What is going on with your baby during week 33?

Changes in you at this stage Week 33

• Though you will have bouts of fatigue you will have bouts of energy as well.
• You may find yourself waddling and bumping into furniture often these days.
• Aches and feeling numbness in your fingers, wrists and fluid retention are more commonplace - try stretching your hands when you take those frequent breaks.
• You are probably continuing to leak urine especially when you cough, laugh or sneeze because your growing baby is pressing on your bladder.
• Your cervix may begin to dilate this week onwards, or sometime in this month - this doesn't mean that you are in labor. Your cervix can dilate weeks, days or hours before labor begins. Every woman is different.
• You will probably have gained a pound a week this month, about 4 pounds in total.

Good to Know in Week 33

Veggies tips

• Fresh foods lose their nutrients rather fast, so it makes sense to have them on the day they are bought. Most of the nutrients are found just under the skin so eat the skin whenever possible. Root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes should be preferably scrubbed and not peeled. Fruits and vegetables should be ideally eaten in large pieces or whole since they lose vitamins when are sliced or cut.
• Recent studies show that breathing practices encourages the lungs to produce more surfactant the protein essential for the lung's healthy development.
• The average baby is diapered 7 thousand times before she is potty trained. Newborns need to be changed around 10 times each day and about 7 times a day after 4-6 weeks.

Wholesome Advice in Week 33

• Research has shown that women who follow an 8-week regime of pelvic floor exercises during their pregnancy have less urine leakage than women who do not exercise.
• Another tip you can use on food is never eat food that is past its 'sell by date' and avoid buying food with damaged packaging such as dents on the cans as the foods could be contaminated.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage

Pelvic floor exercises - the correct way

• There are things you should avoid when doing pelvic floor exercise. Many people do it the wrong way- the don'ts include:
  1. Actively contracting the abdominals
  2. Gripping with the muscles of the legs
  3. Tensing or clenching your buttocks
  4. Holding your breath as you work your pelvic floor
  5. Tensing your shoulder (you also need to keep your hands relaxed)

Common Concerns in in Week 33

Why should I exercise my pelvic floor?

• Pelvic floor exercises will help prevent weak pelvic floor muscles after childbirth. It is quite common for women to go through some amount of stress incontinence (fluid leakage when coughing, laughing for example) towards the end of a pregnancy or after childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth have a weakening effect on the pelvic floor. Women who do not go through vaginal delivery may still face this problem due to the weight of the baby during pregnancy and the resulting increased pressure on the pelvic floor. Pregnancy causes the pelvic floor to become stressed and that translates to it not being as strong as it was before you gave birth. Even if your pelvic floor muscles are working well keep them strong with exercises.

Weekly Nutrition advice in Week 33

• Stress burns energy and uses up vital nutrients such as Vitamin C, and minerals such as zinc and magnesium.
• Your dwindling appetite is no help either but it is important to eat foods rich in these nutrients as well as the B group of vitamins which are essential to release energy.
• Complex carbohydrates from whole-meal bread which release energy slowly are useful; avoid sugary snacks.
• Raised Blood Pressure is a common occurrence; a BP reading greater than 140 over 90 is a cause for concern although it does not show symptoms. First time mums, those carrying twins, very young or older mothers are likely patients of this condition.
• Vitamin C and E have been found to help women combat raised BP. A diet that is low in animal fats and high in fish oils helps to keep the blood thin is recommended.
• Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables which are rich in Vitamin C and potassium.
• Eat garlic regularly to keep your BP level in check and to improve blood flow in the placenta.
• One tbsp of sesame or sunflower seeds provides you with the extra calcium and magnesium.