What happens to the fetus and the expectant mother at 33 weeks of pregnancy?

As they get ready for the last few weeks of pregnancy before delivery, the mother and the unborn child are changing significantly at 33 weeks of pregnancy. The infant is developing quickly and learning new things every day that will help them prepare for life beyond the womb. As the body prepares to support the developing baby, the expectant mother is becoming more aware of the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy.

The baby is steadily gaining weight and their organs are almost fully developed. Because there is less room to move, movements may feel stronger and more pronounced. Additionally, you might observe alterations in your infant’s sleeping and waking patterns, which occasionally coincide with your own daily schedule.

During this stage, the mother may experience symptoms such as increased fatigue, back pain, and increased frequency of bathroom visits due to the baby pressing on her bladder. It’s critical to prepare for the impending birth while simultaneously making sure you’re comfortable and getting enough sleep. As the big day draws near, you may experience a mixture of emotions, including anxiety and excitement.

Fetus	Expectant Mother
The baby is around 4.5 pounds and about 17 inches long. The lungs and brain continue to develop, and the baby is gaining weight rapidly.	She may feel more tired and experience swelling in her feet and ankles. Back pain and discomfort may increase as the baby grows.
Movements are stronger and more noticeable, and the baby can now respond to light and sounds.	Shortness of breath may be common, and she might have more frequent urination due to the baby"s position.

At 33 weeks pregnant, the mother goes through both physical and emotional changes as the baby grows quickly and gets ready for delivery. The fetus, which is currently about the size of a pineapple, is growing heavier, strengthening its bones, and maturing its lungs. The baby’s movements may feel more forceful inside the womb because of the restricted space. The mother may experience worsening back pain, breathlessness, and swelling, but she may also become more excited about the impending birth. For the mother’s and the baby’s health at this point, maintaining regular checkups and staying healthy are essential.

How many months is that?

A full eighth obstetric month plus an additional week is equivalent to 33 weeks. This time frame also matches the fetus’s age, which is 31 weeks from conception.

This characteristic results from the fact that obstetricians employ a different method of calculation: in clinical settings, the age of the fetus is determined by starting the first day of the woman’s most recent menstrual cycle, a process known as "obstetric week." Physicians from a variety of specialties use it.

Features of the condition of a pregnant woman

The female body starts to gradually prepare for childbirth around week 32 or 33 of pregnancy. A woman’s hormone background varies daily, which adds to the altered way her internal organs function. These adjustments are required to ensure the baby’s timely delivery.

Physiological changes

A woman’s body starts to actively prepare for the impending birth and the next phase of lactation at 33 weeks of pregnancy, along with many other functional changes.

When a woman is pregnant, her blood starts to contain more prolactin. This hormone has an impact on the pelvic ligamentous and muscular system. Elasticity in muscles rises. These adjustments are required to guarantee that the infant does not sustain severe harm during birth.

Characteristic alterations in the mammary glands are partially caused by an increase in the blood level of prolactin. The breasts hurt and get bigger.

Colostrum can form in a pregnant woman at this stage. This particular liquid is required for the baby’s initial postpartum feeding. The chemical makeup of colostrum varies over time. It modifies in accordance with the baby’s physiology. Colostrum is initially thicker. After that, it becomes more liquid in consistency.

Obstetrician-gynecologists must ascertain the weight gain of expectant mothers during their required consultations. This research approach is straightforward but instructive. It aids the physician in evaluating the expectant mother’s overall physical state. The doctor assesses the intensity of the baby’s growth in the mother’s womb based on indirect signs as well.

Pregnant women should closely monitor their weight gain, according to doctors. The obtained indicators are documented in the medical file, which subsequently aids in evaluating the dynamics of a given pregnancy’s course.

Women’s overall weight gain varies depending on a number of factors, such as the expectant mother’s history of internal organ chronic diseases. During the first 33 weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s weight can rise by 10 to 13 kg.

