33 weeks pregnant
At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a pineapple: around 43.7 cm head to heel and 1.92 kg. Bones are hardening, though the skull stays soft to help with birth.
Your baby at 33 weeks
Bones are hardening, though the skull stays soft to help with birth.
| Size | About the size of a pineapple |
|---|---|
| Length | 43.7 cm head to heel |
| Weight | 1.92 kg |
Antibodies are passing from you to your baby through the placenta, building up protection against infections for the first months of life. Your baby's bones are hardening, except for the skull, which stays soft and flexible with gaps called fontanelles, so the head can mould to pass through the birth canal. Your baby weighs about 1.9 kg.
How far along are you at 33 weeks?
At 33 weeks pregnant you are in the eighth month of your pregnancy and the third trimester. You have about 7 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 33 weeks your baby has been growing for about 31 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 33 weeks
Sleep gets harder. Pack your hospital bag by 36 weeks and plan your route.
Common symptoms at 33 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Sleeplessness. Toilet trips, heartburn and a busy baby keep you up.
- Swelling. Rest with your feet raised, and tell your doctor if it is sudden.
- Tingling hands. Carpal tunnel may get worse.
- Backache. Your bump is at its heaviest yet.
- Braxton Hicks. Often stronger in the evening.
- Pelvic pressure. Your baby may be moving lower.
Your checklist for week 33
- Pack your hospital bag so it's ready by 36 weeks.
- Plan your route to hospital and a back-up option.
- Save your maternity unit's number and the emergency number in your phone and your partner's.
- Prepare some simple meals and freeze them for after the birth.
- Keep tracking your baby's movements every day.
Tip of the week: Better sleep in late pregnancy
Go to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and another supporting your bump. Avoid big meals and lots of fluid late in the evening, and keep your room cool and dark. If you can't sleep, get up for a while and do something calm. Short daytime naps help make up for lost sleep.
For your partner
Sleep is harder and the bag needs packing.
- Pack the hospital bag together
- Save the hospital number in your phone
- Do a practice drive to the hospital
When to call your doctor at 33 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Your baby is moving less than usual.
- Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, severe headache, or blurred vision.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes, or fewer baby movements.
Questions about 33 weeks pregnant
Why is my baby's head soft?
Your baby's skull is made of several bony plates joined by flexible tissue, with soft spots called fontanelles. This lets the head mould slightly during birth and gives the brain room to grow. The plates fuse over the first two years of life.
What should I pack in my hospital bag?
Your pregnancy notes, ID and insurance card, loose comfortable clothes, maternity pads, nursing bras, toiletries, snacks, a phone charger, and for your baby, clothes, nappies, a hat and a car seat. Our hospital bag checklist has the full list.
Is it normal to have trouble sleeping at 33 weeks?
Yes. Most women sleep less well in the third trimester. Rest whenever you can, and talk to your doctor if you feel very low or anxious, as that can also affect sleep.