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Third trimester

33 Weeks Pregnant

Preparing your mind

This week your baby is around the size of a pineapple.

How your baby is developing

  • Your baby is gaining size steadily.
  • Development continues toward full term.

What may be happening in your body

  • You may start to feel a heaviness, or something weighing down, low in your pelvis.
  • Mild swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands can show up and often feels more noticeable by evening.
  • Braxton Hicks (painless practice tightenings) can become more noticeable, and sleep can be harder to find.

How you may be feeling

  • An urge to sort, tidy, and get ready — the 'nesting' feeling — can grow stronger now.
  • Curiosity and nervousness about the birth can rise together; both can share the same day.
  • The sheer amount of information and advice around can start to feel overwhelming.

Worth remembering

Mixed hopes and worries before birth are extremely common and understandable.

A closer look

Braxton Hicks (practice tightenings)

Your womb may tighten over your bump for 20 to 30 seconds and then soften. These are Braxton Hicks — a normal part of your body getting ready — and, unlike labour, they do not grow longer, stronger, or come more regularly. Feeling them more often around now is common.

Swelling, and easing it

Your body is holding more fluid now, so mild swelling in the feet and ankles is common and usually more noticeable at the end of the day. Resting with your feet up and avoiding standing for long periods can help many people feel more comfortable.

What comes next

Over the coming weeks, attention often turns gently toward getting ready for birth.

Professional support

Services ParentSide defines for this stage. Each page explains what the service covers and which professionals are approved to provide it.

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Sources and updates

Sources

Last reviewed:
This content is based on estimated averages and general information; it does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned about yourself or your baby, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

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