The expectant mother shouldn’t become alarmed if her weight gain is somewhat less or more than the accepted norms, as this clinical indicator is only approximative. It is far more crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation of the baby’s development and health status. Doctors employ additional auxiliary research methods for this.

Sensations

A woman begins to feel her unborn child very strongly in the 33rd week of pregnancy. By this point, the mother and child have truly formed a physical and emotional bond.

Many women report feeling a variety of bodily sensations at this point in their pregnancy, along with significant behavioral changes. The range of new symptoms that are appearing is designed by nature. This is required in order for the female body to acquire the new attribute of motherhood.

About the nervous system and psyche

The expectant mother can withstand psycho-emotional influences much less well at this point in her pregnancy. This ultimately results in a woman finding it harder to handle stress.

The brain’s current mental activity is already focused on getting ready for the impending birth. Numerous women’s reviews suggest that they found it increasingly difficult to process a lot of information at this point in their pregnancy.

This era is also marked by a decline in memory and absentmindedness. A woman finds it extremely difficult to focus on completing multiple tasks at once. An expectant mother may become fairly quickly exhausted from intense mental activity and feel the need for additional rest.

Severe stress can cause the blood vessels in the brain to spasm. In this scenario, the expectant mother might experience vertigo. This uncomfortable symptom usually goes away entirely when you rest or lie flat.

Many pregnant women feel sleepy during the day, which is partly due to shifting hormone levels. This symptom may worsen daily. The opposite is more common at night: having trouble falling asleep. Insomnia is a common complaint among women. This symptom typically manifests more prominently in expectant mothers who are predisposed to elevated levels of anxiety and suspicion.

Many women start to feel moody at this point in the pregnancy. Numerous issues are comparable to those that surfaced during the first trimester.

The nervous system changes that a woman experiences during this time are mostly brought on by getting ready for the impending birth. As a result, the expectant mother starts to worry more frequently and "cry" over small things. She starts to feel more nervous and concerned.

Additionally, some women may experience the opposite symptom: apathy. They appear quieter and slower from the outside. It is inappropriate to attribute such changes to any form of pathology. The woman’s hormonal background will alter following the birth of the child, and all of the symptoms will eventually return to normal.

About the cardiovascular system

Blood flow indicators in the major blood vessels are crucial at this point in the pregnancy. The infant gets all the elements required for growth and development from them. During pregnancy, a woman’s blood flow should also be adequate to support her own internal organs’ increased requirements.

There are various ways to evaluate an expectant mother’s cardiovascular system performance. A therapist’s standard clinical examination is among the most basic types of research. Without a doubt, the doctor will take your blood pressure and count your pulse during the consultation.

A specialist must evaluate any departures from the norm. Given that the female body is under the most stress during pregnancy, it frequently happens that the first signs of pathologies manifest in pregnant women.

Blood pressure is a crucial cardiovascular system indicator. It can be measured when visiting a doctor or at home.

This stage of pregnancy can cause elevated blood pressure in some women, a condition known as arterial hypertension.

The doctor offers a series of recommendations, many of which are related to bringing blood pressure back to normal. In cases where modifying daily routines alone is not sufficient to achieve normal blood pressure, prescription medications may be necessary.

Antihypertensive medications cannot be taken without a doctor’s prescription. This may have very harmful effects on the unborn child as well as the expectant mother.

About the gastrointestinal tract

A woman starts to notice particular changes in her digestive system’s operation at this point in the pregnancy. For instance, gastric juice starts to become more acidic. This ultimately results in heartburn for expectant mothers. This symptom typically manifests in the evening. Erroneous eating habits also play a role in the development of heartburn.

Adverse symptoms are more likely to occur in women with gastrointestinal diseases, such as chronic gastritis. Women who have increased acidity experience stomach pain.

Women are more susceptible to intestinal disorders due to disruptions in the digestive system. Constipation is a common complaint among expectant mothers. In certain women, the onset of hemorrhoids aggravates the overall condition. In this instance, poor diet simply makes the negative symptoms worse.

