Your body
What to expect
You are expanding! You are also perhaps getting very very tired carrying nearly 2 extra Kgs! You could be feeling your baby’s pokes and kicks more sharply now. You may also be getting very little sleep.You could be anxious and thinking a lot about the upcoming birth – worrying what you need to do before baby comes. That's quite common.
Your baby
What to expect
Your baby is the size of a Small Pumpkin (about 42 cms long and 1.75 Kilos in weight).
Your baby
What to expect
By week 33, baby’s brain and nervous system are fully developed. Your baby can make out the difference between night and day. Baby’s bones other than the skull bone are also hardening up. Your baby is gaining weight rapidly, nearly half a pound a week. His or her own immune system is developing, which will help fight off infections.
Taking care
Tips
- Make provision for extra space around you e.g. when sitting down at a table, getting into a car or public transport. This is because you are expanding all the time and it is difficult to judge how big you are!
- Prepare for birth. Get your labour bag packed. Make sure you have all the important numbers stored in your phone e.g. hospital number, your doctors number and full hospital address.
- Avoid exercising, eating or drinking too close to bedtime. Have a warm cup of milk before going to bed.
- Have calcium rich foods like milk and yogurt.
- Test for foetal movement twice a day.
Ask your doctor
Questions to ask
- What position is my baby in? Is my baby okay?
- What are my options for pain relief during birth?
- I drink two mugs of tea a day. Is that okay?
- I don’t feel any contractions like other pregnant women. Is that normal?
Your to do list
Actions
- Make travel arrangements in advance to ensure to get to the hospital in time when in labour.
- Book an antenatal appointment with doctor.
- Discuss and prepare for labour and birth with husband or a family member.
- Telephone your mother or best friend to chat about how you feel and the emotions you are going through.