pregnancy | week by week

A small pumpkin

Your Baby's Size =

Week 33: Rapid Weight Gain Begins

There’s not much room left!

Your 33rd week of pregnancy -- and the four weeks that follow -- marks a time of astounding growth as your baby reaches her final birth weight.

• Your baby weighs about 4 1/2 pounds and might grow 1 inch in length during the 33rd week alone.
• She’s grown to about 12 1/2 inches from crown to rump, or to about the length of an average pumpkin.
• Your baby continues to gain weight rapidly when you’re 33 weeks pregnant -- about 1/2 pound a week.
  
• The pupils of your baby’s eyes can now adjust to bright or dim light, just like yours.
• Baby’s lungs continue to develop.
• Your amniotic fluid has reached his maximum level at your 33rd week of pregnancy -- there’s simply no more room. With less fluid to cushion them, your baby’s kicks might feel a bit uncomfortable.

Eating Well: How Much and When

A few small changes make getting the right nourishment easier.

When you’re 33 weeks pregnant, your choice of food, the time of day you eat it and how much you eat in one sitting can directly impact your well-being.

• If eating certain foods -- or eating after a certain time -- prompts bloating, heartburn or other uncomfortable symptoms, temporarily change those eating habits.
• After your baby’s birth, you can reintroduce your favorite foods into your diet.
• Be sure that even your mini-meals include a balance of foods that supply nutrients to both you and your baby.