Your baby is decorated cultivating real-life tricks similar sucking, breathing and swallowing.

Your Baby at Week 32

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At about 4 pounds and 16 to xix inches long, your babe is curled upwardly in, well, the fetal position. After all, there's not much room left at this particular inn. Not to worry, though. She'southward totally comfortable in there — fifty-fifty if you're not quite comfy out here.

As your baby hunkers down in your bunker to ride out the last few weeks of gestation, she'due south probably settling into the near common birthing position: head down, bottom up. Anatomically information technology makes sense — she's maximizing what little infinite she has past dropping her head into the bottom of your inverted pear-shaped uterus. It'south also natural since baby's bean is heavier than her tiny tush.

With only viii more weeks to get, your decorated bee is gearing upward for life exterior the womb. Those breathing movements she's been practicing? Well, they're near perfect now, irresolute from the brusque staccato bursts of only 10 seconds long to a more regular and rhythmic pattern that'll eventually churn out twoscore breaths per minute — the normal rate of a newborn.

These breathing lessons serve another purpose as well, encouraging the lungs to produce more surfactant — the protein that'll help the lungs expand after birth and that is essential for salubrious lung evolution.

Reinforcements for the monumental task of producing surfactant come up from another source, too. The adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, are difficult at working starting to pump out cortisol, which volition in turn aid stimulate more surfactant production. These workhorse glands are producing 10 times the amount of cortisol a normal developed produces…pretty amazing for someone so small!

Meanwhile, lanugo is continuing to shed, leaving only small patches of fuzz on the shoulders and back. Fingernails have grown almost long enough to be in need of a trim, but they're yet pretty soft. Babe might not need a mini-manicure just all the same, but there's no reason why you lot shouldn't treat yourself to one while you all the same accept time. A pedicure, too — after all, bet you tin can't see your toes.

At a Glance

Baby organs are fully formed

All your baby's major organs are fully adult now, except for the lungs. And so even if you gave birth this week, your footling one would probably practice simply fine.

Breathing practice

Your baby inhales amniotic fluid to practise using those lungs.

Skin changes

Bye-cheerio, see-through baby! This calendar week, your niggling bean's pare is at present opaque instead of transparent.

32 weeks significant is how many months?

If y'all're 32 weeks significant, y'all're in month eight of your pregnancy. Merely ane month left to go! However have questions? Hither's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are cleaved down in pregnancy.

How big is my infant at 32 weeks?

What's up with your baby? She'south starting to become ready for her big debut, tipping the scales at 3½to 4 pounds and topping out at 15 to 17 inches.

Baby's prepping for nativity

In these past few weeks, it's all near practice, exercise, do every bit she hones the skills she'll need to thrive outside the womb — from swallowing and breathing to kick and sucking. In anticipation of that momentous transition to mouth feeding, your baby's digestive organisation is all set and ready to go.

And though you're weeks away from your due engagement, your infant'south looking more than and more like a newborn: As fat accumulates nether her pare, it'south no longer transparent and is now opaque.

Fetal position: caput downwards or breech?

At 32 weeks meaning, you lot're likely feeling tapping and squirming instead of your babe's signature rocking and rolling. That'due south because, while comfy, your baby is a bit tight for practise space right now — she's really back to a curled-up position (y'all endeavour standing up in those cramped quarters!).

Between 32 and 38 weeks, your infant volition as well probably settle into the head-down, bottoms-upwards presentation in your pelvis in grooming for birth. That's considering the fetus' head fits meliorate at the bottom of your inverted, pear-shaped uterus, plus information technology's easier during childbirth if your baby comes out head first.

Fewer than five pct of babies prefer the bottom-down (or breech) position by full-term — so don't worry if your fiddling bean hasn't assumed the head-downwards position withal. There'southward still a good chance she'll flip earlier birth, even in the tight confines of your uterus.

Baby's sleep cycles

And speaking of the big day, hope you're resting up for it because your bambino certainly is. In training for that first date with you, your baby is sleeping like a baby with regular sleep and wake cycles.

Your Body at Week 32

baby size at 32 weeks pregnant

Braxton Hicks contractions

This week, your torso may outset prepping for delivery day by flexing its muscles...literally. If you feel your uterus tightening or hardening periodically, those are Braxton Hicks contractions — irregular exercise contractions that are first felt around mid-pregnancy and increase in frequency and strength as things progress.

These prelabor rehearsals are a warm-up for the real thing and are typically experienced earlier and with more than intensity in women who've been pregnant before. In fact, many novice moms-to-be don't observe them as much.

They feel like a tightening awareness that begins at the summit of your uterus and then spreads downward, lasting from 15 to 30 seconds, though they tin sometimes last as long as two minutes.

How do you lot know they aren't real labor? They'll terminate if you lot change position, so try getting up if yous're lying down or walking if you've been sitting. If they are existent labor contractions, they'll become progressively stronger and more regular — and then in that case, put in a call to your practitioner. In the meantime, when they're simply the practise kind, effort taking a warm bath to help with the discomfort.

Ultrasound photos

Ultrasound is a tried-and-truthful prenatal tool — and a window into the wonderful world of your womb — merely this procedure has taken a giant leap from the confines of a doctor'south office to a storefront at the mall, with 3D- or 4D-ultrasounds. Is information technology prophylactic to take a peek inside your stomach on the way to the mall?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns confronting having ultrasounds for fun equally opposed to getting them for medical reasons. That's because the 3-dimensional imaging machines and procedures can expose your baby to more heat and for a longer time than the ultrasound machines at your doctor'south role.

