Fetal development - 33 weeks pregnant
Your baby now weighs about 4.2 pounds / 2 kilograms and measures approximately 17 inches / 44 centimetres from head to toe. Your baby should already be getting ready for birth by turning upside-down - his head should be pointing down.
Your doctor will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks - some babies do decide to turn back round again.
Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled.
If you're a first-time mother, your child's head may move into the pelvis this week and press firmly against your cervix. (This happens for about half of all first-time mothers.) If you're a second-time mum, you can expect this to happen a week before labour - and for some this won't happen until the start of labour. Hoping to manage your labour naturally? Here's all you need to know about natural pain relief.
You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Water retention, also known as oedema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. Your body - particularly your kidneys - and your baby need plenty of fluids, so drink up. If you suddenly feel swollen or puffy in your hands or face, however, call your doctor - it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
• Note: Experts say every baby develops differently - even in utero. These fetal development pages are designed to give a general idea of how a fetus grows in the womb.
Your doctor will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks - some babies do decide to turn back round again.
Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled.
If you're a first-time mother, your child's head may move into the pelvis this week and press firmly against your cervix. (This happens for about half of all first-time mothers.) If you're a second-time mum, you can expect this to happen a week before labour - and for some this won't happen until the start of labour. Hoping to manage your labour naturally? Here's all you need to know about natural pain relief.
You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Water retention, also known as oedema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. Your body - particularly your kidneys - and your baby need plenty of fluids, so drink up. If you suddenly feel swollen or puffy in your hands or face, however, call your doctor - it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
• Note: Experts say every baby develops differently - even in utero. These fetal development pages are designed to give a general idea of how a fetus grows in the womb.
