You are now 32 weeks pregnant, which is the beginning of week 33. Your baby is about 44 cm long (17.25 inches) and approximately 1,900 grams in weight (1.9 kg or 4lb 3 oz). Your baby's lungs continue to mature, producing increasing amounts of surfactant. This is a fatty liquid (or phospholipid) that lines their lungs, assisting the tiny sacs within (called alveoli) to expand efficiently for breathing after birth.
Your baby's sucking and swallowing action (required to drink milk) fully coordinates between 32 to 34 weeks. However, if your baby is born this early, they may require fluids and glucose through a drip in their vein and/or be fed milk through a fine tube to their stomach, because suckling tires them quickly. Nearly 80% of preterm babies are born between 32 to 37 weeks gestation and are regarded as 'mildly preterm'.
What is my body doing at 32 weeks?
You’ve no doubt experienced the pregnancy brain haze known as baby brain, when, thanks to your lovely pregnancy hormones, your memory’s compromised to say the least – but what about baby-induced clumsiness?
Thanks to hormonal changes loosening your joints and ligaments and your changed centre of gravity and extra weight, you might find you’re bumping into things and tripping over a lot. So step away from those staggering stilettos and wobbly wedges: it’s sensible shoes all the way, or at least until your little one is born.
These changes in your body could also lead you to experience lower back pain. If you do feel pain in your lower back, tell your midwife right away, as this can be a sign of premature labour.
At this point, you’ll also be gaining about a pound a week, half of which will go straight to your baby. She will gain between a third and half of her birth weight during the next seven weeks as she prepares for survival outside the womb.
Common symptoms to look out for:
Constipation
Difficulty opening the bowels or passing motions is a common complaint during pregnancy and is thought to happen because the progesterone hormone makes the gut movement slower. The longer food stays in the intestines, the more water is reabsorbed from the bowel, making motions harder to pass. Direct pressure on the intestines from the growing baby can also slow the passage of food through the bowel. For some women, constipation also contributes to causing haemorrhoids.
If you are taking iron supplements and you think this is making you constipated, ask your caregiver about changing to a different brand or replacing them with a more natural preparation.
Emotional reactions
Pregnancy heightens your emotions and senses, with many woman wondering "What type of world am I bringing my baby into?", particularly after watching the news. Scenes of suffering children and relationship separations can be particularly difficult, often reducing you to tears. You may also be sensitive to who you have around you, perhaps becoming more selective about your companions, or not socialising as much. This is all quite normal.
Birth preparations
Labour pain
Pain is both physical and emotional, much more than just the body's nerve response. It is a very personal, complex and sometimes isolating experience for each individual.
Pain relief
Individual women approach the management of their labour pain in different ways. Some go with an open mind, taking a 'wait and see' approach. Others have preconceived ideas about their acceptance or avoidance of pain relief. A few don't give pain relief a thought, believing they won't need it. It is hard to know what your labour will bring (even if this is not your first baby). To work effectively with your caregiver(s) and enhance a positive birth experience, it is good to be aware of your options and what is available.
Emotions
Each woman reacts to her labour pain in very unique and individual ways. How she expresses her pain and how others interpret her reactions can mean different things for the woman, her partner or support people.
What to expect from your caregiver
Caregivers vary in their own knowledge, beliefs and philosophies. Their personal approach, in combination with a birthplace's culture, often determines when, how and if certain pain relief options are encouraged, be they medical and/or natural.
Anaesthetics for a Caesarean
The type of anaesthetic used for caesarean births is ultimately the decision of the anaesthetist. However, if there are no complications, women can play a role in choosing the type of anaesthetic they would prefer.
Your week 32 FAQ's answered:
How long is 32 weeks pregnant in months?
Working out how many weeks and months pregnant you are can be tricky. That said, at 32 weeks pregnant, you are roughly 8 months pregnant.
Your baby's sucking and swallowing action (required to drink milk) fully coordinates between 32 to 34 weeks. However, if your baby is born this early, they may require fluids and glucose through a drip in their vein and/or be fed milk through a fine tube to their stomach, because suckling tires them quickly. Nearly 80% of preterm babies are born between 32 to 37 weeks gestation and are regarded as 'mildly preterm'.
What is my body doing at 32 weeks?
You’ve no doubt experienced the pregnancy brain haze known as baby brain, when, thanks to your lovely pregnancy hormones, your memory’s compromised to say the least – but what about baby-induced clumsiness?
Thanks to hormonal changes loosening your joints and ligaments and your changed centre of gravity and extra weight, you might find you’re bumping into things and tripping over a lot. So step away from those staggering stilettos and wobbly wedges: it’s sensible shoes all the way, or at least until your little one is born.
These changes in your body could also lead you to experience lower back pain. If you do feel pain in your lower back, tell your midwife right away, as this can be a sign of premature labour.