It is crucial that a pregnant woman’s daily diet include all the nutrients necessary for both her and her unborn child’s health. Intestinal microflora must be restored to normal with an adequate supply of fibrous fiber. It’s abundant in a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The pregnant mother’s diet will help her deal with constipation by incorporating more plant-based foods.

Without a doubt, a woman should see her doctor if hemorrhoids develop. In certain situations, choosing specific creams and suppositories—rectal suppositories, specifically—is required to treat the condition.

These medications are carefully chosen on an individual basis, taking into consideration the woman’s initial health. Only medications that don’t harm the developing fetus may be administered as therapy.

In rare instances, diarrhea may develop as a different circumstance. An intestinal infection or food poisoning may be the cause of loose stools if they are accompanied by vomiting, an increase in body temperature, and increased abdominal pain. You should get in touch with a doctor right away in this situation. It may be hazardous for the mother and her child to have this condition.

The gastrointestinal system’s organs start to function in an intense mode when there is an increasing strain on them. Moreover, the liver may undergo characteristic alterations. The organ’s heavy workload causes it to start producing a lot of chemicals that are biologically active. The pregnant mother may experience an increase in her blood levels of AST and ALT as a result of this.

Overindulgence in fried and fatty foods also puts more strain on the liver. During their pregnancy, women who enjoy fast food are more likely to have gallbladder issues. Consuming such products during pregnancy is particularly risky for women with chronic cholecystitis.

In this case, the doctor will advise adhering to a diet in order to normalize the state of the female body. If this approach is insufficient in a particular situation, a prescription for medication might be required.

The attending physician strictly prescribes them for medical purposes.

Other changes

When a woman reaches this stage of her pregnancy, her belly has already grown significantly. This is because the baby, at this point in its development, is relatively large.

The growing uterus starts to ascend. This causes the pressure inside the abdominal cavity to gradually change, which adds to the appearance of a heaviness in the lower chest and abdomen.

A woman may sense that her breathing is getting harder to take or that she is running out of air. These alterations are frequently most noticeable following rapid walking.

Additionally, the occurrence of back pain at this stage of pregnancy is a typical clinical indicator. Women frequently report back pain or a strong pulling sensation in their lower back to their doctors. These symptoms can vary in intensity. The initial condition of the expectant mother’s muscular system has a significant impact on this. The less often this symptom appears, the "stronger" the muscular frame.

Women occasionally report experiencing pain in both the lower pelvis and the area around the pubic bone. These symptoms are usually momentary. They might get stronger after vigorous exercise. It is crucial that you contact your doctor right away in this situation.

A woman may have uterine wall cramps between weeks 32 and 33 of her pregnancy. Training contractions are the term for these alterations.

They are typically found during cardiotocography. But the expectant mother might experience these changes as well. They appear as moderate, relatively brief lower abdominal contractions.

When this symptom manifests, a woman shouldn’t become alarmed. This is a perfectly normal reaction that can happen at this point in the pregnancy. One of the main reasons to call your doctor is if you start experiencing lower abdominal cramps.

How close labor is must be determined by the doctor. He must measure the cervix’s dilation in order to accomplish this. The doctor can’t decide how soon to deliver the baby until he or she has had a clinical examination.

The onset of edema causes discomfort for a lot of women. They may manifest in ways other than pathological alterations. Even mothers who have never had swelling issues before develop it in their legs at this point in the pregnancy.

The surrounding organs are under severe pressure from the expanding uterus. There is significant compression of the kidneys and urinary organs. This plays a part in the disturbance of urine flow as well as the development of swelling.

Legs and other body parts are not the only places where swelling can occur. Facial swelling is a common occurrence. Pregnant women who experience increased swelling also have altered facial contours, with the oval shape becoming more rounded. The eyelids enlarge and may droop significantly. The degree of swelling is usually greatest in the morning.

