At 32 weeks of pregnancy, the body of both the mother and the baby is actively preparing for childbirth. Some of the baby’s organs are still developing, but there will be no drastic changes. And even if premature birth begins, the baby will be born completely viable and healthy.
Moms begin to count the days until the long-awaited meeting with their baby. The growing belly becomes bigger every day. What happens at 32 weeks of pregnancy with mom and baby? What do they feel and experience? The article will discuss this amazing and exciting period of pregnancy. Women in an interesting position will be able to find out what is recommended and what is forbidden to do during this period, what physiological changes are happening to her and her child, as well as a lot of other useful information.
32 weeks - obstetric or fetal term?
This period brings mother closer to meeting her baby. But many women find it difficult to calculate: 32 weeks of pregnancy - how many months are they? If we take it according to the generally accepted calendar, then this is the 7th lunar month. But in medicine, weeks of pregnancy are counted, folding them into obstetric months, which consist of exactly 4 weeks, therefore, if we count the months according to the obstetric principle, then the 32nd week is the 8th month. In turn, this obstetric period corresponds to the 30th week of embryonic development (that is, the development of pregnancy from the moment of conception).
The obstetric period begins on the first day of the last menstruation of the woman, and the fetal period, respectively - from the moment of conception. But since many women find it difficult to give the last date as accurately as possible, it is customary in medicine to keep a report on the obstetric principle.
Feel
Sensations at 32-33 weeks of pregnancy can hardly be called pleasant. The body works under extreme conditions, and for this reason, many women experience heartburn, belching, shortness of breath (the uterus puts great pressure on the diaphragm), and frequent constipation. The usual thing at this stage of pregnancy are training contractions, as a result of which the uterus begins its preparation for the upcoming birth. But there are also joyful moments: at this time you can quite clearly feel the baby's movements. He already has very little space in the uterus, so his movements are very distinct.
In the third trimester, it is necessary to control all the movements of the baby: a decrease or increase in their number indicates how he feels and whether everything is normal with him. In general, it is believed that the child should make himself known at least 6-7 times per hour. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the child at 32 weeks of gestation already sees and hears everything, in addition, he is sensitive to changes in mother’s mood. Bright light, mother’s anger, loud sound and even depression of a woman can make him behave more actively.
In the last trimester, a woman's sleep worsens.
At this time, the joints of the pelvis begin to expand, and this often leads to discomfort, and sometimes to pulling pain in this area.
Big belly now delivers additional worries and inconveniences. It is difficult to bend with him and carry out the usual actions before this period.
Physiological changes
The body of a woman at 32 weeks of gestation is working intensively, providing safety and comfort to the baby. The child is quite viable and practically formed. However, for full maturity, about 6 weeks are still needed.
A woman in this period is undergoing hormonal changes. The body begins to produce relaxin, which prepares the pelvic bones for the upcoming birth. The production of prolactin, which changes the emotional and psychological state of a woman, is also increasing. She becomes more nervous, tearful, quick-tempered.
Child development
In the early stages, the fetus is located in the uterus head up. He is spacious and comfortable there, he tumbles and performs acrobatic stunts. The uterus becomes cramped for him, he is growing rapidly. The child at 32 weeks of gestation takes its final position - head down. But this may happen later.
If the baby has not rolled over, the doctor helps him to do this with the help of special techniques. Sometimes it happens that a baby is born ass forward, in medical language this phenomenon is called buttock presentation. But it is worth noting that such childbirth is more difficult, many women prefer not to take risks and decide on a cesarean section.
The length of the baby during this period of pregnancy averages 42.5 centimeters. At 32 weeks of gestation, the baby weighs approximately 1 kilogram 700 grams. Another 6-8 weeks before delivery, and during this time he will have to gain about the same, although his growth will slow down significantly.
During the period of activity, the baby trains movements that will be useful to him immediately after birth: breathing, sucking, swallowing, tremors with legs and arms, head turns. When he gets tired, he immediately falls asleep and is already able to dream.
What else can a baby do during this period of its development?
- At 32 weeks of gestation, the fetus already has hair on its head and nails on its legs and arms.
- He perfectly hears and perfectly distinguishes voices, especially mother's.
- He is almost like a newborn, only very thin.
- His pupils react to light, so he closes his eyes during sleep.
- He actively works on his own immunity, replenishes his reserves at the expense of his mother, that is, takes her immunoglobulins and forms his own antibodies, which will protect him after birth.
- His skin turns pink.
- His muscles are not yet fully formed, so if he is born this week, he will have problems with sucking, but the child will be quite viable.
Mom's development
The body of a woman works in a stressful mode. Since the 30th week, she has had false contractions. The mammary glands enlarge, and colostrum is released from the chest from time to time.
Due to the enlarging uterus, the center of gravity shifts, the gait changes, and, in turn, the load on the legs, lower back, and back increases. During this period, do not wear uncomfortable shoes and walk in places where you can stumble and fall.
The expectant mother should not sleep on her back, this leads to squeezing of the vena cava, which disrupts the functioning of the heart and lungs. This increases the pressure in the veins of the lower extremities. It is recommended to sleep only on one side.
Stomach
The abdomen at 32 weeks gestation very clearly indicates the "interesting position" in which the woman is. It is already big enough, the skin on it becomes very dry and sensitive from time to time.
This is the time when the risk of stretch marks on the stomach and hips is very high. To prevent these aesthetic problems, it is necessary to use special tools.
