Pregnancy week 33
8 Jan. 2026
Updated: 9 Jan. 2026
DOWNLOAD THE APP!
Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to download the app
In this article, you can read all about pregnancy in week 33. You’ll get information about your baby’s development, changes in the mother’s body, and useful tips for this stage of the journey.
The space in the amniotic fluid starts to become limited now and the foetus has to make an effort to be able to move freely. The foetus is so big that when they kick or hit, it can feel more like small (or big!) push.
How much and how often the baby kicks will constantly change, so it can be good to take a little time each day to reflect on the baby’s movements. You should feel movements regularly every day and they should feel about the same and as strong as they usually are. If you are concerned that the baby is moving less or in a different way, you should immediately contact the local maternity unit.
The lungs continue to mature until birth, but it can be reassuring to know that all of the foetus’s organs are otherwise fully developed. In addition, the prognosis for your baby tobe born this week and beyond is extremely good.
Much of the development of the foetus now lies in developing the brain and connections between different nerve cells. The foetus’ five senses are both developed and fully functional at this point. The foetus can perceive sound, react to light and feel pain and taste. However, the foetus will not be able to smell until after birth and its first breath.
During the latter part of pregnancy, it is common to suffer from stomach problems, often constipation. There are several reasons for this and usually it is because your internal organs (such as intestines, lungs, stomach and bladder) have been given limited space due to the growing uterus. The intestines also do not move at the same pace as when you are not pregnant, which can lead to the stomach becoming slower.
If you have stomach problems, it’s good to drink plenty of water, eat a high-fiber diet, and stay active, as this helps keep your bowels moving. This also helps with a sluggish stomach caused by iron tablets.
Do you feel full quickly when you eat? This is because the stomach has been compressed now that the uterus takes up more space. Eating smaller portions more often usually helps if you experience this problem.
If you have suffered from heartburn, it may worsen towards the end of pregnancy. By elevating the head of the bed and avoiding eating late at night, you can ease the discomfort. If it doesn’t work, there are also soothing preparations to take – you can always consult your midwife or pharmacist!
Finances can be stressful when expecting a child. However, there are very good tips to take when it comes to the finances with new additions to the family
Have you planned for the parental leave in connection with the birth? If not, now is a good time to do so. As the partner of the pregnant woman, you have the right to be off work and receive compensation for this in connection with the birth of your child. You and your partner may be able to get Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statotorty Shared Parental Pay (ShPP); You can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between you. You need to share the pay and leave in the first year after your child is born or placed with your family. You can use SPL to take leave in blocks seperated by periods of work, or take it all in one go. You can also choose to be off together or stagger the leave and pay. To get SPL and ShPP, you wil need to meet the eligibility criteria – there’s different criteria for birth parents and adoptive parents or parents using a surrogate. See HERE for more information.
