33 Weeks Pregnant? Here’s What No One Tells You (But You Need to Know!)

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EP 108:

Okay, real talk—week 33 hits different. 😩
Your baby’s practicing their first breath, your hips feel like they’re about to give out, and your brain is one big ball of overthinking.

In this episode, we’re diving into what’s actually happening in your body right now (beyond “your baby is the size of a pineapple”), the mental load no one talks about, and 3 things you NEED to do this week to feel less freaked out and more fully ready.

From lightning crotch to labor prep and breastfeeding tips—you’ll walk away from this episode feeling seen, prepared, and way more confident about what’s next.

🎧 Press play and let’s get you out of panic mode and into prep mode.

🔗 Want to go From Freaked Out to Fully Ready?
👉🏽 Watch this playlist
🎓 Grab my birth prep system: Bump To Bundle Blueprint

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,

(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
Let's cut the fluff.

(00:47):
You're 33 weeks pregnant and theinternet is still telling you
your baby is the size of apineapple.
Okay, that's cool, but what doesthat help you do?
Here's what no one is talkingabout.
Why you might be feeling littlepops in your vagina.
Yes, we are going there.

(01:08):
What your body is secretly doingto prepare you for labor right
now and why your brain suddenlycan't focus, but somehow you
remember every baby item youhaven't ordered yet.
This episode is for you.
If you're feeling weird andemotional and unprepared, but
you are hearing everyone say,Aw, you are glowing.

(01:30):
Let's talk about what's reallyhappening in week 33 and exactly
how to prep so that you don'twalk into labor.
Just hoping for the best.
Oh, and I've got a free playlistthat will get you calm,
confident, and ready for birth.
I'll tell you why.
It should be your new bestfriend in just a moment.

(01:52):
All right.
This is where things startshifting from pregnant to birth
is coming.
Here's what's secretly goingdown this week.
First up, your baby isofficially practicing breathing.
Yep.
Even though they're notbreathing air, your baby is

(02:13):
inhaling and exhaling amnioticfluid to get those lungs ready.
So every hiccup is a good sign.
They're strengthening thatdiaphragm.
next up, you might be gainingabout a pound a week.
But listen, this is all due tobaby growing fast and your blood
volume, which is peaking.

(02:33):
At this point, your body isliterally building a factory for
labor.
Now let's talk about roundligament pain.
Yes, it is back with avengeance.
You know, we've talked about itin previous episodes, but it's
worth mentioning again,especially if you're new here,

(02:54):
if you're having sharp, stabby,stretchy feelings in your groin
or lower belly, well that's youruterus growing and stretching
those ligaments.
This is all totally normal, butprobably very annoying.
So here's a pro tip.
Try wearing your belly band anddoing gentle stretches before

(03:15):
bed.
Both of those can really be agame changer, especially when
they're used together.
Okay, now let's talk about thething.
Your OB probably isn't checkingfor your stress level.
Mm-hmm.
This week it's common to feeloverwhelmed.
Easily stimulated and evenannoyed with everything and

(03:38):
every one, literally.
That's not just hormones.
It's your brain shifting intopreparation mode.
You're scanning for danger.
You're mentally packing yourhospital bag at 2:00 AM and you
might cry because you can't findthe right size onesie.
Now here's a brain fact.
Your amygdala, which is theemotional center of your brain,

(04:02):
is more active in latepregnancy.
It's your body's way of helpingyou become hyper aware of your
baby's needs, but it also makesyou more sensitive to noise,
more sensitive to conflict andchaos.
So if you are wondering, why doI feel so off?
That's your brain literallyrewiring you to become a mama.

(04:24):
This is exactly why I createdthe playlist that I mentioned at
the beginning from freaked outto fully ready.
Yeah, it's because your brainwants direction, clarity, and
calm, and that playlist givesyou just that.
Most people will tell you torest up and take it easy this
week.
But here's what you actuallyneed to be doing at 33 weeks

(04:48):
pregnant to feel like a boss bythe time you give birth.
First up, get familiar withbreastfeeding before your baby
arrives.
Here's the raw truth.
Milk doesn't just appear.
Your body starts producingcolostrum right now.
And what you do in these lastfew weeks can really affect your

(05:09):
first latch.
I want you to start learning thebasic latch positions,
especially for newborns.
I also want you to understandthe difference between colostrum
and what it feels like once yourmilk increases.
And lastly, I want you to knowwhat the first 24 hours of
feeding actually looks like,especially if you plan to

(05:31):
breastfeed.
Now I walk through all of thisinside a bump to bundle
blueprint because feedingshouldn't feel like a mystery
and you shouldn't have to learnit while you're exhausted, sore,
and holding a crying baby.
So if you want to go deeper withyour birth prep, be sure to
click the link below.
Next, I want you to learn whatlabor might look like and what

(05:55):
it sounds like.
Contractions don't just startall dramatic.
Like in the movies, you mightfeel cramping that comes and
goes, and then you might noticea back ache that won't quit.
And then there's always thatpressure like you have to poop,
but you don't.
Okay, now is a good time tostart noticing patterns, timing

(06:19):
and sensations.
In fact, I'll have a contractiontimer, PDF for you to download
in the description below just sothat you can have it ready and
pair it with an app for you totime contractions when that time
comes.
All right.
Now also, I want you to prepyour support person.

(06:40):
They're not a statue.
They need a job.
Who's gonna be timing yourcontractions?
Who's pressing on your hipsduring labor?
And who's advocating for youwhen you can't speak?
If your birth partner is lookinglike a deer in headlights, then
you definitely need to be insideof my course.
I give them scripts to say,pressure techniques to use, and

(07:02):
how not to be useless in thedelivery room.
Now.
Let's talk about what Week 33feels like and why that matters.
During this week, most moms say,I feel like I'm in a weird
limbo.
You are far enough along to beuncomfortable, but still a few
weeks away from meeting yourbaby.

(07:23):
It's like the final boss levelof pregnancy.
You're tired, done and feelingall the things, but this week is
powerful.
Your body is literally sinkingup with your baby.
Their circadian rhythm isaligning with yours, and their
brain is developing faster thanany other week so far.

(07:44):
So if you're feelingdisconnected or discouraged,
pause, take a breath, my friend,and just know that this week is
not just about symptoms, it'sabout preparing your whole self
to bring life into this world.
I know 33 weeks can feel like amess of emotions.

(08:05):
You're full of body aches andrandom Google searches, but you
are not alone, my friend, Andyou are way more powerful than
you think.
This is the week you shift frombeing unsure to knowing exactly
how to walk into labor withclarity and calm.
You've got this and I've gotyou.

(08:25):
Now if your brain is spinningand your browser has 48 tabs
open, I want you to stop thescroll.
Go ahead and hit the button toplay the playlist that's listed
now.
This is gonna walk you frombeing freaked out to fully
ready.
And if you want my full birthprep system, go ahead and grab

(08:46):
bump to bundle blueprint that'slinked below.
It's like having a doula birthcoach and lactation expert in
your pocket all in one place.
The link is in the description,so don't wait.
This is truly your moment to getfully ready.
Go ahead and I'll see you insidethe playlist.