Weeks 33 and 34 of Your Pregnancy
When you are 33 weeks pregnant your baby weighs about 4.4 lbs (2 kg) and is around 17.5 inches (44cm) in length. She will be gaining about eight ounces a week and the skinny, wrinkled look is becoming a thing of the past.
At 33 weeks pregnant your baby’s skeleton is continuing to harden but the bones in the skull are not fused together to allow them to slightly overlap whilst travelling through the birth canal.
She will probably have moved into the birth position with the head facing downwards and may descend further into your pelvis at any time within the next six weeks. This position is perfect for blood to flow to your baby’s head and help with brain development.
Presently antibodies are flowing into your baby to create the best possible immune system but if birth occurred now the immaturity of the immune system would probably mean that she would need to spend some time in a sterile environment.
And Mum?
As your baby fills out it may become more and more difficult to find an easy position to sit and sleep in. You’re probably waddling and bumping into things.
You may experience some aches and pains and even some numbness in your hands and wrists. The tissues of your wrists can retain fluid which increases pressure in the carpal tunnel- a bony canal in your wrist.
Week 34
At 34 weeks pregnant your baby is about 5.25 lbs (2.3kg) and will gain at least two more pounds in the next six weeks. She’s now approximately 18 inches(45cm) long.
Her brain is working enthusiastically forming all of the millions of complex connections needed for learning in the outside world but she is probably sleeping much more and possibly even dreaming.
At 34 weeks pregnant your baby is filling out nicely with the fat needed to regulate body temperature after birth. The lungs are maturing well and healthy babies born from now on should have no problems with breathing.
And Mum?
Around one percent of women may suffer with red itchy welts on the stomach and thighs which is usually due to a condition called PUPP (polymorphic eruptionin pregnancy).
Your GP may prescribe topical moisturisers, steroid cream or ointment and an antihistamine to help reduce the itch.
An intense itchiness all over your body, or on your palms and soles of the feet could be a sign of obstetric cholestasis and you should contact your GP immediately.
Fatigue has probably set in again. Now is the time to take frequent rests and conserve your energy for the big day.
Remember not to jump up too quickly from a sitting position as you may become dizzy. Your baby is preventing your veins from being as efficient as usual at returning blood to the heart and it may be pooling in your lower body causing low blood pressure.
Jessica is a writer, who specializes in writing on early signs of pregnancy, having a baby, baby clubs etc. If you are searching for pregnancy week by week please visit us at Emmasdiary.co.uk.
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