Week 33 of pregnancy
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Your baby this week
About the size of a small durian
Source: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
Your baby's development
Your baby is about 43.7 cm long and weighs about 1.9 kg. Your baby is now about the size of a pumpkin. Baby's bones have ossified and become fairly strong. But the skull can still be soft, which helps it compress when passing down the birth canal.
This is also the stage when your baby is immersed in dreams and their eyelids move constantly, known as REM sleep. Your baby's face also shows more expressions.
Your baby now has their own immune system; although it's weak, it can help baby fight off some germs once born. Sounds like a brave little warrior, doesn't it!
Your body
You may still have trouble sleeping. This is “training” for the sleepless nights ahead.
You may feel Braxton Hicks contractions. These physiological tightenings are not painful. You need to tell them apart from real labour contractions, which last longer and cause tummy pain.
All of this will feel so much better if you and your partner can share it together. Emotional comfort is always the best way to lift your mood and help you feel at ease.
Advice for you
Take a gentle bath or soak your feet in warm water before bed for a good night's sleep. Getting enough healthy fatty acids (omega-3) and calcium is also essential.
It's time to learn how to breastfeed correctly. Doti is ready to advise you.
If you imagine that your baby's first word will be “Mummy!”, you'll surely burst with happiness! Being a mum feels wonderful, doesn't it!
Watch the video for this article
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy
This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe pain or faintness, call the emergency number 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Convulsions (fits)
A convulsion in pregnancy is an emergency. Family members should call 115 at once, lay the mother on her side in a safe place and get her to the nearest hospital.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Fever in pregnancy
A temperature above 38°C counts as a fever. Please go to a health facility so a doctor can find the cause and advise on safe ways to bring it down; do not take medicine on your own.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Leaking fluid or waters breaking
Fluid leaking from the vagina may mean the waters are leaking or have broken and needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to a health facility soon, lying with your head low while travelling.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling
Headache with blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or eyelids, can be a sign of high blood pressure in pregnancy or pre-eclampsia. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Reduced or no fetal movement
A clear drop in the baby's movements, or no movement, needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now rather than waiting until tomorrow.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that keeps getting worse, does not ease, or is severe needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the pain is severe with sweating, faintness or bleeding, call 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- NHS (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- ACOG (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for fetal size: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.