Community32 Weeks Pregnant
Your Pregnancy Week by Week
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Your Baby at 32 Weeks
Size: 16.69 inches (42.4 cm) - crown to heelWeight: 3.75 pounds (1702 grams)
Right now your baby is filling their days with lots of preparation for birth. As fat stores continue to deposit, baby is taking on a more solid appearance and losing the almost transparent skin they had before. Since about the 20th week, your baby has been secreting a waxy, white substance known as Vernix to protect their skin. Vernix is comprised of oil and skin cells and helps form a barrier between your baby's watery home and their tender new skin. Some Vernix may still be present at birth, but it will be washed away with the first bath.
Have you seen a spaghetti squash in the grocery? If you haven't take a look on your next shopping trip - because your baby is about the same weight this week. Right now, he or she is on target to gain at least 2 more pounds before the end of this month, and the powerful brain is still creating neurons and connections that are essential for normal bodily functions.
You may not feel the baby moving as much as before, but close quarters have your little one pushing, stretching and flexing now - as opposed to those kicks you felt earlier on. Even though these movements are smaller, they are still very important so let your doctor know if you notice any decreases in movement.
Mom at 32 Weeks Pregnant
Your uterus is now 5 inches above your belly button and your intestines are pushed upward,
and off to each side - located under the ribs now, as opposed to the abdominal cavity where
they were before.Changes in location, combined with hormonal relaxation of the muscle wall may leave you with some digestive troubles around this time as well. Just like in the months before--heartburn, constipation, and indigestion may be a normal part of your daily routine once again. Try eating small, frequent meals and sitting upright for at least thirty minutes after eating to help your stomach contents stay down.
Increasing pressure from the weight of the uterus (and hormones, of course) is also keeping your lower half from circulating blood as it normally would. As a result, you can expect your varicose veins, hemorrhoids and leg cramps to continue. If any of these are causing discomfort, talk with your doctor.
The coming weeks will bring more of the same physical symptoms, but you may begin to feel a tiny bit more nervous as well. As the big day approaches, make sure to talk with those close to you about any concerns or uncertainties that you may have.
It's very normal to have feelings of apprehension or anxiety when your baby's due date draws closer. Just remember that millions of women have done this before you, and you can do it too.
Weight Gain:
You might feel like a beached whale right about now, or you may want to run the closest 5K, but despite your energy level, your weight gain should be somewhere in the ballpark of about 20-21 pounds or so if you are carrying just one baby.
Tips/Advice:
Take it easy, cut back on all strenuous activities if you feel overly tired. Walking is still a great way to get exercise without straining yourself, as is swimming. Some classes are also designed with the mom-to-be in mind - so keep your eye out for prenatal yoga or aerobics classes. Your growing belly is probably making it more difficult to continue some exercise programs, so adjust your routine and keep the high-impact exercises (like running, aerobics and kickboxing) on hold for the next few months.
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