Table of Contents
Your body and Mother Nature have joined forces and are focused on nothing but practice, practice, practice.
As the countdown continues, here’s what else is happening this week!
How Big Is Baby at 32 Weeks?
Your baby weighs 3 3/4 pounds and is 16.7 inches long from head-to-feet which is around the size of a jicama or a squash.
Tips for A Healthy Pregnancy at 32 Weeks
Slow Down – You might feel like there are 1,001 things to do before the big day. And, maybe there are.
You might even feel like you’ve been putting them off just to be careful that you don’t overdo it. But now you feel pressured as the clock keeps ticking time away and you keep slowing down.
You could even be tempted to just barrel through your to-do list. Pushing yourself in this way was doable when you’re weren’t pregnant, but may actually cause harm during pregnancy.
If you’re feeling pressured, call for back-up. Start recruiting mercilessly. You most definitely have that right, mama
Relax – In addition to calling in back-up, it’s essential for you to find a way to relax.
Relaxing is more than just sitting there doing nothing. It’s allowing your mind to take a break from the barrage of everyday thoughts and worries.
Yogis do this in Shavasana while others have embraced the practice of mindfulness during daily activities.
The goal is to quiet your mind and take a few moments to anchor yourself into the present rather than living in the worries of tomorrow.
Eat – With baby on a mission to grow this week, you might be feeling a little more hungry. So, go ahead and reach for that snack.
You might have felt like a grazing mother cow throughout this entire pregnancy. If so, know that you did great!
Keep your energy tank full and ward off both heartburn, constipation, and nausea by eating small and eating often.
How Many Months is 32 Weeks?
You are seven months and two weeks pregnant, mama!
With only eight more weeks until you’re officially full term, the end is quickly nearing.
Ultrasound at 32 Weeks
Be prepared for your baby to change positions in a dynamic way soon. You might even see the shift on an ultrasound.
If not, you’ll feel it or even notice it in the shape of your belly.
Your doctor is going to be watching to see that your baby has transitioned into a head-down position.
That’s the way he/she needs to be to move down the birth canal in the best way possible.
32 Weeks Pregnant: Your Belly
The bigger your baby grows, the less amniotic fluid he/she needs in your uterus. While your baby is still very much protected, you might notice a change in his/her movements.
These changes don’t necessarily reflect changes to your baby, but rather changes to how you sense your baby’s movements.
For instance, less amniotic fluid means your baby’s motions are easier to define and easier to feel.
You might be able to point out when his/her little knee is jabbing you in the ribs or even see when he/she has the hiccups.
32 Weeks Pregnant: Changes in Your Body
Baby’s Position – You’re not alone in the preparations for birth. Your baby is preparing for it, too. In fact, he/she might be transitioning to a head down position deeper in your pelvis, which is the optimal position for birth.
This could change the way that your belly looks (carrying from high to low) and give your lungs some much-needed room to inhale a deep breath.
Darker Nipples – Your breasts might have begun to leak already, which is normal. But, another odd symptom that often happens a few weeks before giving birth is the darkening of your nipples.
This doesn’t happen to everyone, and no one knows why it happens. But, like most other symptoms, you can simply blame hormones.
Generally speaking, your nipples will return closer to their normal color after you stop breastfeeding.
Vaginal Discharge – The leaky faucet below might be incredibly frustrating to deal with, but know that there is a reason for the madness.
Your vagina is self-cleaning, as you may already know, but it’s also self-protecting. The extra lubrication leakage is to get you ready for birth by preventing any infection from entering your vagina.
Just make sure the discharge isn’t thin and watery because that might be a sign that your water has already broken.
32 Weeks Pregnant: With Twins
Like singleton babies, there’s a good chance that your babies have changed positions to prepare for birth. Many twins and multiples do this even before single babies do, so it’s perfectly normal.
With all the weight your babies have put on, they are quickly running out of space to wiggle around.
And further still, because of the decreasing amniotic fluid, you might be feeling a little heel in your ribcage or a tiny bottom sticking out the side of your belly.
32 Weeks Pregnant: A Checklist
- Invest in a breast pump if you’re going to breastfeed.
- Get a nursing pillow (they also come in handy for bottle feedings).
- Install your baby’s car seat.
- Start gathering things you want with you during birth (pictures, oils, tea, comfy socks, etc.).