The third trimester weeks 32 and 33, are in the middle of the 8th month of pregnancy. The fetus continues to gain weight, and women need to take extra precautions to ensure safety and continue a healthy diet and exercise regimen. A number of pregnancy-related discomforts can be expected to increase as the weeks get closer to childbirth.
What happens during week 32 of pregnancy?
The fetus during week 32 of the third trimester of pregnancy would be about 40cm long and weighs close to 1.8 kg. They have been gaining weight rapidly and nearly doubled since the last month. They will continue to grow faster, occupying most of the space inside the uterus. Although it is crowded inside, the fetus will manage to turn around and go into a head-down position from a breech position around this time. Some will continue to stay in the breech position until the last month. They will also show lesser activity as they are asleep most of the time. However, one of the third-trimester symptoms not to ignore is the complete cessation of fetal movement. In such a case, the doctor needs to be contacted immediately.
As the uterus swells bigger with increased amniotic fluid, it can become difficult to move around. The stress could also lead to pain in the pelvis along with the lower back. If it persists for too long, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapist to learn exercises to help with the pain. Women who have piercings in the belly button need to have it removed around this time as the belly button would protrude or get stretched flat.
What happens during week 33 of pregnancy?
By week 33 of pregnancy, the fetus gains weight and reaches a little over 1.9 kg. Their growth in terms of length slows down, and they begin to put on more weight. The lungs now are mature enough to breathe outside the uterus and are getting filled with a surfactant which enables it to inflate easily. The brain and the nervous systems are close to being fully developed, and their reflexes are beginning to become more coordinated. The fetus also continues to store iron reserves in the liver, which will be necessary for the first 6 months of their life.
Women can expect their third-trimester pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, leg cramps, indigestion, heartburn and swelling in the feet to increase as the weeks get closer to delivery. If swelling in parts of the body, including the face, is observed first thing in the morning and gets worse, it is important to call the doctor immediately. The sleeping position and posture while sitting and walking affect the bowel movements and also lead to other issues such as frequent urination and incontinence. Third-trimester pregnancy exercises such as the ones that will work the pelvic floor muscles need to be performed every day for greater bladder control.
Wrapping up
By the mid of the third trimester, women can anticipate the activity of the fetus. It is important to observe for signs of trouble such as sudden stopping of fetal movement that is unusual or symptoms of premature labour.
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