Plus, many medical professionals say that but qualified technicians should perform the ultrasound and fear that nervous moms-to-be will come abroad mistakenly convinced at that place's something wrong with their baby. If you're withal interested in an elective sonogram, make sure to check with your practitioner for the go-ahead.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 32

Constipation

Your growing uterus is cramping your bowels, making them sluggish and irregular. Go some regular exercise — anything helps, from brisk walks to prenatal yoga — and drink upward! Read More

Leg cramps

Only as you're ready to drift off to dreamland you may feel a painful spasm in your calves — though no one is quite sure what causes the pain or why it's worse at night. One theory: There's a lack of calcium and magnesium in your diet. Ask your practitioner if taking an extra calcium supplement is a good idea and exist certain you're devouring your daily dose of dairy — bring on the cheese and yogurt! Read More

Faintness or dizziness

Feeling faint or giddy can exist a result of whatever number of things, including low blood saccharide. Don't forget to carry a protein-and-carb-rich snack in your bag to munch on when you experience dizzy. Granola bars, trail mix or soy chips are a great selection and may keep light-headedness at bay. Read More than

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, which are actually varicose veins in the rectum, can literally be a pain in the rear, specially if you spend a lot of time sitting. Ice packs or witch hazel can soothe, as can warm baths. Read More than

Colostrum (leaky breasts)

Equally your breasts get bigger in the third trimester, they may also leak a yellowish fluid called colostrum, which is the precursor to chest milk. This liquid, packed with protein and antibodies, is the first milk your baby will get. If the leaks are getting uncomfortable, try wearing nursing pads. Read More

Itchy tummy and skin

That swelling belly is getting itchier and itchier, every bit the peel stretches and dries out. If slathering on creams and moisturizers doesn't assist, attempt calamine or some other type of anti-itch lotion that soothes more stubborn cases. Or add oatmeal to your bathroom and take a soak in warm — not hot — water. Read More than

Tips for You This Week

Write downward your dreams

Keep a dream journal! Your night visions may be actress trippy these days, thanks to pregnancy hormones.

Pregnancy dreams and daydreams tend to peak during the tertiary trimester every bit slumber is more disrupted and you lot may increasingly notice yourself imagining what life with a new baby will be similar.

Don't stress over stretch marks

Try not to obsess about stretch marks. It'south estimated that up to 90 percent of women get them, according to the American University of Dermatology (AAD), so you're in fantastic company!

Over time, stretch marks gradually fade away on their own. And wait on the bright side: They're a sign your baby is growing beautifully.

Learn early labor signs

Unless you've gone into labor before, you're probably wondering how you'll know your labor symptoms are the real thing.

Learn the signs of labor in instance it'southward non obvious: contractions coming regularly and at closer intervals, period-like cramps, vaginal bleeding or spotting, a constant dull backache, diarrhea and a tightening feeling in your uterus. Your water might fifty-fifty break before you get to the infirmary, though don't count on that!

Snack away

With your big uterus crowding your insides, you may find your ambition waning now — shocking! Try to eat regular, small snacks, like a seize with teeth of a assistant with almond butter, or hummus and whole wheat crackers, instead of large meals.

Help plan your babe shower

Want to assist throw yourself a virtual or traditional baby shower? These events have looked very different due to COVID-xix protocols (though things are getting back to normal in a lot of places), merely you tin can get the party started by talking to a shut friend or relative about acting equally a host.

Earlier you send out invitations, create a infant registry — this way, your guests volition know what to requite yous. Skip some of the big-ticket items, such as cribs and strollers, and instead enquire for things like onesies, bibs, blankets and other baby-care essentials.

Moisturize oft

Feeling kind of crocodilian? Another side effect of your expanding body — and that belly that merely keeps on going and going — is dry out, itchy skin.

Here's one skilful soothing strategy: Moisturize early and often. Because your peel is nonetheless extra sensitive these days, look for moisturizers that have no dyes or perfumes and apply them when your skin is nevertheless damp to trap moisture in.

Other tips? Wearable lightweight cotton fiber clothes that will allow your skin to breathe, switch to a dye-and-perfume-free detergent and soak in an oatmeal bathroom.

Do pelvic tilts

Your pelvis is crucial to a polish pregnancy and delivery, so treat it well. One mode to strengthen your pelvis is to exercise pelvic tilts regularly. These easy exercises, which yous can do anywhere, can aid strengthen your abs, soothe backaches during pregnancy and labor, and make delivery become more smoothly.

At present that you're in your third trimester, tilts should be done in a continuing position — so find the nearest wall. To practise a continuing pelvic tilt, stand upwards straight and relax your spine. Breathing in securely, press the small of your back against the wall. Exhale, and and so repeat for about five minutes.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Wait follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such every bit peer-reviewed studies, bookish inquiry institutions and highly respected wellness organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-appointment by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Pelvic Tilt Exercises During Pregnancy, September 2018.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Dry Skin During Pregnancy, November 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, x Signs of Labor, June 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Are Pregnancy Sex Dreams Normal? 10 Mutual Pregnancy Dreams and What They Might Mean, March 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Stretch Marks During and After Pregnancy, Apr 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How to Make an Oatmeal Bath, June 2021.
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