What’s happening to the mother in week 33 to 35?
Your body will gradually begin to prepare for childbirth at the end of this period through more frequent and clearer contractions in the uterus. These start at the top of the abdomen and spread throughout the uterus before subsiding. They normally last about 30 seconds.
These are known as Braxton Hicks contractions. At first, Braxton Hicks contractions may feel like weak menstrual pain, but they can gradually become increasingly uncomfortable. They should not be painful.
If you have given birth before, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions earlier in your pregnancy and often perceive them as being stronger and more intense.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell Braxton Hicks contractions from proper contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions normally pass quickly and can change if you lie down, change position or move. They are not regular and rarely increase in intensity.
Development of the foetus
By now, the foetus is about 45 cm long and weighs around 2,300 grams, but both length and weight can vary from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Most internal organs are now fully developed, except for the lungs. These still need time to mature. The foetus therefore performs regular breathing exercises using amniotic fluid – crucial preparation for life outside the uterus.
The foetus hears sounds from the mother’s body, such as the heartbeat, intestinal sounds and breathing. After birth, a newborn child can recognise its mother’s heartbeat when it rests its ear against her chest.