Diary of a Pregnancy: Weeks 33 and 34

by | Feb 22, 2022

Hello little Baby,

Well, I thought that you were pushing up higher last week, but these few weeks have been really uncomfortable. The fundus of the uterus (top rounded part of the womb) is getting higher and higher until around 36 weeks when it is expected you will start dropping into my pelvis and I can get some relief.

So hello breathlessness and heartburn!

So the preggy tips you shared have helped. I still have discomfort and heartburn, but they are a little more manageable. But now enter constipation and its evil twin, haemorrhoids! Oh, my goshโ€ฆ this Relaxin hormone and pressure from your weight into my pelvis is contributing as well. So l need to increase my fibre and water intake. I will chat to our Gynae and see what we can use to alleviate some of my issues. There is help out thereโ€ฆ.

I spoke to my Optometrist about my blurry vision and discomfort wearing my usual contact lenses. Turns out with the extra fluid retention in my body, the shape of my eyeball has changed! So that explains the issue. .. If the blurriness is accompanied by excessive swelling, headaches and nausea, moms should see their Gynae. This could be an early sign of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and can be risky for mom and baby.

If you are wanting to start Antenatal classes now is the cut-off point as most good courses are 6 weeks long and this will take you very close to due date. Another point is to find a good Infant CPR course to do well in advance as well.

Another thing I chatted to my Gynae about was receiving the Whooping Cough vaccine to protect baby whilst still in the womb. As I make the antibodies, they go through the placenta to you. This will protect you until you can have your own shots from 6 weeks. All adults that will come into contact with a newborn should have their booster. Not just Moms. So Dad and Grannies and Grandpas are also going soon.ย  You donโ€™t need a prescription anymore; you can just go to your local Private Clinic or Pharmacy. If you have had your COVID vaccines (for the same reason, of course) then you may have to chat to the Sister about the gap between your shots. But around now is a good timeโ€ฆ..

Another thing we spoke about is the swab for Group B streptococcus. Itโ€™s a bug that lives in some womenโ€™s vagina and gut. During birth, the baby can become infected and be really sick. If a woman tests positive, then it can be treated with antibiotics. So, pretty simple to do..

 

Hello my Mommy,

Phew, so sorry, pregnancy can be really physically uncomfortable these last few weeks.ย  Itโ€™s all normal, of course, but your doctor will start seeing us more often as time passes. Just to make sure that any symptoms are just pregnancy-related.

I am coordinating my breathing and sucking now. Sometimes I get it right, and you will be able to see your tummy slowly moving up and down on one spot. Then sometimes I donโ€™t, and I get hiccups which you can definitely feel!

My bones are hardening, and I actively listen to your voice now. I know all the family membersโ€™ voices and will respond by turning to Daddyโ€™s voice when he speaks to me for the first time.

I like to listen to you sing and speak to me, and that is how I am going to start learning โ€œMother tongueโ€. I am learning words already! I love music and will respond to my favourite songs when I arrive.

The fluid around me is called Liquour amnii and it is at an all-time high around 34 weeks. It will gradually reduce quite a bit as I get bigger and need more space in the womb.

Tips for Pregnancy:

  • Wear a cold compress behind your neck to help cool you down.
  • Carry on with the kick counts.
  • Decrease salt intake if you are swelling a lot.

 

Ourย Diary of a Pregnancyย series is written by Sr Des Meyer, a Perinatal Educator, in private practice, who is based in Durban North. Sr Des has been a Childbirth Educator and Well Baby Clinic sister since 1991. Her passion lies in educating new parents to enable them to achieve their goals as confident parents. โ€œKnowledge is power and a good foundation for the exciting years ahead.โ€