7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 33
Here it is, week 33 - only seven more weeks to go! Although it seems like the big day will never arrive, you might be feeling a bit rushed to get everything ready for the momentous homecoming. When you bring a baby into your home you want everything to be just right. Take the time this week to sit down with your partner and decide what needs to get accomplished. You never know, the stork may drop by sooner than you think!
Week Overview
Baby is filling out, growing longer and getting ready to get out! In fact, baby will gain a third to half of birth weight during the next seven weeks. Your baby now has surfactant, which helps baby breathe after birth, coating the alveoli in the lungs. After this week, baby will have less chance of apnea of prematurity.
By this week, the amniotic fluid is at the highest level in the pregnancy. The amount will remain constant until delivery. Rapid brain growth has increased the baby's head size approximately 3/8 of an inch this week. Fat continues to accumulate which turns the baby's skin color from red to pink.
Baby's Physical Development
- Crown-to-rump, baby measures 12.0 inches long and weighs about 4.4 pounds
- Total length is approximately 19.4 inches
- Almost 2 pints of amniotic fluid in the uterus
- Testicles descend into the scrotum
Your uterus is about 5.2 inches above your bellybutton. You will be gaining roughly one pound a week for the next few weeks. About half of this weight goes straight to the baby. Your fetus, placenta, and uterus, along with the amniotic fluid continue to get larger, causing you to feel as though you're running out of room. The rapidly increasing weight of the baby leaves little room for your stomach and may cause increased heartburn. To alleviate symptoms of heartburn try eating smaller meals, but don't skip meals. You and your baby need to the calories and nutrition to be strong for labor and delivery.
Time to Start Thinking About
As your due date gets closer, do thoughts of labor leave you more than a little uneasy? It's perfectly natural to be apprehensive about any medical procedure, especially labor and delivery. Take this time to educate yourself about the different stages of labor, and learn what to expect. Also, make a list of questions you have concerning labor to ask your doctor. Being prepared for labor will calm your fears and help you focus on a safe delivery and healthy baby.
Tips for Mom
You may start to experience contractions in the next few weeks. Don't get too excited, you are probably experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions. Characteristically these contractions are mild, do not increase in intensity, or occur at regular intervals. These contractions do not signify you are in labor. Your uterus naturally contracts throughout your entire pregnancy to not only ensure sufficient blood supply, but also to encourage suitable growth which accommodates your baby. You may hear this referred to as false labor. If these contractions make you uncomfortable try walking or relaxation techniques.
Placental Abruption is a serious condition your physician will be watching for during the final trimester. Placental abruption is the separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. This may involve partial or total separation from the uterine wall. This condition is most severe when the placenta totally separates from the uterine wall. When this occurs the fetus cannot receive blood from the umbilical cord, which is attached to the placenta.
You need to be aware of the symptoms of placental abruption. Symptoms include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Tenderness of the uterus
- Fetal distress
- Tightening or contraction of uterus
- Premature labor
This condition may rapidly become an emergency that threatens both the mother and the baby. Call your health care provider if symptoms of placental abruption develop.
Tips for Dad
Dad, you might want to consider keeping your gas tank full and have an extra set of keys handy from now until delivery. Plus, make sure your doctor's phone number is ready and waiting by the phone. You may even want to keep a cell phone or pager handy if you are concerned about Mom going into labor while you are out of pocket. At work, have a plan of action ready in case you have to make that mad dash to the hospital.
Complications to Watch For
Most pregnancies occur without any complications or problems. But there are times when your physician should be contacted immediately. The following list contains symptoms to be aware of during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe swelling of the fingers and face
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of fluid from the vagina, usually a gush of fluid, but sometimes a trickle or continual wetness
- A big change in the baby's movements or a lack of movement
- High fever (more than 101.6F;38.7C) or chills
- Severe vomiting or an inability to keep food or liquid down
- Blurring of vision
- Painful urination
- A headache that won't go away or a severe headache
- An injury or accident, such as a fall or automobile accident, that causes you concern about the well-being of your pregnancy
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505