33 weeks pregnant: why and how labour is induced

At 33 weeks pregnant your baby can detect light, HealthXchange says, and over the next few weeks will grow quickly and turn head-down, ready for birth. KKH's planner uses this week to explain induction, because sometimes starting labour on purpose is safer than waiting.

Your baby at 33 weeks

Between weeks 33 and 36, babies usually grow fast and move into the head-down position. By 37 weeks the organs are ready to work on their own, HealthXchange says, except the lungs, which keep maturing until birth.

Why labour is induced

For an uncomplicated pregnancy, KKH says the ideal time to deliver is between 37 and 40 weeks, when your baby is full term. Sometimes the risks of waiting are higher than the risks of delivering. KKH lists common reasons:

• pre-eclampsia
• gestational diabetes with a large baby
• going past your due date

KKH's labour page adds concerns about your or your baby's wellbeing as another reason.

How it's done

KKH describes three ways to induce labour, used alone or together:

1. medicine applied to the cervix to help it open
2. breaking the water bag
3. a drip with medicine to strengthen contractions

If an induction is planned, KKH books it at the outpatient clinic and admits you to the Obstetrics Monitoring Unit or the Delivery Suite. Once you're in labour, you stay in the Delivery Suite until your baby is born. Every procedure has risks, including a natural birth, and your doctor explains them before you agree.

If your baby is born before term

A baby delivered early by induction may need a short stay in the special care nursery for checks, KKH says. How long depends on how early your baby is and how well they're doing.

What's due in Singapore at 33 weeks

Our birth plan guide helps you note your preferences if an induction is offered, and preparing for labour covers the rest.

When to go to the hospital

Regular or painful tightening, leaking fluid, bleeding, fewer movements or pre-eclampsia signs need the hospital now.

From 22 weeks on, KKH sends leaking fluid, bleeding and labour signs to its Delivery Suite, Level 2 of the Women's Tower. NUH's is Ward 22 on Level 2 of the Main Building. Save your own hospital's delivery suite number in your phone now, so nobody has to look it up in a rush.

Frequently asked questions

Is induction of labour safe?

Every procedure carries risks, including a natural birth, KKH says, and your doctor explains them first. Induction is offered when waiting is riskier.

Why would my doctor induce labour?

KKH lists pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes with a large baby and going past your due date as common reasons.

When is a baby full term?

From 37 weeks. KKH says 37 to 40 weeks is the ideal window for an uncomplicated pregnancy.

33 weeks pregnant is how many months?

About seven and a half months, counted from the first day of your last period.

Week by week. Previous week: 32 weeks pregnant. Next week: 34 weeks pregnant. Every week from 4 to 40: pregnancy week by week.