👶Your baby this week
Your baby is about as long as a baby steriliser (~43.7 cm) and weighs just over 4 lb. They’ll keep gaining around **½ lb per week** now as they fill out before birth.
Baby’s **brain and nervous system are fully developed**, and they’re building their **own immune system** with antibodies passed from you.
The **bones are hardening**, but skull plates stay soft and flexible to make birth easier, these will fuse together after the first year.
Amniotic fluid levels have peaked, so movements may feel **sharper or stronger** as there’s now more baby than fluid.
Baby can **distinguish day from night**, opening eyes when awake and closing them during sleep, and is establishing **sleep-wake rhythms**.
Baby swallows and drinks up to a **pint of amniotic fluid per day**, strengthening their digestive system.
Their body continues to gain **fat for warmth**, and their skin is smoother and less wrinkled than before.
🌸Your body this week
You might be feeling heavier and more tired now, you’re carrying several extra kilograms and your bump is larger than ever.
You may experience **Braxton Hicks contractions**, short tightenings over your bump that ease with rest or position changes.
A **heaviness or pressure in the pelvis** can be a sign baby is settling into a head-down position, ready for birth.
It’s common to feel **short of breath**, as your uterus presses on your lungs. Good posture and side-sleeping can help.
As your baby grows, you may find **sleep and comfort** harder to come by, use extra pillows for support.
You may also feel more **clumsy or off-balance** as your centre of gravity shifts.
💛Symptoms you might notice
Every pregnancy is different. These are common around week 33 — speak to your midwife if anything worries you.
Braxton Hicks contractions
Irregular tightenings that last 20–30 seconds are normal. They shouldn’t be painful or regular, if they become so, contact your midwife or hospital.
Pelvic pressure
A heavier feeling low in the pelvis often means baby is moving into position. Rest, gentle movement, and pelvic floor exercises can help ease discomfort.
Shortness of breath
Your lungs have less room as baby grows. Stand tall, slow down, and sleep propped on your side to breathe easier.
Heartburn & indigestion
Eat small, frequent meals, avoid spicy or greasy food, and remain upright after eating. Ask your midwife about safe antacids.
Backache & ligament pain
Try gentle stretches, prenatal yoga, heat packs, and supportive shoes. A maternity support belt may also help.
Leg cramps & swelling
Stretch before bed, stay hydrated, and rest with legs elevated. Call your midwife if swelling is sudden or severe.
Insomnia & tiredness
Hormonal changes, aches, and anxiety can keep you awake. Try a warm bath, milk, or soothing music before bed.
Pregnancy brain & clumsiness
It’s normal to feel forgetful or off-balance, make lists, slow down, and take your time with movements.
Vaginal discharge
White, milky discharge is normal. Contact your midwife if it’s watery, bloody, or has an odour (could indicate infection or waters breaking).
✨Tips for week 33
Kick counts
Movements should remain consistent. Count baby’s kicks daily, you should feel 10 within 2 hours during you’s active period. Contact your maternity unit if movements change or slow down.
RSV & whooping cough vaccines
If not already done, ask your midwife about **RSV** (offered until labour) and **whooping cough** (ideally before week 33) vaccines for your baby’s protection.
Group B Strep awareness
GBS is a common bacteria that can affect newborns. Ask your midwife about testing and treatment during labour if you’re a carrier.
Prepare your hospital bag
Pack now in case baby arrives early. Include maternity notes, comfy clothes, snacks, phone charger, toiletries, baby clothes, nappies, and pads.
Emergency contact list
Save your hospital’s labour ward number, partner’s contact, taxi details, and address of your birth location. Keep this written down too.
Car seat safety
Fit an approved newborn car seat before the birth. Practise installing it, baby must always travel in a properly fitted seat from day one.
Pelvic floor exercises
Keep doing short, frequent squeezes throughout the day to strengthen muscles and help recovery after birth.
Healthy eating & omega-3
Add DHA-rich foods like salmon, sardines, and DHA-enriched eggs for baby’s brain and vision. Avoid high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, bigeye tuna).
Vitamin D & hydration
Take **10 micrograms of vitamin D daily** and drink plenty of water to reduce swelling and fatigue.
Exercise & rest
Aim for gentle movement such as walking or prenatal yoga. Rest whenever you need to and pace yourself.
Mental wellbeing
It’s normal to feel anxious about birth or tired of waiting. Talk to your midwife, partner, or friends for reassurance and support.
When to call for help
Call your maternity unit for regular painful contractions, reduced movements, bleeding, fluid leak, severe headache, or sudden swelling.