Your dream child at 33rd week
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Your baby is in the big "finishing period," and your body is gearing up for the final marathon of pregnancy--birth! And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.

Development

The 33rd week of pregnancy and the four weeks that follow mark a time of astounding growth as your baby reaches her ultimate birth weight. "All of my senses are working now!" Your baby's brain is still developing rapidly as her five senses get ready for the world outside the womb.

  • The pupils of her eyes can now adjust to bright or dim light, just like yours.
  • Her lungs continue to develop.
  • Your amniotic fluid has reached its maximum level now — there’s simply no more room! With less fluid to cushion them, your baby's kicks might feel a bit uncomfortable.
  • The nails of your baby are now long enough to reach to the tip of the fingers or beyond and may need trimming as soon as they are born. They may scratch their face even before birth.
  • All the bones (except for the skull) continue to harden. The reason the skull doesn’t harden is that it needs to remain flexible and soft in order to travel through the birthing canal. In addition, the sutures between the bones of the skull are not completely closed, which allows for some “play” during birth.

Appearance

Your baby now weighs about 2kg and measures up to 44cm from head to toe. She may already be getting ready for birth by turning upside-down. Her head should be pointing down, ready for her journey into the world. Her skin appears paler because of the build-up of white fat beneath it. This fat will have a big impact on her appearance, making her skin smoother and plumper, with dimples at the elbows and knees and creases in the wrists and neck.


Sleepless nights?


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As your dream child’s birth gets closer, you may find that sound sleep is only a hazy memory. It's normal for your sleep to get worse in the third trimester. And if this is the case for you, you're not alone. More than half of pregnant women rate their sleep as poor at this time.

What causes it?
A complicated combination of hormones and a number of unhelpful conditions, such as frequent urination, severe heart burn during pregnancy, leg cramps, and pre-birth anxiety can all cause difficulty sleeping during pregnancy.

Will lack of sleep harm my baby?
No. Sleeplessness is very common in the late stages of pregnancy, but it won’t harm your baby. Listen to your body and rest when you can. If you can't sleep at night, it's fine to take naps to catch up during the day.


Third Trimester Survival Tips

  • Sleep on your left side. This allows for the best blood flow to the fetus and to your uterus and kidneys. Try to avoid lying on your back for extended periods of time.
  • Try using a special "pregnancy" pillow to help you sleep better.
  • If you are experiencing leg cramps you may want to avoid carbonated sodas and drinks.
  • If you start snoring, have your blood pressure and urine protein checked—especially if you have swollen ankles and headaches.
  • Develop Restless Legs Syndrome; you may want to talk to your health care physician about an iron deficiency.
  • If you can't sleep, don't lie in bed forcing yourself to sleep. Get up and read a book, write in a journal or take a warm bath.
  • If you get a cramp in your leg, straighten your leg and flex your foot upwards. Try doing this before going to bed several times to help ward off future cramps.

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