About sexual life

For both men and women, the issue of maintaining a sexual life becomes crucial. Many couples purposefully limit their sex because they are worried about hurting the unborn child in any way. Such a "restrictive" regime is not necessary in every situation.

In this stage of pregnancy, it is crucial for a couple to keep an eye on the depth and intensity of penetration during sex. It’s critical to approach everything with moderation. It is preferable to select the positions that are most comfortable for women.

If the expectant mother’s pregnancy is developing complicatedly, the doctor might advise her to limit her sexual activity. These suggestions are always given on an individual basis.

The doctor needs to be aware of the woman’s and her unborn child’s initial health characteristics in order to evaluate the likelihood of having sex and the potential risk to the fetus.

At this point in their pregnancy, some women may experience some sexual changes. For instance, following sex, they might not experience vivid and emotional impressions. Orgasm attainment may also vary. Hormonal imbalances are the cause of these alterations.

Possible causes for concern

Pregnant women may undergo a variety of changes, even in cases where their pregnancy is healthy. They frequently give rise to concerns and anxiety. Many of these symptoms are fairly common during this stage of pregnancy.

Dental problems

This stage of pregnancy is often associated with a variety of oral pathologies. Hormonal fluctuations also precede these kinds of changes. Therefore, one reason a woman may have more frequent bleeding gums is because of the altered estrogen concentration in the blood. Because the expectant mother may exhibit unfavorable symptoms of periodontal disease, this condition is dangerous.

The expectant mother should use gentle toothpastes and special mouthwashes to help lessen the severity of these clinical manifestations. Products derived from natural extracts of medicinal herbs are the best option.

Gargling with homemade decoctions of sage or chamomile flowers is a great way to support treatment. A woman should select products that won’t cause her to become allergic if she has a specific intolerance to any herbs.

Selecting intricate oral products can be assisted by a dentist. A pregnant woman should call a doctor right away if she has a toothache. In this instance, there’s no reason to panic.

Pregnant women can safely use a large number of contemporary dental practice products. It is preferable to have dental treatment during pregnancy from professionals who have enough clinical experience in this area.

Reduced immunity

A woman’s immunity is somewhat lowered during pregnancy. This inherent trait is required to prevent the child from being rejected by the mother’s immune system as an alien genetic object.

Pregnant women’s bodies become extremely susceptible to the penetration of any infection due to specific changes in how their immune systems function. Both bacteria and viruses have the ability to cause disease. Additionally, the expectant mother has a fairly high chance of contracting a cold at this point in the pregnancy. Acute respiratory illnesses are characterized by the emergence of multiple adverse symptoms. A woman may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, and trouble breathing through her nose.

The infection "descends" into the oropharynx quite frequently. The woman may experience pharyngitis symptoms as a result of this. It is important for expectant mothers to take care of themselves because they are at a higher risk of getting a cold during this stage of pregnancy. The development of complications for the woman and the baby who "lives" in her womb makes a cold potentially dangerous.

Women who have weakened immune systems are more susceptible to developing lip herpes. Sometimes localized hypothermia is sufficient to produce rashes on the lips’ mucous membrane.

There can be variations in the degree of symptoms. Herpes infections can be extremely severe in certain cases. A doctor’s consultation is necessary in this kind of circumstance. Generally speaking, physicians aim to restrict treatment to only prescribing medications with localized effects.

Pathologies of the female genital organs

It’s critical to evaluate a pregnant woman’s reproductive organ health. Doctors can only quickly detect dangerous conditions and emerging pathologies with dynamic observation.

A considerable number of distinct pathological conditions are linked to cervical shortening. Premature birth is more likely because of its short length.

Isthmic-cervical insufficiency may develop as a result of a shorter cervix. Because the baby may be born much earlier than the necessary period, this pathology is dangerous.

