33 Weeks Pregnant

You should really feel pregnant now. Your uterus has grown more than 500 times its normal size. You can expect to gain about a pound per week until your delivery. You will have continued pressure; causing you to urinate often and you may experience vivid dreams. Check with your doctor before making travel plans during this portion of your pregnancy. Flying in particular may not be the safest option for you and your baby right now.

Baby is Maturing

Your fetus now acts and moves as a newborn baby. It has settled into its birthing position, which is usually head-down. If the baby is flipped with its head closer to your rib cage there are some things that can be done to try to rotate it. If rotation doesn’t work a cesarean may be necessary. The fetus is now 4lb, 8 ounces and 12 inches long. As it continues to grow it will have less and less room to move around.

When to See a Doctor

Heavy bleeding and cramps is a sign of a miscarriage, the body’s way of getting rid of an unhealthy fetus. An opening in the cervix can cause the amniotic sac to hand into the vaginal canal and prematurely break. This can also bring on a miscarriage. But if it’s caught in time, the cervix can be stitched closed until the time of delivery to keep the environment safe for your baby.

If you experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, nausea, shoulder pain and dizziness you may have a tubal pregnancy. This means that the embryo has planted itself in a fallopian tube rather than the uterus. It can be fixed if it is found early on.

Bright red bleeding during the third trimester may be an indication of placenta previa. This is when the placenta is located at the bottom of your uterus instead of at the top. If the placenta blocks the path of delivery a cesarean will be necessary.