BLOGSILOG

I went to see my OB for my monthly prenatal check-up last week and guess what, I gained 8 pounds in just a span of 1 month! Well, it’s obvious that I’ve been pigging out over the holiday season. But my weight gain is still in the normal range though so there’s nothing to worry about. So far, I have gained a total of 20 pounds in this pregnancy (i now weigh 130 lbs) and it’s still safe for me to gain more according to Dr. L. But honestly, I don’t want to get any heavier because I was a big baby when I was born (8.8 lbs) and there’s a possibility that lil munchkin will also be BIG. And if he’s big, I’ll definitely have a hard time pushing him out. Yaiks! Que horror! So to prevent it from happening, I’m going to watch out my food intake and stick to my daily exercise routine from now on. (meaning no more lounging around our home theater seating and snacking the whole day) Wish me luck on this!

And since I am closing in to my due date (49 days to go!), I will start seeing my OB every 2 weeks. My next appointment is on January 22 and I’m praying and hoping that everything stays on a normal range until D-day.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 33: Throughout the next few weeks, your baby will gain more than half of his or her birth weight. Your baby will also move less now as he or she runs out of room. By the time you are 33 weeks pregnant, your baby has probably also moved into his or her birth position and is ready to go!

Other fetal development that is occurring when you are 33 weeks pregnant includes the following:

* Your baby is practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid to exercise his or her lungs.
* Some babies have full heads of hair by now; others have only a bit of fuzz.
* Your baby has a normal waking and sleeping pattern. Many times, your movement throughout the day will lull him or her to sleep; while you are inactive at night, it is a chance for him or her to be awake and active.
* When your baby is sleeping (which is most of the time) he or she may experience the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, which is the dreaming period of sleep.
* If your baby is a boy, the testicles are descending into the scrotum.
* Your baby can listen, feel, and see.
* The pupils of the eye can detect light and constrict and dilate.
* Your baby’s lungs are almost completely matured.
* Fat will continue to be deposited on your baby’s body for protection and warmth.
* Your baby’s skin color turns from red to pink.

And how’s mom doing? As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this “tunnel” may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.