Several techniques are employed by obstetricians and gynecologists to treat this pathological condition. Each patient has a unique treatment plan created for them. A hormonal treatment approach is employed occasionally. Doctors treat this by prescribing drugs that alter the blood’s level of female sex hormones. Cervix is also affected by such treatment.

Certain obstetric devices can also be used by physicians to treat isthmic-cervical insufficiency resulting from cervix shortening. We refer to them as pessaries.

Additionally, during the gestational age, medical professionals assess additional clinical parameters. One very significant indicator of the health of a woman’s organs is the tone of her uterus. It can become dangerous for the fetus if there is a considerable increase in it.

A pregnant woman should keep a close eye on the type of discharge coming from her vagina at this point in the pregnancy. They should normally be light. There shouldn’t be any bad or sour smell.

The expectant mother should consult her doctor right away if she discovers that her vaginal discharge has turned purple or turned bloody. This symptom could be the result of hazardous circumstances for the unborn child at this point in the pregnancy.

In this case, the physician will perform a gynecological examination on the patient in order to identify the reason behind the changes that have taken place. He will send the expectant mother for an ultrasound if that becomes necessary.

Thrush symptoms in a woman may result from decreased immune system performance combined with changes in hormone levels. A candidal infection may also arise as a result of improper eating. Overindulgence in chocolate and sweets can exacerbate the negative effects of thrush.

A woman suffering from genital tract candidiasis feels uncomfortable due to numerous changes in her body. Itching in the vagina is one of these clinical symptoms. A woman may also experience excruciating pain in her perineum. The level of itching in the intimate area varies, but when it’s severe, it seriously interferes with their daily routine.

A distinct white discharge that appears is another telltale sign of candidiasis. They have a consistency that is similar to cottage cheese. It’s crucial to see a doctor as soon as these negative symptoms appear.

The mucus plug in a woman’s genital tract can come off between weeks 32 and 33 of pregnancy. In this situation, getting medical attention right away is crucial.

When the plug is removed, many women experience panic attacks. This is not something you ought to do. It’s critical to realize that only a physician can determine whether labor is imminent.

In the practice of medicine, there are instances where a significant amount of time elapses between the moment the mucous plug leaves the genital tract and the baby is born. The doctor performing the clinical examination decides whether or not the woman in this situation needs to be admitted to the hospital.

Another symptom at this point in the pregnancy that calls for the expectant mother to call a doctor right away is amniotic fluid leakage. In this instance, determining the degree of cervix dilation is required.

A woman may occasionally require an emergency delivery. This is typically carried out in cases where the fetus’s life is seriously threatened. A significant number of babies are born at 33 weeks of pregnancy, according to obstetricians.

Features of the fetus"s condition

The baby goes through a number of distinct changes during this time. At this age, the child is already fairly mature.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a lot of characteristics might be physiological rather than pathological. As such, the characteristics of a baby’s constitution are greatly influenced by the parameters of its parents. These characteristics will undoubtedly be taken into consideration by the physician when evaluating intrauterine development.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a variety of studies must be carried out in order to diagnose pathologies in children at this age.

Development at this time

Doctors use specific clinical signs to establish the main criteria for the baby’s intrauterine development at this stage. Among these are the foetus’s anatomical features:

• At this time of pregnancy The weight of the baby Already reaches 2000-2100 grams. The growth of the baby is approximately 43-44 cm. It is important to remember that these parameters are indicative. In women who bear several babies at once, children can develop differently. It often happens that one child develops a little more intense than another. This may also manifest itself by the fact that the size of his body will be larger.
• The circumference of the head The baby at this stage of its intrauterine development is about 29-33.3 cm. When performing the examination, you can also measure the parameters of other anatomical formations. So, the circumference of the baby"s tummy is approximately 26.8-32.5 cm.
• During an ultrasound examination, the doctor can also determine the size of some bones. For example, the length of the baby"s hips is 5.8-6.8 cm, shoulders – 5.5-6.3 cm.