At this point, you’ll also be gaining about a pound a week, half of which will go straight to your baby. She will gain between a third and half of her birth weight during the next seven weeks as she prepares for survival outside the womb.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Braxton Hicks contractions: If you feel your uterus hardening, chances are these aren’t real contractions, but irregular practise contractions known as Braxton Hicks, which can last anything from 15 seconds to two minutes. You can tell if they’re real signs of labour by changing positions: if the contractions stop, don’t worry, it’s just Braxton Hicks. If they get progressively stronger and more regular, call your midwife, as this is usually a sign of labour.
- Reduced appetite: You haven’t got much space in your stomach these days, so it’s no surprise you might find your appetite is reduced. Try to eat small meals at regular intervals rather than large meals.
- Leaky breasts: The pregnancy glamour just never ends. This time, it’s the turn of leaky breasts to wreak havoc on your body. As your breasts grow in the third trimester, they might start to leak a yellowish fluid called colostrum, the precursor to breast milk, and the first milk your baby will taste. Consider nursing pads if the leaking becomes uncomfortable.
- Heartburn: Now that your uterus is pushing up near your diaphragm and taking up so much space in your stomach, you may experience heartburn or shortness of breath. Sleeping propped up on pillows or eating smaller meals might help to make you more comfortable.
Physical changes
Many women start feeling heavy and large now and may feel the need to slow down. Physical tasks can require more effort as the weeks pass by and you may consider stopping work (if employed) over the next few weeks.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids or piles are essentially varicose veins of the rectal canal. They can appear as small lumps during pregnancy, often during the last few months. Haemorrhoids can be painful (although not always) and quite itchy. They can also bleed, especially after a bowel motion. At times the bleeding can be quite bright and heavy.
Many women start feeling heavy and large now and may feel the need to slow down. Physical tasks can require more effort as the weeks pass by and you may consider stopping work (if employed) over the next few weeks.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids or piles are essentially varicose veins of the rectal canal. They can appear as small lumps during pregnancy, often during the last few months. Haemorrhoids can be painful (although not always) and quite itchy. They can also bleed, especially after a bowel motion. At times the bleeding can be quite bright and heavy.
Constipation
Difficulty opening the bowels or passing motions is a common complaint during pregnancy and is thought to happen because the progesterone hormone makes the gut movement slower. The longer food stays in the intestines, the more water is reabsorbed from the bowel, making motions harder to pass. Direct pressure on the intestines from the growing baby can also slow the passage of food through the bowel. For some women, constipation also contributes to causing haemorrhoids.
If you are taking iron supplements and you think this is making you constipated, ask your caregiver about changing to a different brand or replacing them with a more natural preparation.
Emotional reactions
Pregnancy heightens your emotions and senses, with many woman wondering "What type of world am I bringing my baby into?", particularly after watching the news. Scenes of suffering children and relationship separations can be particularly difficult, often reducing you to tears. You may also be sensitive to who you have around you, perhaps becoming more selective about your companions, or not socialising as much. This is all quite normal.
Birth preparations
Labour pain
Pain is both physical and emotional, much more than just the body's nerve response. It is a very personal, complex and sometimes isolating experience for each individual.
Pain relief
Individual women approach the management of their labour pain in different ways. Some go with an open mind, taking a 'wait and see' approach. Others have preconceived ideas about their acceptance or avoidance of pain relief. A few don't give pain relief a thought, believing they won't need it. It is hard to know what your labour will bring (even if this is not your first baby). To work effectively with your caregiver(s) and enhance a positive birth experience, it is good to be aware of your options and what is available.
Emotions
Each woman reacts to her labour pain in very unique and individual ways. How she expresses her pain and how others interpret her reactions can mean different things for the woman, her partner or support people.
What to expect from your caregiver
Caregivers vary in their own knowledge, beliefs and philosophies. Their personal approach, in combination with a birthplace's culture, often determines when, how and if certain pain relief options are encouraged, be they medical and/or natural.
Anaesthetics for a Caesarean
The type of anaesthetic used for caesarean births is ultimately the decision of the anaesthetist. However, if there are no complications, women can play a role in choosing the type of anaesthetic they would prefer.
What to do this week:
The big day is getting closer and closer, so why not take the chance now to run through everything regarding your delivery with your other half? Map out two different travel routes to the hospital and practice to make sure you know how long they take. If you’re not having a home birth, check to see if your antenatal class will give you a tour of the hospital.
If not, then make sure you organise this yourself – and familiarise yourself with the admission procedures you will have to go through when your labour commences. The more prepped you are, the more confident you’ll feel once those contractions begin.
The big day is getting closer and closer, so why not take the chance now to run through everything regarding your delivery with your other half? Map out two different travel routes to the hospital and practice to make sure you know how long they take. If you’re not having a home birth, check to see if your antenatal class will give you a tour of the hospital.
If not, then make sure you organise this yourself – and familiarise yourself with the admission procedures you will have to go through when your labour commences. The more prepped you are, the more confident you’ll feel once those contractions begin.
Your week 32 FAQ's answered:
How long is 32 weeks pregnant in months?
Working out how many weeks and months pregnant you are can be tricky. That said, at 32 weeks pregnant, you are roughly 8 months pregnant.
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