Being pregnant with twins or multiples is not as easy as it appears to be. As you reach the 33rd week of your pregnancy, you realise that not much time is left for your babies to finally make their way into the world. By this time, the growth of the babies has nearly reached its completion and you cannot wait to hold them. Your connection with your little ones will be the strongest at this point, hence you must stay positive to make your delivery an easier process.
Even though the growth rate of your twins or multiples inside the womb might be taking a break, for now, their development will continue in intricate ways.
The survival tendencies begin to take the spotlight once again, as the bodies of your little ones rehearse all the necessary actions that will keep them alive outside. Right from breathing in amniotic fluid, to attempting to swallow it up as well as suck the thumb, these actions are what makes it evident to the babies as well as the doctors of their readiness to thrive outside your womb. If you give birth to your little ones and spot red coloured marks or even blisters on their hands, those usually are a result of this endless sucking that they engage in within you.
Ossification and hardening of the bones would be completed or reach its final stage by now. These bones are pretty hard for a little baby, though not as much as an adult or a young kid would have. A degree of malleability and flexibility of bones is essential to allow the baby’s delivery without any damage to the skeletal structure. On these lines, the skull tends to be the softest since the ideal way of delivery would be headfirst through the birth canal.
Along with the rate of growth, the frequency that your babies indulge in their activities and a variety of antics will see a decrease, too. It makes complete sense since these little ones barely have any space to turn into an acrobat, the way they used to earlier. Irrespective of that, you would be able to feel their jabs and kicks a bit more strongly than before, keeping you connected. Therefore, if your babies tend to be surprisingly silent, you can nudge them into movement by drinking cold water or humming a song you know they like. Any absence of movement despite all efforts should be brought to the doctor’s notice immediately.
Around the 33rd week of pregnancy, your little ones would now be as large as pineapples. Their height would be around 41-43 centimetres and they would weigh around 1.6-1.8 kilograms. By this week, your babies would be pretty healthy, making their presence felt.
The 33rd week of pregnancy will bring about certain changes in your body that will change the way your movements usually occur, combined with some old aches that will revisit you.
Your body is taking a lot of load in the 33rd week of its pregnancy. The increasing weight of the twins or multiples can cause the symptoms to worsen during this time period too.
By this week, being pregnant with twins or triplets will be no piece of cake. Signs of labour will become your one and only focus. You will also observe your belly for any further changes. By now, your tummy will have grown quite large and would only make navigating difficult again. Braxton Hicks contractions will continue as they used to, causing you to be extra careful with your stomach.
The ultrasound that you underwent last week would be an intensive one, which would repeat only the week after this one. If you were to have an ultrasound this week, you would notice that your babies will keep their eyes open while awake, they may also coordinate breathing with sucking. Your doctor may opt to take a repeat scan, in case of identical twins or to check for other complications.
The craving for calcium-rich foods might get stronger in this week since your babies are focusing intently on getting their bones hardened to full capacity. Fibrous food items such as plums and other fruits should be included in your diet. You should avoid eating spicy foods and your intake of water should be optimum to combat dehydration, reduce heartburn, as well as to keep digestion intact.
Here are a few tips to make it easier for you to take care of your pregnancy in this week.
The final weeks of your pregnancy would require:
Be proud that you are 33 weeks pregnant with twins and at a great place in delivering them successfully. A positive mindset and an energetic body can go a long way in easing the process for you.