Physiological changes

At this point in its development within the womb, the infant already has a fairly active life. The baby can move comfortably if the mother’s stomach contains enough amniotic fluid. The woman can feel the baby’s activity, and an ultrasound examination can also pick it up.

The baby starts to feel changes in the body’s arrangement. Adipose tissue builds up over time. This is essential to help the newborn adjust to life in a new environment after birth.

There is a thermoregulatory function to adipose tissue. The reason the newborn does not experience hypothermia right away is because they have the necessary quantity of fat depots. Babies born prematurely—before their due date—frequently struggle with maintaining their body temperature.

Another critical factor is the baby’s position inside the uterus. Usually, by this point in the pregnancy, the baby has assumed the proper position. Its head is in this instance pointing toward the birth canal at the bottom.

Functionally speaking, this is the most advantageous position. The baby’s movements during childbirth in this instance are physiological.

When choosing the best course of action for obstetric support, it is crucial to consider the baby’s position inside the uterus. The baby’s breech presentation has negative physiological effects. Physicians need to be more cautious when treating this condition.

The features of the baby’s other organs must be considered by the physician in addition to the baby’s anatomy. The placental tissue is a crucial structure. It is impossible to overstate the placenta’s significance. This organ directly contributes to the mother’s and child’s circulatory system.

Blood vessels found in the placenta supply the baby’s body with all the nutrients it needs for healthy growth and development.

Doctors use Doppler to identify pathologies of placental blood flow. Every stage of pregnancy has its own set of requirements. By using them, medical professionals can quickly diagnose a variety of diseases. The doctor can also evaluate how well blood flows through the placental blood vessels with the use of Doppler.

The baby is in an aquatic environment while it is developing intrauterine. The uterus’s amniotic fluid provides assurance for this. A sufficient quantity is required for the child to grow and develop to the fullest extent possible.

Reduced amniotic fluid can cause potentially harmful conditions for the developing fetus. An ultrasound examination is required in order to determine the amount of amniotic fluid.

An obstetrician-gynecologist consultation is mandatory if this indicator shows a significant decline. The baby’s health must unavoidably be evaluated by the physician.

What pathologies may the baby have?

Through the umbilical cord, the fetus receives nutrition from its mother during intrauterine development. This particular organ has blood vessels in it.

There are numerous factors that determine the length of the umbilical cord. A noticeable reduction in the length of the umbilical chord can pose a serious risk to the fetus because it will make it more difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal during a normal delivery. Usually, in this case, physicians turn to doing a cesarean section.

An excessively long umbilical cord can also cause the infant to experience a number of disorders. The baby’s neck being entangled in the umbilical cord is one of these conditions.

In this situation, it is crucial to determine whether the baby will develop hypoxia as a result of this condition, which lowers the oxygen saturation of the internal organs. The doctor must evaluate the condition of the unborn child in order to determine the severity of the disorders that have emerged.

Around 32–33 weeks, the baby will be able to shift positions within the uterus, which will allow it to "untangle" itself from the neck-encircling loops of the umbilical cord. For this to work, adequate amniotic fluid is crucial.

A cesarean section should be considered if the baby’s general well-being is significantly disrupted by the umbilical cord being wrapped too tightly around its neck.

The fetus and the expectant mother are getting ready for the last stages of pregnancy at 33 weeks. The infant is expanding quickly, putting on weight, and developing critical organs like the brain and lungs. When the baby outgrows the womb, you might feel stronger movements and see more noticeable rolls or kicks.

As the mother’s body adapts to the growing baby, she might experience increased discomfort. Shortness of breath, leg swelling, and back pain are common symptoms. Rest and fluid intake are crucial, as is keeping an eye out for any strange symptoms, such as decreased fetal movement.

This stage can elicit a range of emotions, including anxiety and excitement. Many soon-to-be mothers are occupied with mentally and physically getting ready for the baby’s arrival. Leaning on support networks and maintaining communication with healthcare providers can help reduce some of the anxiety as delivery draws near.

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