At 33 weeks pregnant, you’re in the middle of your third trimester and in your eighth month of pregnancy. As your due date approaches, you may become more familiar with pregnancy symptoms like leg cramps, shortness of breath, and Braxton Hicks contractions.
On your radar: sharp baby kicks. By now, your amniotic fluid is nearing its maximum amount. It should reach about 800 ml by 34 weeks before tapering off. You likely have more baby than fluid these days, which means pokes and kicks from your little one can start feeling like painful jabs instead of sweet flutters.
At 33 weeks, your baby is as big as a pineapple. Their brain is almost fully developed, and your thinning uterine walls and stretching belly skin are letting in more light. These developments mean your little one might be able to tell the difference between day and night.
33 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Overheating
Your body is working hard to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, and your metabolic rate may be through the roof at 33 weeks pregnant. This can leave you feeling hot, hot, hot – and sweating more than ever.
Symptoms of overheating include warm skin, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, and nausea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dress in light layers and make sure to drink plenty of water to combat dehydration and overheating. Your body temperature should return to normal sometime after your baby is born.
It’s not clear how overheating impacts fetal development, so make sure to reach out to your health care team if you find yourself feeling significantly warmer than usual.
Swollen Labia
Swelling of the labia – the lips that surround the opening of the vagina – is normal (even if it may be a little surprising to see at first). Increased blood flow, added pressure from your growing uterus, and hormonal changes can cause this swelling. Labia swelling might not be painful, but it can sometimes cause itching, soreness, and general discomfort. Hormonal changes can also cause your labia to appear darker than usual.
You can help alleviate discomfort by changing positions frequently and not sitting or standing for long periods. A supportive undergarment with gentle compression like our Bamboo Seamless No Rub Thigh Saver can help keep swelling under control. You can also apply a cloth-covered perineal cold pack to the sensitive area to reduce discomfort.
Back Pain
With a bigger belly comes more strain on your back. If you’re experiencing back pain during the third trimester, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms, especially in the later months, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
As your uterus grows, it weakens the abdominal muscles and causes your posture to change, putting more strain on your back.
Try to do stretches like standing with your hands on your hips and arching your back about 15 to 20 degrees to help with back pain. You may also want to check out a prenatal yoga class online or in person. Prenatal yoga is a great way to relax and may help ease some of your aches and pains. Yoga can also help your body prepare for labor and delivery.
If your back pain is severe, talk to your doctor or midwife. They can work with you to rule out other causes of pain.
Baby on Board
At week 33, your baby is around 17 inches long and weighs about 4.5 pounds. They have likely reached the length they will be at birth but will continue to pack on the pounds until they’re born.
Under Construction: Soft Spots
Your baby’s bones have been hardening, but their skull will remain soft. The pliable plates of bone in your baby’s skull will make it easier for them to squeeze down the birth canal.
Your baby’s head may look a little misshapen at birth, but you usually don’t need to worry. The soft spots will fuse and harden during the first two years of life.
Under Construction: Thirst
Sucking and swallowing are occupying a lot of your baby’s time these days. They’re drinking up to a pint of amniotic fluid a day, which helps develop their digestive system.
Another benefit of drinking amniotic fluid? It contains antibodies that help strengthen your baby’s immune system.
Under Construction: Gaining Weight
Now that most of their organs are fully developed, your baby is focused on gaining weight. In fact, they’re likely gaining about half a pound a week.
What to Wear This Week
Pregnant bellies differ from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Show off your unique baby bump in our cozy Chloe Chunky Cardigan Sweater (provided you’re not in the midst of a pregnancy hot flash!). You'll reach for this comfortable cardigan over and over again. So soft that it feels like a hug, this maternity cardigan is a wardrobe staple.
It can be challenging to find a supportive and comfortable bra for your changing breasts. That's why we designed our Signature Sublime® Contour Nursing & Maternity Bra. This wireless nursing bra is comfortable, shaping, and supportive without digging in. This maternity and nursing T-shirt bra pairs perfectly with our nursing tees and nursing tanks.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice that has been medically reviewed. Please reach out to your midwife or doctor with any questions.
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