Week 33 of Your Pregnancy
Baby’s Development
If your pregnancy were to be compared to a nine-month flight, you are now officially approaching the runway. Both you and your baby are getting ready for birth and this week marks a very special turning point.
Your fetus has run out of room! You are now carrying the maximum amount of amniotic fluid and your little one simply has no more room to move. The kicking and turning you’ve endured these last weeks will start to slow down, as there is just no space any more! Tired of this cramping, your fetus will start to rotate and assume its delivery position. Some babies decide to turn back or don’t turn at all and in this case, your obstectrian will decide on the proper course of action. If all goes according to plan however, your little one with change direction and begin to descend into your pelvis.
Your baby’s skeleton is almost completely hardened now, but its skull will remain pliable up until birth. The plates that make up her little head aren’t quite fused yet as the journey through the birth canal can be quite a squeeze. By retaining ‘skull flexibility’ the birth process will be easier on both of you. A few months after her birth, her skull will harden and her soft spot slowly disappear.
If you are a first time mom, expect your little one’s head to begin to press against your cervix this week. This can be quite uncomfortable, especially when combined with her kicks and jabs deep in your pelvis!
Your Body and Emotions
Constipation may begin to be particularly bad this week. The amount of progesterone your body is producing actually slows digestion down and as your uterus grows larger by the day, pressure is starting to be placed on your rectum. If you have be taking iron supplements for pregnancy-related anemia, this will only compound the problem. Even though it may be no consolation to you, constipation is one of the most common problems at this stage.
Drinking water and eating lots of fiber rich foods is very important. The fiber and water will create bulk and force your sluggish intestines to expel their contents sooner. Exercise, however annoying, will also make you feel a little better. If you are in a great deal of pain, your doctor may prescribe a pregnancy safe stool softener to help you speed the process along. Whatever you do, don’t struggle on the toilet for a long period of time. Straining to pass stool can cause hemorrhoids (exhausted veins), which can make the pressure from pushing during delivery even worse. Go to the bathroom when your body needs to and don’t force the issue.
If you live in a hot climate or are expecting in mid or late summer, you may notice more swelling due to water retention. The extra water you’re drinking for constipation should help that! If you experience it mainly in your legs, put your feet up higher than your heart for at least twenty minutes a day and massage lightly.
Dad’s Tips
She’s tired, moody and anxious and this is probably starting to rub off on you. You are both facing a major change in your life, one that you can’t possibly go back on and will affect your life and personality in ways you never imagined. Now is not the time to put on a brave front and keep your emotions to yourself. She may be freely expressing her own fears and joys at this point and you need to do the same. It may be hard for you to express a lot of the thoughts you are having at this point, but by sharing them you’ll set the stage for good communication as your relationship changes from lovers to parents. It’s normal to be concerned about how she’ll respond to frank discussions about your insecurities or worries but honesty is, as the saying goes, the best policy. She’ll be impressed by your candor and by sharing your thoughts; you’ll grow even closer together as the due date gets nearer. |
