At week 33 your baby's skull bones are still soft and not yet joined, which helps them through birth.
Your baby this week
- Skull
- The skull bones stay flexible and separate, so the head can shape during birth.
- Immunity
- Antibodies from you are passing to your baby, to protect them early on.
- Bones
- The rest of the skeleton is hardening.
What you might notice
- Pelvic and hip pain for some. Ask about support if it's hard to walk.
- Trouble sleeping and getting comfortable.
- Braxton Hicks more often, especially when you're tired.
- Swelling in your hands and feet.
Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit today if
- Your face, hands or feet swell suddenly, or you have a bad headache or blurred vision
- You have bleeding, fluid leaking, or regular tightenings or period-like cramps
- Your baby's movements have slowed down or changed
- You have strong itching, especially on your hands and feet
Any time of day or night. You will never be a nuisance for calling.
Coming up
By week 35
Have your bag packed.
Around week 36
Checkups often move to weekly.
Questions to bring to your next appointment
- What signs of labour should make me call?
- Can we go over my birth plan together?
- What happens if I go into labour early?
Add your own, then bring the list with you.
For your partner
Fit the car seat now, before you need it. It's harder than it looks.
NUGA follows you week by week
Enter your due date once and NUGA knows you're at week 33. The day before each appointment, it gathers what you've noted and the questions to bring.
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This page draws on public guidance from:
General information, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife or doctor knows yours. Last updated October 2026.