At the 33rd week of pregnancy, the weight of the unborn child is about 2 kg, and the height is about 43 cm. During this period, it is extremely important to avoid any health problems so as not to provoke the onset of premature birth.
What does mom feel
The size of the abdomen at the 33rd week is consistently large, and weight gain can reach 12-14 kg. In this state, it becomes difficult even to move, not to mention some more serious actions. It is best to follow a home regimen by taking daily short walks in the fresh air. Prolonged physical activity can lead to severe swelling in the legs and vasodilation under the skin.
Violation of the movement of blood through the vessels can also occur on the hands, so you need to do a periodic warm-up, paying special attention to the joints. In addition, often expectant mothers begin to suffer from heartburn and constipation. In this regard, it is worth introducing more fermented milk products, fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits into the diet, as well as excluding all high-calorie foods. You should also wear elastic bandages on your wrists, wear special orthopedic bandages and bandages.
Now it is important to pay attention to the baby's movements in the belly. Try to get into a comfortable position and start counting the thrusts. In two hours, there should be at least ten of them. If you count a smaller number, be sure to tell your doctor about it: he may prescribe CTG to check the fetal heart activity. Some mothers feel their belly twitch sometimes, but without the tension, like during training contractions. It is believed that this is a manifestation of the hiccups of a child who swallows amniotic fluid. You shouldn't worry about this phenomenon.
Possible complications
In late pregnancy, you need to be wary of the following dangerous symptoms:
- Vaginal discharge of a curdled consistency with an unpleasant odor. This may be a sign of pathological processes in the genitourinary system.
- Profuse watery discharge from the genital tract, sometimes with blood. The reason for this phenomenon is cracks or ruptures of the fetal bladder.
- Frequent paroxysmal contractions are a signal of premature birth.
In all such cases, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance, as well as to remember and record any worsening of your condition and report them to the doctor during antenatal clinics. Especially it is necessary to be wary of such complications as premature (prenatal) placental abruption, which sometimes occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. The main symptoms of this are as follows:
- severe abdominal pain;
- bleeding from the vagina;
- a change in the shape of the abdomen due to the accumulation of blood in the uterus.
With partial detachment of the placenta, a woman can still deliver the child, but with complete separation, the fetus may die from suffocation. When characteristic symptoms appear, an ambulance must be called immediately. Sometimes doctors have to perform a forced labor or a caesarean section to save the baby's life.
Child development
At the current stage, the main changes in the child's body are constant weight gain and growth. Most of the systems and organs work in full mode:
- the heart actively pumps blood and demonstrates a stable 120-160 beats per minute;
- the body produces various hormones to regulate the basic life processes;
- the brain reflexively controls the movements of the muscles and limbs (the baby will learn conscious body movements after birth);
- the hair on the head thickens and grows.
Some organs are still inactive. For example, the baby's lungs still perform only part of their functions, and the eyes do not see the surrounding picture. The mineralization of the bones and cartilage of the fetus continues due to the absorption of calcium from the mother's food. It is advisable that the baby has already taken the optimal position for the upcoming birth and is positioned head down, crossing the legs and arms. But if that hasn't happened yet, there is still plenty of time.
Surveys and recommendations
Usually, in late pregnancy, pregnant women are examined at least once every two weeks. General blood and urine tests are performed 2-3 days before the visit. The planned ultrasound scan should already be completed by the 33rd week. If it was missed for some reason, the doctor will definitely prescribe it to check how well the fetus is developing, in what condition the placenta is. In addition, during this period, cardiotocography and dopplerometry may be prescribed.
The mom-to-be should eat a healthy diet based on natural and non-fatty foods. Fried, salty and spicy foods, as well as tea and coffee are completely excluded from the diet. If you have heartburn, you should often eat cereals and drink jelly. If you suffer from constipation, it is worth using prunes, which stimulate the contraction of the intestinal muscles, and if hemorrhoids are detected or suspected, practice regular washing with warm water and use candles based on chamomile and sea buckthorn. Take more vitamin C to avoid catching colds during a crucial period.
In case of cramps in the calf muscles, massage of the limbs should be performed. During the day, you also need to stretch your hands and fingers. Don't forget to take care of your breasts, thighs, abdomen and buttocks. To do this, it is enough to use any cream or lotion designed to combat stretch marks. If colostrum has already begun to flow, be sure to use bra pads and change them regularly to prevent inflammation in a humid environment.
Sex at this stage of pregnancy is undesirable, although if the child's condition is not in danger, you can still engage in it periodically, observing extreme caution. It is also worth regulating your psychological state: many women experience a real fear of the upcoming childbirth, and fatigue from a prolonged pregnancy often causes depression or stress. Communication with loved ones and their support, as well as constant self-adjustment for the upcoming obstetric procedure, helps to overcome your fears.
You can come up with a name for the child, start repairs in the future nursery, and also transfer your work affairs to deputies if you have not already been provided with paid maternity leave. Finally, communicate with the child every day, telling him different stories or fairy tales: this perfectly brings the mother closer to the baby even before his birth and helps the baby to recognize the mother's voice.
