32 weeks pregnant: what happens to the baby?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

At the 32nd week of pregnancy, the body of both mother and child is actively preparing for childbirth. Some of the baby's organs are still developing, but cardinal changes will no longer occur. And even if premature birth begins, the baby will be born quite viable and he althy.

Moms start counting the days until the long-awaited meeting with their baby. The growing belly is getting bigger every day. What happens at 32 weeks pregnant 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 occur with her and the child, as well as a lot of other useful information.

32 weeks - obstetric or fetal?

This term brings mom even closer to meeting the baby. But many women find it difficult to calculate: 32 weeks of pregnancy - how many months are they? If acounted according to the generally accepted calendar, then this is the 7th lunar month. But in medicine, weeks of pregnancy are counted, adding them up to 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).

Obstetric period begins from the first day of the last menstruation of a woman, and embryonic, 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 according to the obstetric principle.

Feelings

Feelings at 32-33 weeks of pregnancy can hardly be called pleasant. The body works in extreme conditions, and for this reason, many women experience heartburn, belching, shortness of breath (the uterus presses hard on the diaphragm), and frequent constipation. A common thing at this stage of pregnancy is 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 movements of the baby. 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 fine with him. In general, it is believed that the child should make himself known at least 6-7 times per hour. In addition, it shouldtake into account that the child at the 32nd week of pregnancy already sees and hears everything, in addition, it is sensitive to changes in the mood of the mother. A bright light, a mother's anger, a loud sound, and even a woman's depression can make him more active.

In the last trimester, a woman's sleep worsens.

At this time, the pelvic joints begin to expand, and this often leads to discomfort, and sometimes to pulling pain in this area.

The big belly now brings additional worries and inconveniences. With him it is difficult to bend over and perform the usual before this period of action.

Physiological changes

A woman's body at the 32nd week of pregnancy works in an intensive mode, ensuring the safety and comfort of the baby. The child is quite viable and practically formed. However, it still takes about 6 weeks for full maturity.

A woman experiences hormonal changes during this period. The body begins to produce relaxin, which prepares the pelvic bones for the upcoming birth. The production of prolactin also increases, which changes the emotional and psychological state of a woman. She becomes more nervous, whiny, quick-tempered.

Child Development

In the early stages, the fetus is located in the uterus head up. It is spacious and comfortable for him there, he tumbles and performs acrobatic stunts. The uterus becomes cramped for him, he is growing rapidly. A child at 32 weeks of gestation takes its final position - head down. But it 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 the baby is born ass forward, in medical language this phenomenon is called breech presentation. But it is worth noting that such childbirth is more difficult, many women prefer not to take risks and decide on a caesarean section.

The length of the baby during this period of pregnancy is an average of 42.5 centimeters. At 32 weeks pregnant, the baby weighs about 1 kilogram 700 grams. There are still 6-8 weeks before the birth, and during this time he will have to gain about the same amount, 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, pushing legs and arms, turning his head. When he gets tired, he immediately falls asleep and is already able to dream.

What else can a baby do during this period of his development?

• A fetus at 32 weeks pregnant already has hair on its head and nails on its feet and hands.
• He hears perfectly and distinguishes voices perfectly, especially his mother's.
• He looks almost like a newborn, only very thin.
• His pupils react to light so he closes his eyes when he sleeps.
• He is actively working on his own immunity, replenishing his reserves at the expense of his mother, that is, he takes immunoglobulins from her 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 trouble suckling, but the baby will be quite viable.

Mom Development

A woman's body is working hard. She has had false contractions since 30 weeks. The mammary glands are enlarged, colostrum is secreted from the breast from time to time.

Due to the growing 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, you should not wear uncomfortable shoes and walk in places where you can stumble and fall.

Expectant mother should not sleep on her back, this leads to compression 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 your side.