A specific dark line has already appeared on the stomach, which stretches from top to bottom across the entire stomach, it becomes even darker at the 32nd week and divides it exactly into two halves.
At the same time, the shape of the navel changes, it slowly stretches and becomes completely flat.
Weight gain
The weight of both mother and baby continues to increase. So, at 32 weeks of pregnancy, the rate of increase is +12 kilograms, and until the end of pregnancy - about 15-16 kilograms. If the increase is more significant, it is necessary to change the diet and, together with the doctor, select the optimal diet that will allow you to control weight. First of all, you should reduce the consumption of milk and carbohydrates, but eat more fiber and food containing protein.
Pain
Pregnancy is gradually drawing to an end, the woman’s body is undergoing tremendous changes, which are often accompanied by pain characteristic of this period. For example, at 32 weeks of pregnancy, the back, lower back, and legs hurt.
To reduce these pain sensations, it is necessary:
- monitor weight;
- sleep on hard mattresses;
- engage in physical exercises and gymnastics;
- monitor your posture;
- Do not walk or stand for long periods.
At this time, the woman experiences unpleasant pulling pains in the chest area, such sensations are associated with the baby's tremors.
At 32 weeks of gestation, swelling of the arms, legs, face is characteristic. This is the norm, but if the swelling is severe and does not go away after a day, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid complications such as gestosis (a dangerous pathological condition of a pregnant woman, which can end badly for both mother and baby).
Rules to deal with the problem of edema:
- walks in the open air;
- control of drinking fluid (but not less than 2 liters per day);
- water aerobics and swimming;
- restriction of salt intake (but it cannot be completely excluded from the diet);
- not to be in the same position for a long time;
- sleep only with the roller under your feet.
Sex life
Women are wondering: is it possible to have sex at 32 weeks of gestation and will it harm the baby? In general, this is not contraindicated if the pregnancy is proceeding normally and there are no threats that the doctor diagnoses. But you should not actively and often practice physical intimacy, as this can stimulate childbirth. In addition, you should choose the right postures for sex to exclude pressure on the stomach.
Research and analysis at this time
In the third trimester, you need to visit a doctor who observes pregnancy once a week. It measures blood pressure, weighs a woman and listens to the fetal heartbeat.
Before each visit to the doctor, a general urinalysis is performed, which characterizes the work of the kidneys.
At the 30th obstetric week, you should get an exchange card with the results of examinations and analyzes. This document should always be carried with you, it is necessary for admission to the hospital.
At the 32nd week, as a rule, a third mandatory ultrasound is prescribed (performed on the 30-34th week of pregnancy).
Ultrasonography
Ultrasound at 32 weeks of gestation is a mandatory and planned study. It allows you to evaluate the development of the fetus and the condition of the placenta in order to diagnose its insufficiency, which threatens intrauterine growth retardation. In addition, at the ultrasound, the doctor will be able to determine the position of the baby, and if the baby has not yet turned its head down, then it will prescribe certain exercises to mom. In addition, ultrasound will help predict the probable size of the fetus at the time of birth. Using these criteria, doctors decide whether a woman will give birth: naturally or using a cesarean section.
Factors That May Affect Your Baby
The child is practically formed, in addition, he is protected by the placental barrier, but there are some factors that can still affect him:
- This is all that mom eats. From her nutrition depends how much the baby is provided with nutrients and vitamins.
- Harmful substances like ethanol, nicotine and drugs cross the placenta. Their use is strictly prohibited.
- Harmful chemicals, especially those with a strong pungent odor (e.g. varnishes, paints, acetone), should be avoided.
Can I take medicine?
In the last months of pregnancy, you can use almost all local drugs that do not enter the bloodstream. But this does not mean at all that you can self-medicate. Any drug should be prescribed only by a doctor. After consulting with him, as a rule, the reception is allowed:
- anti-inflammatory drugs that are not steroidal;
- anti-allergy drugs, but only of the 2-3rd generation;
- medicines that lower blood pressure;
- antispasmodics;
- vitamins, preparations with iron;
- Laxatives with lactulose.
In addition, the doctor will select relatively safe antibiotics if necessary.
Possible complications
In the third trimester of pregnancy, you should monitor your weight. Significant increases in kilograms can trigger the development of obesity, metabolic disorders, and diabetes.
If there is very little calcium in the food, then it will be washed out of the bones and blood vessels, this will lead to the development of varicose veins, hemorrhoids, osteoporosis of varying severity. A lack of vitamin D in food leads to rickets in babies, immediately after their birth.
The most dangerous complication is preeclampsia. It is expressed by a strong increase in blood pressure, the appearance of severe edema and protein in the urine. The disease very negatively affects the work of all organs, including the placenta, therefore, both the mother and the child suffer. In case of a threat to life, they resort to cesarean section.
Physical activity
Pregnancy is not a disease, as you know. A long stay in the same position negatively affects the health of the mother and baby. Therefore, gentle physical activity is very useful at any stage of pregnancy. Recommended breathing exercises, it very well helps prepare the body for childbirth. You can do yoga, aerobics, exercise. Aqua aerobics is very useful; in water, many exercises are much easier to do due to the fact that in it the body weight becomes less.
Swimming is beneficial at any stage of pregnancy. Water helps to relax, unloads the load on the spine and lower back.
Kegel exercises should begin. They well strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, this will facilitate the process of childbirth and help to recover faster after them.