C & W's Baby in Week 33 of Pregnancy
Baby is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and she could grow up to another full inch this week. With that much baby inside the uterus, the amniotic-fluid level has maxed out, which explains why some of her pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows.) Antibodies are being passed from Julie to baby as she continues to develop her own fetal immune system, which will come in handy once she's outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs.
My Body in Week 33 of Pregnancy
With midnight bathroom runs, leg cramps, heartburn, and your basketball-sized belly, it's no wonder sleep is elusive. Third-trimester insomnia strikes about three-quarters of pregnant women (who may also be coping with a mind that races all night long thinking about your to-do-before-the-baby-comes list). But your body needs rest, so do your best to get comfy — before bed and when you get in it. Grab a pile of pillows, wedge them where you need to, and look on the bright side: Pregnancy insomnia is great training for those sleepless nights to come!
Week 33 Pregnancy Tip: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies suggest that infants born to mothers whose diets contain plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) have an edge in terms of early development. So if you eat your wild salmon, will your kid go to Harvard? Maybe, maybe not. But fish is a great source of DHA, which is critical to brain and vision development. (Almost all of a baby's accumulation of DHA occurs during the last trimester.) DHA may also help prevent preterm labor and protect against postpartum depression. But haven't you heard that fish is unsafe for pregnant women? Actually, the FDA says you can eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury, such as shrimp, tilapia, red snapper, salmon (wild is best, organic farmed next best), pollack, and catfish. Steer clear of swordfish, shark, and fresh tuna, which are more likely to contain toxins. Hate fish? Other DHA sources include algae-derived supplements (check your health-food store — and with your practitioner) and DHA eggs, available in most supermarkets.
