Pregnancy: 33-40 Weeks

• Fetal movements feel like a rolling or squirming feeling and less kicking because there is not much room
• Increase in pelvic heaviness
• Increased backache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Breathing becomes less labored once the baby drops around 38 weeks
• Braxton Hicks contractions continue
• Colostrum leakage from the breast
• Leg cramps, especially during sleep
• Increase in constipation
• Heartburn
• Vaginal discharge becomes heavier and contains more mucus
• Varicose veins and or hemorrhoids
• Increased swelling of ankles and feet and sometimes hands and face
• Occasional headaches, faintness or dizziness
• Increase in clumsiness
• Increase in urinary frequency once the baby drops

Sleep
• Drink hot tea or warm milk before bed
• Use pillows to support lower back
• Try playing soft background music to enhance relaxation
• Warm bath before bed
Fetal Movement
• Be reassured that although it's uncomfortable, it is a sign your baby is doing well. Any decrease in fetal movement should be reported to your doctor immediately.
• Try changing your position for relief.
Backache
• Practice good body mechanics; squat instead of bending over, let your legs do the work
• Maintain good posture
• Perform pelvic tilts
• Wear comfortable shoes with low heels
• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees
• Enjoy a backrub from your partner
Heartburn
• Eat small, frequent meals
• Eliminate fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, spearmint and peppermint gum and processed meats
• Never use over the counter medication or home remedies without your doctor's approval.
Constipation/Hemorrhoids
• Increase fluids (water, juice)
• Increase walking or other exercise that has been approved by your doctor
• Eat dried fruit (raisins, prunes, and apricots)
• Never use stool softeners or laxatives without checking with your doctor first.
• Don't strain at the toilet.
• Try witch hazel soaks for hemorrhoid relief.
Ankle Swelling
• Elevate feet and legs whenever possible
• Drink lots of water
• Do ankle circles
• Do not stand or sit for long periods of time without changing your position frequently. Avoid crossing your legs.
Leg Cramps
• valuate your calcium intake (food and supplements) and discuss with your doctor.
• Don't massage your leg; instead flex your ankle and toes toward your nose.
Itchy Abdomen
• Keeping the area softened may ease the itch but won't cure the problem. Try not to scratch. This itchiness is normal as your skin is being stretched across your ever growing stomach. If itching becomes severe, contact your physician.
Braxton Hicks Contractions
• These are uterine contractions that appear during the latter part of your pregnancy. These contractions are the body's way of "rehearsing" for labor. Braxton Hicks will usually subside if you rest or change position. True contractions will begin to develop a pattern. They will become closer together, will last longer and feel stronger. True contractions cause cervical changes. Lying down and resting will not make true contractions go away. Talk to your doctor to see when he/she wants to be notified of your contractions.

• Daydreaming about the baby
• Relief that you're almost there
• Oversensitive
• Excitement, fear of the unknown
• Impatience and restlessness
• Unusual dreams

• Recurring uterine contractions over the course of one hour (pre-term labor before 37 weeks)
• Vaginal bleeding
• Burning with urination
• Abdominal pain
• Change in fetal movement
• Severe headache
• Sudden weight changes/visual changes
• Severe swelling of ankles, fingers or face
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Leaking or gush of water from vagina before your due date