Pregnancy Week 33: Fetal Development, the Baby Nursery & Picking a Pediatrician by 30Seconds Pregnancy

About Baby

Baby is now over 4 pounds and may be over 17 inches long, about the size of a pineapple. (If you’re thinking about pina coladas now, it won’t be too much longer, mama!) His bones are hardening, though the bones in his skull will remain not fused together. This helps the head fit through that tiny birth canal. All the pressure going through the birth canal is why some babies are born with a cone head (they are still adorable!). His fetal immune system is now getting antibodies from you that will help him thrive outside the womb and handle all those germs he’ll be exposed to.

Photo: Baby at 33 weeks of development

About Mom

Breasts feeling a bit heavy these days? That’s because your milk production is moving into high gear preparing for Baby’s arrival. You may notice the area around your nipple – the areola – has darkened in color as well. It’s all completely normal!

If one of your pregnancy nesting chores hasn’t been washing all your baby’s new clothing, consider doing that soon. Baby’s skin is pretty delicate, so washing them in a gentle detergent will remove any irritants in the fabric. After you wash them, they’ll need to be put away in your baby nursery. How’s that coming along? Yes, babies come with a lot of stuff! Why not streamline the nursery to reduce stress? Here's are a few ideas:

• Sort clothes by size and store in labeled boxes in Baby’s closet so you have the next size ready when the time comes. Store outgrown clothes in same boxes so they’ll be ready for the next baby or donation. 

• Exchange some gifted baby clothes for a larger size – babies grow so fast the first two years!
  

• Streamline laundry by keeping a bottle of stain remover in Baby’s room so you can pre-spot stains as they go into the laundry bag.

• Store dirty socks in lingerie bags and attach bag to your hamper with a big clip. Wash the socks in the bag so they don’t get lost.

Get more tips on streamlining your baby’s nursery.

Picking a Pediatrician

For many couples caring for a newborn baby can be scary, so it is important to have someone you trust guiding you along the way. Here are some important questions to ask when choosing your new baby's pediatrician (if you choose well, they will be in your life for 21 years!). Hint: make sure the office takes your insurance plan before scheduling your visit.

• What should I expect during the first visit? (The first visit is usually scheduled when Baby is 3 to 5 days old.)

• Do you support breastfeeding and is there a lactation specialist in the office?

• Do you follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on the most up-to-date practices in pediatric care?
  

• How late is the clinic open and is there a doctor or nurse practitioner (NP) on call after hours?

• Are there Saturday hours in case I need to bring my baby in on the weekend?

That’s not all you need to ask prospective doctors for your baby. Here are more questions to ask!

Bump Talk

“One thing that happens when you’re pregnant is that as your stomach starts to stretch it itches! So I have to keep my belly really lubricated.” – Padma Lakshmi, actress

Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links. The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get inspiration in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.