Week 33

My Baby's Development

In these last few weeks before delivery, the billions of developed neurons in your baby's brain are able to learn about the in-utero environment. Your baby can listen, feel and even see somewhat. Your baby’s eyes can detect light, the pupils can constrict and dilate in response to light. Like a newborn, your baby sleeps much of the time and even experiences the rapid eye movement (REM) stage (the sleep stage during which our most vivid dreams occur).

Your baby's lungs are almost completely matured by this week. Fat will continue to be deposited on your baby's body for protection and warmth. Babies gain a good deal of their weight in the final few weeks before birth.

My Body

With labor and delivery only 2 months away, how you'll cope with the pain during childbirth? You need to learn about the most commonly used techniques for pain relief. These techniques include breathing techniques (such as those taught in Lamaze classes), pain-relief medications given through injection and epidurals, where doctors can give an anesthetic by means of a soft, thin catheter that's placed in your lower back. Whatever your ultimate choice, the more you know, your decision can be better informed. Although you don't have to make a decision yet, consult your health care provider now about your choices.