It's getting harder to forget you are pregnant now. Frequent
niggles and pains, kicks and prods mean you are constantly being
reminded that there is a baby in there. This causes some women to
feel like an incubator, the sheer physical nature of their
pregnancy making it all a little too much to enjoy. Societies view
of pregnancy being ultra feminine and lovely doesn't always match
with the reality. Many women see their pregnancy as a means to an
end, a necessary process in order to get their baby at the end of
the forty weeks. Your attitude towards being pregnant is not an
indication of how you will feel about your baby once it is born.
Try not to worry if you aren't enjoying every minute of being
pregnant. This is a common experience for many women, but one which
isn't talked about too often.
just breathe
If this is your first pregnancy, you'll have the benefits of
being able to focus on yourself and your partner. But if you've got
other children to care for, your opportunity to rest and ponder
will be limited. Try to take some quiet time each day to just "be
in the moment" and not think about what the future holds for you.
This can be such a busy time with organising and planning that days
can go by without any real appreciation for them. When you can,
just sit, breathe, relax and be still. Both you and your baby will
benefit.
your physical changes this week
- You may find yourself having some urinary leakage aka
"incontinence" around this stage of your pregnancy. This is more
common in women who've been pregnant before. When you laugh,
sneeze, cough or lift something heavy, a small amount of urine may
leak out of your bladder. This is a common problem towards the end
of pregnancy. Some women need to wear a light pad inside their
underpants to avoid embarrassment. Doing pelvic floor exercises
will help strengthen the muscles which support your bladder.
- If you normally wear contact lenses, you may be finding them
even more irritating by now. Fluid retention and changes to the
shape of your eye will mean they don't fit as comfortably as they
used to. Many women revert to wearing glasses until after their
baby is born and their eyes return to normal. Avoid getting a new
prescription for glasses and contacts at this stage of your
pregnancy. Your eyes are going through a transitional stage and an
assessment of your vision now, will not give an accurate reflection
of your sight.
- Heartburn, your old friend can make its presence felt again
right now. The baby is pushing your stomach and intestines up and
out of their normal positions. This means you don't have the luxury
of being able to digest your meals comfortably. Some foods will
make indigestion and heartburn worse and cause you more than a
little regret. Spicy, hot, large meals are the worst culprits so
avoid temptation and go for what you know is safe. Check with your
doctor or pharmacist about safe antacids which can be used in
pregnancy. Milk, yoghurt, custard and cheese can help to settle
heartburn.
- More Braxton Hick's Contractions at 33 weeks of pregnancy.
These painless uterine contractions are a nature's way of providing
a practice session for the real thing. They will also help to
create a surge of oxygenated blood to the placenta. Unless they are
accompanied by pain, become regular or you are losing fluid from
your vagina as well, don't be concerned. A simple change of
position or warm shower can often help them to settle.
your emotional changes this week
- Mood swings may cause you to feel emotionally unstable this
week. You could be feeling fed up with your body shape and a little
over being pregnant. Look for things which give you pleasure and
tell your partner how you feel. Other women can be a source of
great emotional support and understanding. Pick up the phone or
email someone you know who cares about you and who will listen
without judgment.
- If you're experiencing insomnia this won't help your mood
swings. Try to stick with a regular bedtime and pre-bed ritual
where your body knows it is winding down for the day. Avoid
drinking caffeine or eating chocolate in the afternoons and
evenings and don't exercise past 4pm. If you are still working, aim
for a simple home life where you don't place too many demands upon
yourself.
your baby's changes this week
- Your baby's lungs are maturing even more in week 33. If your
baby were born now, it is likely to need some support to help it
breathe, but perhaps not. Their own little body is producing
surfactant which will help their airways to stay open and not
collapse. If you were admitted to hospital with threatened
premature labour this week, you would most likely be given an
injection of cortisone which would help their lungs to mature.
- The amniotic fluid which is surrounding your baby is peaking in
volume around now. There is about 1 litre of it, creating a warm,
sterile bath for your baby to float around in. The amount of
amniotic fluid is a sign of how well your baby's kidneys are
working. They should be producing around 500ml/day at this stage of
your pregnancy.
hint for the week
- Aim to put some money aside each week which will help balance
your household budget after the baby is born. Becoming financially
dependent can be a big change for many women, who've always prided
themselves on being able to contribute to the family income. It is
easy to buy things for the baby but many times, mothers miss out.
It is important to treat yourself every now and then and have a
little "stash of cash". This is something most mothers are glad of
in those moments when money is tight.
- Start putting your pets and animals outside if they're used to
sharing your house. No matter how much you love them, most couples
find their relationship with their pets' changes once they become
parents. As you get bigger and a little more awkward, you need to
reduce the risk of tripping over recumbent pets in the house. Keep
the door of the baby's room closed to avoid your cat making its bed
in the cot.
- Develop an awareness of your baby's cycles of activity and
rest. If there are changes, you are the best person to know what is
normal in terms of your baby's movements. Space has become tight in
your uterus so there is probably less of the tumbling and turning
going on which was so frequent earlier in your pregnancy. Kicks
from strong feet, feeling an elbow high in your ribs or a sharp
boot into your bladder will all become part of the every day for
you. Take some time to enjoy your baby's movements. Hard as it may
be to understand now, many women say they miss the sensation of
having their baby moving around inside them after it is born.
Week 34 follows.