At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby can weigh up to 4.2 pounds or more. He or she may be measuring 17.2 inches in length (or longer) from head to heel. With each day that passes, he or she is zooming towards his or her birth length and weight.
Your baby's brain is busy maturing and increasing in size. Parts of the brain are starting to function, including the auditory cortex (the area of the brain that's responsible for making sense of sounds), visual cortex (the region of the brain that processes visual information), and Broca's area (the part of the brain that's involved in speech and language processing).
Fact Fun: At 33 weeks pregnant, the brain has developed to the point that your baby is starting to have the ability to interpret sights, sounds, and even distinguish language. How cool is that?
By 33 weeks pregnant, your baby's losing his or her wrinkled look. As fat begins to accumulate beneath the skin's surface, your baby's is becoming smoother and plumping up. From pregnancy week 33 until you deliver, your baby will be concentrating his or her efforts on gaining more weight.
Your little bundle of joy's fingernails might reach the tip of his or her fingers. Fortunately, there is no danger of your child accidentally scratching his or her precious face – his or her nails are very soft, as a result of their constant immersion in amniotic fluid.
At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby's bones are hardening, but the bones in his or her skull will remain soft. The bones in the skull need to easily move and overlap, so that your baby's head can fit through the birth canal. (This is the reason that some babies are born with a "conehead.")
Helpful Tip: Make sure that you eat plenty of calcium rich foods. If you don't have enough calcium in your diet, your baby will rob it from your bones in order to strengthen his or her own.
The level of amniotic fluid in your womb has reached its maximum. By 33 weeks pregnant, your little bundle of joy is swallowing close to one liter of amniotic fluid. This helps develop your baby's digestive system.
Your baby doesn't have a button nose anymore. The bridge of your child's nose has formed, and the face is getting chubbier.
By 33 weeks pregnant, your uterus is a little over 5 inches above your navel. You have one month – only four weeks – until your baby is full-term and ready for life on the outside. You should expect your uterus to get larger, and your belly to expand even more in the weeks to come.
If you're pregnant with twins, you're huge! Your belly is the size of a full-term woman at 40 weeks pregnant. You should expect the signs of labor to strike at any second. Half of all women carrying twins will deliver early.
Helpful Tip: You might consider pre-registering at the hospital at pregnancy 33 weeks. Pre-registration will help speed up the admitting process once you go into labor.
Since your belly is so big at 33 weeks pregnant, waddling is becoming a part of your daily life. If you love painting your toes, that's an impossible task now. You are probably increasingly uncomfortable, and even finding a comfy position to sit in is hard. Sleeping is a struggle, too.
Though you're feeling so uncomfortable, just keep in mind that you'll be holding a beautiful baby in your arms in less than two months. Spend some time rubbing your belly and enjoy your baby's kicks.
At 33 weeks pregnant, it's probably a struggle to get anything done. Fatigue is probably hitting you hard.
Carrying around the weight of a watermelon in your belly can really take its toll on your energy levels. Try to get as much rest as you can in this final trimester.
Swelling (edema) is another common pregnancy symptom at 33 weeks pregnant. You might feel like your ankles and feet are never going back to the same size. Swelling is often worse if you live in a hot climate, or it's the middle of summer. Remember to drink as much water as possible, and to elevate your feet when you can. This can help minimize swelling.
Helpful Tip: Mild swelling in your hands, ankles, and hands is often normal. However, if you experience sudden or excessive swelling, this may be a sign of preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in your urine). Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can put your baby's health at risk
Carpel tunnel syndrome can also be problematic at 33 weeks pregnant. You probably have carpel tunnel if there's any pain, numbness or tingling in your fingers and wrists. In the third trimester, the tissues supporting your hands and wrists can swell, and this can cause a condition resembling carpel tunnel syndrome. If you work in a job that requires frequent typing, your healthcare provider might suggest you wear a brace to help relieve some of your discomfort. You should also take frequent breaks to help reduce the discomfort in your hands and wrists.
Frequent urination is quite annoying, but a common symptom to expect at 33 weeks pregnant. Since your uterus is huge now, it adds pressure to your bladder and makes you feel like you have to urinate all the time. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to prevent this pregnancy symptom. Just keep in mind that it'll go away after your baby goes away.
Braxton Hicks contractions are occurring more frequently at 33 weeks pregnant. At this stage of pregnancy, these pre-labor contractions can confuse you and lead to false alarms and false runs to the birthing center or hospital. Braxton Hicks contractions can be painful, occur more frequently, and occur rather close together. A good rule of thumb – if your contractions go away if you change positions or rest, then they are Braxton Hicks. True contractions will continue to plague you no matter what you do. Plus, true contractions will be regular, and they'll get closer together and become more intense with the passing of time.
If you're worried about the contractions you feel, call your physician or healthcare provider. He or she can give you a more definite answer.
You may have gained up to 28 pounds by 33 weeks pregnant, though some women will have gained more. During this point in pregnancy, many women find that they gain weight faster than at any other time. This is partly due to the rapid growth your baby is experiencing. Most babies will put on 5-9 ounces every week from this point out!
At pregnancy 33 weeks, you should probably consider packing your hospital bag. Your baby may be four weeks away from being "full-term,” but you just never know when you go into labor. Preterm labor affects 1 in 10 babies in the United States, so you want to be prepared for labor and delivery at a moment's notice.
When contractions start, or your water breaks, you don't want to be rushing around to gather what you need for your hospital stay. For a normal vaginal birth, you should expect to stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours after your baby is born. You'll probably stay in the hospital for a few extra days after a cesarean section.
