At 33 weeks pregnant, you are deep in the third trimester and close to the final stretch. Baby movements are usually strong now, and the baby may already be head down, although position can still change.
This week follows 32 weeks pregnant and leads into 34 weeks pregnant. If you want to compare dates or due date estimates, use the pregnancy calculator.
The baby may be around 41 cm long and weigh roughly 2.0-2.2 kg, though size estimates vary. Fat stores continue to build, the skin is smoother, and the body is looking more like a newborn.
Movements can feel more forceful, even if the baby has less room to roll. The baby can react to light, blink, practise swallowing and keep maturing the brain, lungs and temperature control systems.
If the baby is head down, kicks may be felt higher under the ribs. If the baby is not head down yet, there is still time for position to change, so providers usually keep checking.
Tiredness, swelling, Braxton Hicks, back pain, shortness of breath and more pressure in the pelvis are common at this stage. Some people also notice trouble sleeping or more frequent trips to the bathroom as the uterus continues to grow.
Standing for long periods can feel harder, and lying flat on your back may cause dizziness for some people. That is usually because the enlarged uterus can compress major blood vessels, so side-lying is often more comfortable.
Call your maternity provider if you have regular painful contractions, bleeding, fluid leakage, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or a clear reduction in movement later in pregnancy.
Head down means the baby is in a vertex position with the head nearest the birth canal.
Braxton Hicks are irregular tightening sensations in the uterus that are not the same as true labour.
Support person means the person you want to have with you during labour and birth if possible.
Thirty-three weeks pregnant is often described as about 8 months pregnant, but weeks are more precise than months.
33 weeks pregnant is in the third trimester.
Many babies are head down by 33 weeks, but some are still changing position. Your provider may keep checking presentation, especially if the baby has not settled yet.
The baby is bigger and has less room, so kicks and stretches can feel stronger and more noticeable even though big rolls may be fewer.
Watch for regular painful contractions, bleeding, fluid leakage, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or a clear reduction in movement later in pregnancy.
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