Pregnancy Week by Week - Week 33-36

Month 8

You’re so close now! At 8 months you are on the home stretch and bump will soon be here! You’re no doubt struggling more than usual, but the promise of your newborn baby makes it all a bit more bearable.

Familiar symptoms may be getting at worse at this point, and any issues you may have avoided up till now may rear their ugly head.

• Fatigue. Tiredness is all but unavoidable at 8 months pregnant. Between the extra weight, sleepless nights and general discomfort, you’re bound to be feeling tired more than usual. Resting as much as you can and getting your feet up at every opportunity will help, as well as lots of extra pillows.
• Shortness of breath. Your growing uterus may be pushing your stomach against your lungs, making breathing more difficult in a very tight space. Fortunately, babies tend to move down into your pelvis in preparation for birth which will take some pressure off your lungs.
• Swollen veins can cause haemorrhoids, also known as piles. Pregnancy hormones and the increased blood supply raise the likelihood of these, and may make your anus itchy or sore. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fibre, and make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated.

Development

Your baby’s digestive system is now ready and raring to go and their lungs are fully developed. Your little one will be gaining weight and building its strength to make its entrance in the world.

Your bump will be more active than ever, so any loss of movement should be reported to your midwife or doctor. That being said, they will have their own routine and will even take naps occasionally, so it’s a good idea to track their activity so you know what is normal.

Baby shower

Celebrate your pregnancy and imminent arrival in style with a baby shower! This is a lovely opportunity to gather all the important ladies in your life and spend some time with them before the baby arrives. Traditionally it’s only women who attend the baby shower, but if that’s not your thing there’s nothing stopping you from inviting the gents too!

If you don’t want to host at your house or you want something extra special, why not try:

• Afternoon tea
• Brunch
• Spa day
• Picnic in the park

Before you book anything in, consult with the most important guests first. Send invitations out in plenty of time and make sure you choose a date that suits you too – a week or two before the birth might be tempting fate! You may want to consider creating a baby registry and sending this out along with the invitations too.

DO

• Plan your journey to and from the hospital. Making sure everything is planned and prepared will make your birth much smoother and calmer.
• Install your car seat. Check your car seat is the correct one for your car and get used to getting it in and out.

DON’T

• Neglect yourself. With so much focus on the baby, you may forget to take care of yourself properly. Rest, relax and pamper yourself – there is plenty of time to look after bump when he or she arrives.