When packing your hospital bag, you'll want to take any items that will make your labor more comfortable – such as your favorite toiletries, your favorite brand of panty liners (the hospital will provide these, but your own might be more comfy), a few sticks of lip balm, your own bathrobe or gown, a nursing bra and nursing pads, your own pillow, and items to help you relax during childbirth (such as your favorite music or reading material). Be sure to bring a receiving blanket for baby, his or her first outfit, and an extra change of clothes for yourself.
By 33 weeks of pregnancy most women, if not having a planned cesarean delivery, probably have started wondering a little bit about labor and delivery. Labor occurs in very distinct stages. Some healthcare providers divide labor into three stages and include an 'early phase' whereas others divide labor into four stages, which considers the early stage as the first stage of labor. Below we have broken labor down into four distinct stages.
Remember that the rupture of membranes, also known as your water breaking, can occur at any point before or during labor. Some women will start having regular contractions before their water breaks, but sometimes, your water can break before you have contractions.
Stage One
During the early stage of labor (stage one), sometimes referred to as the 'latent' stage, your cervix will slowly start dilating and effacing. Many women don't even recognize the regular contractions that help facilitate this process because they often resemble Braxton Hicks contractions. The latent phase begins when contractions come at regular intervals. Many women will start out having contractions that come every 10 to 15 minutes and last approximately 30 seconds.
During the early stages of labor, you may notice what is called a bloody show. This is a mucous discharge that is tinged with blood, and it is a perfectly common occurrence during early labor. Other women will lose their mucous plug during this time. The mucous plug actually seals off the cervix during pregnancy to prevent infection and invasion of foreign substances. Some women consider loss of the mucous plug a sure sign that labor has begun, but a woman can actually start losing her mucous plug weeks before delivery. The bloody show is a much better predictor of imminent labor than loss of the mucous plug.
The early stage of labor is often the longest. Generally during this time, the cervix will dilate up to 3 centimeters.
Stage Two
During stage two, you enter what is referred to as the active phase of labor. This is where all the fun begins. During this time, your body will be preparing aggressively to deliver your baby. Typically, you will start experiencing contractions that become frequent, longer, and stronger. This will cause your cervix to dilate much faster. If you start having regular and painful contractions that last for at least a minute, and occur every five minutes or so for about an hour, you are considered in the active stages of labor.
By this point in time, you should call your healthcare provider to find out if they want you to wait at home or come to the hospital. Most women who live far away from the hospital should consider leaving at this point in time. Second time moms may also be encouraged to get to their healthcare facility sooner, because this stage of labor can go quite swiftly the second time around!
Most first time moms will be in active labor for 6-8 hours, though this can vary.
During the active phase of labor you will want to concentrate on your breathing and relaxation techniques. You may find your contractions get strong enough that you are unable to talk through them. If you have taken any prenatal classes, you will find the techniques offered come in handy.
Many women opt for pain medication during the second stage of labor. At this point, medication is not likely to slow things down.
Transition
After you have been in active labor for some time, your body will enter the transition period. During this time contractions become strong and typically come on every two to three minutes. Most women will find their contractions last a minute or more. During this phase, the cervix will dilate from 8 to 10 centimeters.
The transition period can take anywhere from a few hours to a few minutes. Typically this is the most painful part of labor. If you don't have any pain relief, you may feel nauseous and dizzy during this part of labor.
Stage Three
Once your cervix is fully dilated, your baby will descend into the pelvis and you will be ready to push out your baby. Stage three is the period of time when pushing begins. Most first time moms will push for an hour or more, though it isn't uncommon for women to push for just 20 minutes. You may feel an urge to
push involuntarily.
Many women find this stage of labor exhausting and exciting at the same time. Every contraction that is coming helps push your baby through the birth canal. For some women, the baby will descend rapidly, whereas others may take their time.
Your baby's head will advance down the canal until it reaches the widest part and becomes visible, This is referred to as crowning. At this point, usually everyone starts sharing tears of joy, as your baby is about to make his appearance in the world. Your doctor may note that your baby has a full head of hair, or may comment that your little one is as bald as can be. Right after your baby's head is delivered, your healthcare provider will suction the baby's mouth and nose. Typically with the next contraction, your baby's shoulders and body will be delivered.
Stage Four
Believe it or not, you are still technically in labor after your baby is born. After your baby is born, your uterus will continue to contract to help separate the placenta from the wall of the uterus. Once this happens, you may have to gently push to help deliver the placenta. Typically, these mild contractions occur a few minutes after delivery. For most women, the entire process takes less than 15 minutes. Most women don't even pay attention to this stage of delivery because they are consumed with the sight of their beautiful newborn baby.
There you have it, all the steps of labor easily outlined. Now you can start thinking about your big day, just a few short weeks away!
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By 33 weeks pregnant, your uterus is a little over 5 inches above your navel. You have one month – only four weeks – until your baby is full-term and ready for life on the outside. You should expect your uterus to get larger, and your belly to expand even more in the weeks to come. 
Carrying around the weight of a watermelon in your belly can really take its toll on your energy levels. Try to get as much rest as you can in this final trimester. 
At pregnancy 33 weeks, you should probably consider packing your hospital bag. Your baby may be four weeks away from being "full-term,” but you just never know when you go into labor. Preterm labor affects 1 in 10 babies in the United States, so you want to be prepared for labor and delivery at a moment's notice.
By 33 weeks of pregnancy most women, if not having a planned 