Belly

Belly at 32 weeks of pregnancy very clearly indicates the "interesting position" in which the woman is. It is already quite large, 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 abdomen and thighs 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 across the entire stomach from top to bottom, 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

Weight asmother and child continues to increase. So, at the 32nd week 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, choose the optimal diet that will allow you to control weight. First of all, cut down on milk and carbohydrates, but eat more fiber and protein-rich foods.

Pain

Pregnancy is gradually coming to an end, a woman's body is undergoing tremendous changes, which are often accompanied by pains characteristic of this period. For example, at 32 weeks pregnant, your back, lower back, and legs hurt.

To reduce this pain, you need to:

• watch your weight;
• sleep on hard mattresses;
• do physical exercises and gymnastics;
• watch 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 pushes.

At the 32nd week of pregnancy, swelling of the arms, legs, face is characteristic. This is the norm, but if the swelling is strong and does not go away after a day, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid complications such as preeclampsia (a dangerous pathological condition of a pregnant woman that can end badly for both mother and child).

Rules to deal with edema problem:

• walkingoutdoors;
• control of fluid intake (but not less than 2 liters per day);
• water aerobics and swimming;
• restriction of s alt intake (but it is impossible to completely exclude it from the diet);
• not stay in the same position for a long time;
• sleep only with a cushion underfoot.

Sex life

Women are wondering: is it possible to have sex at 32 weeks pregnant 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 do not actively and often practice physical intimacy, as this can stimulate labor. In addition, you should choose the right positions for intimacy to eliminate pressure on the stomach.

Research and analysis at this time

In the third trimester, it is necessary to visit a doctor once a week who observes the pregnancy. He measures blood pressure, weighs the woman and listens to the fetal heartbeat.

Before each visit to the doctor, a general urine test is done, which characterizes the functioning of the kidneys.

At the 30th obstetric week, you should receive 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 maternity hospital.

At the 32nd week, as a rule, a third mandatory ultrasound is prescribed (performed at the 30-34th week of pregnancy).

Ultrasound

Ultrasound at 32 weeks pregnant ismandatory and planned research. It allows you to assess the development of the fetus and the state of the placenta in order to diagnose its insufficiency, which threatens intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus. In addition, on ultrasound, the doctor will be able to determine the position of the baby, and if the baby has not yet turned upside down, then he will prescribe certain exercises to the mother. In addition, ultrasound will help predict the likely size of the fetus at the time of birth. With these criteria, doctors decide whether a woman will give birth naturally or by caesarean section.

Factors that may affect the child

The baby is almost formed, in addition, he is protected by the placental barrier, but there are some factors that can still affect him:

• It's all the food mom eats. How much the baby is provided with nutrients and vitamins depends on her nutrition.
• Substances such as ethanol, nicotine and drugs pass through the placenta. Their use is strictly prohibited.
• Harmful chemicals should be avoided, especially those with a strong pungent odor (e.g. varnishes, paints, acetone).

Can I take medication?

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 consultation with him, as a rule, admission is allowed:

• anti-inflammatory drugs that are not steroidal;
• drugs against allergies, but only 2-3rd generation;
• drugs that lower blood pressure;
• antispasmodics;
• vitamins, iron preparations;
• 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. A significant increase in kilograms can provoke the development of obesity, metabolic disorders, diabetes.

If there is very little calcium in food, 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. And the 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 has a very negative effect on the work of all organs, including the placenta, therefore, both mother and child suffer. In case of a threat to life, they resort to a caesarean section.

Physical activity

Pregnancy, as you know, is not a disease. Staying in the same position for a long time negatively affects the he alth of mother and baby. Therefore, gentle physical activity is very useful at any stage of pregnancy. Respiratorygymnastics, it very well helps to prepare the body for childbirth. You can do yoga, aerobics, exercise. Water aerobics is very useful, it is much easier to do many exercises in water due to the fact that body weight becomes less in it.

Swimming is good for any stage of pregnancy. Water helps to relax, unloads the spine and lower back.

You should start doing Kegel exercises. They strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor well, this will facilitate the process of childbirth and help you recover faster after them.