33 weeks pregnant

At 33 weeks pregnant, there’s a lot going on for both you and your baby - it’s an exciting time. As you get closer to your due date, you might be thinking about your new life as a parent and the choices that are right for you and your family.

Let’s look at what’s going on during your pregnancy at 33 weeks pregnant, including some of those common pregnancy symptoms, recognising Braxton Hicks contractions, and some delicious meal planning and inspiration for your third trimester.

At 33 weeks pregnant, your growing baby continues to take up more of the available space in your tummy. As a result, you may find that your appetite decreases, leaving you unable to eat large or full meals¹. Try to eat little and often instead - you’ll find plenty of healthy and nutrient-packed ideas below.  

Heartburn and acid reflux are also one of the common pregnancy symptoms at 33 weeks. They’re thought to be caused by the many hormonal changes going on inside your body as your pregnancy progresses, and your growing baby pressing on your stomach².

Back pain is quite common throughout pregnancy, including during the third trimester. It’s caused by the ligaments in your body softening and stretching in preparation for giving birth³.  

Other symptoms you might be experiencing at 33 weeks include⁴:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Stretch marks - you can learn more about the physical changes you might experience during your pregnancy here
• Headaches
• Swollen hands and feet
• Bleeding gums

On the upside, you may notice that your hair has started to feel thicker and look shinier one of the more enjoyable symptoms of pregnancy!

Whilst these symptoms are very common and unlikely to be a cause for concern, be sure to seek advice from your doctor or midwife if you’re struggling to manage your symptoms.

If you feel a ‘tightening’ across your abdomen from time to time at 33 weeks pregnant, this could be a sign that your body is starting to prepare for labour with Braxton Hicks contractions. These tend to last for around 20 to 30 seconds, at which point the muscles start to relax⁴.  

Braxton Hicks contractions at 33 weeks are very common and shouldn’t cause you any pain. If they start to become painful, you get any unusual cramping, or they start to happen more regularly, then it’s very important that you contact your midwife to seek advice⁴.  

Whilst most pregnancy symptoms are completely normal, you should seek medical advice if you notice any of the following⁵:

• Any changes in your baby’s usual movement patterns 
• Swelling in your face, hands and feet, as this can be a sign of pre-eclampsia
• If you suspect that your waters have broken

At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby measures roughly 43.7 cm from their head to their heel⁴. Your baby’s brain is now fully developed, as is their nervous system, and in the coming weeks, your baby will be focussed on accumulating fat and growing to full term⁴.

During this time, whilst your baby’s bones will be getting harder, their skull will remain soft and separated. This is to allow your baby to more easily make their way down the birth canal during labour. Interestingly, your baby’s skull will stay this way until they reach between the ages of 12 and 18 months⁴.  

As your due date gets closer, there are one or two practicalities that you might want to start thinking about. 

If you’re attending an antenatal class, this is the perfect opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about your labour and birth, and what life with your little one may look like. Your antenatal appointments with your midwife can also be very helpful, providing plenty of information about everything from pain relief during labour to breastfeeding. 

It’s also time to start thinking about packing your hospital bag. Even if you’re planning for a home birth, it’s a good idea to have a hospital bag prepared, just in case you’re advised to transfer into hospital once your little one has arrived. 

Why not create a hospital bag checklist, just to make sure that you’ve got all bases covered? Remember to include the things that will help you during your labour (think healthy snacks for labour and comfortable clothing), and the things you and your baby will need once you’ve given birth. Toiletries, nappies and baby clothes for example. 

To help you get started, you can download your free copy of our handy hospital bag checklist here.