By the 32nd week of pregnancy, the baby can take a stable position in the uterus, gradually preparing for its birth. In this period, the movements are not as active as before. This is due to the fact that in the mother’s belly there is less and less space.
Gestational age
Each woman with the approach of long-awaited birth begins to count the days before their onset. However, not all mothers fully understand what period they are on. 32 weeks on the traditional lunar cycle can be equated to 7 months - this will be correct. However, in medicine this approach to counting is not used.
The obstetric month includes 28 days. Therefore, 32 weeks of gestation means that the mother is at 8 months. Such a period will be indicated on the card with ultrasound and in the records of doctors.
Do not confuse the obstetric and generally accepted lunar month. Doctors always set the gestational age and approximate date of birth on their calendar. Therefore, before the birth of the baby exactly 2 obstetric months remain.
Weight 32 weeks
By this time, the fetus can already reach a mass of up to 2000 g, but not in all cases this is a good sign. According to experts, the weight of the fetus at 32 weeks of gestation, the norm of which should be within 1800 g, depends on various factors.
If during the last trimester, my mother was seriously ill and resorted to taking antibiotics, you should expect small deviations. In this case, the fetal weight at 32 weeks (normal) will be 1600-1700 g. This deviation is not critical for the child, since there is still a lot of time ahead for gaining optimal body weight. However, mom should take care of nutrition and vitamin supplements.
It is worth noting: if a woman has a large figure and magnificent forms, then the weight of the fetus (32 weeks), the norm of which can vary from 1800 to 2100 g, will be appropriate. If the mother herself is thin and small, then her child may be slightly smaller than usual. This is all in order. The weight of the fetus directly depends on the physiology of the mother.
Also in this aspect, the hormonal background of a woman plays an important role. If its level is deviated from the norm, then the body weight of the embryo will differ from the recommended weight in 1800. The development and growth of the baby is affected by the mother’s lifestyle: her bad habits, hygiene, nutrition, and regimen.
In addition, experts note some deviations from the norm when a pregnancy occurs at a very early age (32 weeks): the fetal weight is likely to not exceed the mark of 1400 g, the length of the spine can be less than 35 cm, and the limbs are inactive. This applies to cases when conception occurs in girls under 15 years old.
Fetal development at 32 weeks
At this time, the baby’s height can reach up to 43 cm, and his weight can be between 1700-1900, At 32 weeks the baby is already turned upside down, and his legs are rested on the ribs of the mother. Starting from the 8th obstetric month, fetal movements can cause considerable discomfort to the expectant mother.
During this period, the baby is already fully formed. Now he even has his own mode of wakefulness and sleep. It is worth noting: the closer to childbirth, the longer the child is in a calm state. According to statistics, it takes him up to 90% of his time to sleep.
From the point of view of physiology, by the 32nd week of pregnancy the baby is already proportional. His legs and arms became chubby, wrinkles smoothed out, and his skin became elastic. It so happened that by this time there is very little space in the mother’s stomach, so the child is forced to remain in
the fetal position. For this reason, newborns often have curved, rounded legs, but in the near future they will straighten themselves.
At 32 weeks, the fetus was almost complete to develop. The only organ that continues to ripen is the lungs. The cerebral cortex is already covered with convolutions, activity cycles are formed, as well as nerve reflexes. In the event of premature birth, the baby will be able to emotionally respond to the environment. At this point, the organs of vision allow him to see relatively well, and the pupils expand and contract depending on the brightness of the light.
Pregnant weight at 32 weeks
Throughout the entire term, a woman is rapidly gaining kilograms. This fact should not be upset, however, it is important to distinguish between normal weight and excessive weight . By the end of pregnancy, the increase in total body weight should not exceed 16-17 kg.
As for 32-33 weeks, the weight of the fetus is already quite large. Therefore, the mother will still get better. So, by this time, the optimal increase in body weight of a pregnant woman is 12 kg. Naturally, it all depends on the initial complexion of a woman. In general, 10 to 15 kg of weight will be a normal increase in 32 weeks.
If deviations in this indicator are observed, then it is worth taking care of a change in diet. First of all, it is the nutrition of the mother that directly affects her figure and the development of the fetus, therefore it is not recommended to overeat. It is better to eat food in small portions, but more often. Also, more protein (poultry or rabbit meat) should be included in the diet. Nutritionists often prescribe to expectant mothers an increase in the daily dose of fish and dairy products.
Belly at 32 weeks
Many women complain of severe irritation and dry skin in the ribs. This is due to the fact that the weight of the fetus at 32 weeks of gestation is already essential for the mother's body. Under its weight, the skin can even crack. Most often, stretch marks are observed. All this leads to severe discomfort in the abdomen.
Stretch marks and cracks first form under the navel and on the hips, and then appear at the ribs and on the back. The more the baby grows, the more the skin will be irritated, but you do not need to focus on it. A variety of moisturizing and tightening gels and creams will help pregnant women.
Sensations at Week 32
Discomfort at this time is limited not only to the skin. When the pregnancy is 32 weeks old, the weight of the fetus plays an important role in locating the internal organs of the expectant mother. The heavier the baby, the greater the pressure on the kidneys and bladder. It often happens that the internal organs of a woman undergo temporary deformation, and also shift to the side.
If the fetal weight at 32 weeks is higher than normal, then mom begins to experience pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, hence shortness of breath and a high need for constant fresh air. Also at this time, the uterus begins to put pressure on the stomach and intestines, so constipation and bouts of heartburn are quite likely. One of the most delicate and common problems in pregnant women in the last trimester is hemorrhoids, which can worsen up to childbirth.
Ultrasound norm at 32 weeks
By the end of the 8th obstetric month, expectant mothers should have a routine ultrasound scan done. Ultrasound first of all assesses the overall development of the child, as well as the condition of the placenta.
This is the penultimate routine examination before the birth of the baby. During it, the fetal weight is estimated (32 weeks - the norm is within 1.8 kg), height (40-43 cm), dimensions of the limbs and internal organs. All pathologies are detected by earlier ultrasound, and now the general condition of the child and his position inside the womb are examined.
By this time, the baby should be in the uterus upside down, so that later the birth passed without incident and surgery. If the child is turned incorrectly, then the gynecologist recommends that mom perform special exercises daily. This will help bring the infant into a head presentation if an average fetal weight of 32 weeks is observed. The norm in this situation is up to 1.8 kg. If the weight of the fetus at 32 weeks is 1600 g or less, then special exercises are not necessary, since the baby is small and will be able to roll over again before childbirth.
The situation is much worse if the baby scored too much by this moment. If the fetal weight at 32 weeks is more than 2 kg, and the child is located upside down, then you need to resort to special medications, which are prescribed only by your doctor. Otherwise, a woman during childbirth will need a procedure such as a cesarean section. It is not worth making final conclusions on ultrasound at this time, since there are still 2 months ahead.
Week 32: Early Childbirth
By this period of pregnancy, the ability of the child to survive is extremely high. Therefore, do not be afraid if the contractions suddenly begin at 32 weeks. As practice shows, the baby receives most injuries at birth in the early stages due to oversight of doctors, so it is very important to choose good obstetricians.
If the weight of the fetus reaches the norm at 32 weeks, then you should not worry about the consequences. At this age, the child is able to survive with a weight of 1.5 kg. If the weight of the fetus at 32 weeks is significantly higher than normal, then you need to prepare for difficult births, which may result in surgery. In any case, it all depends on the qualifications of the medical staff.
What to fear
The main thing that future mothers should worry about is not to get sick. At this time, even a minor infection or virus can lead to a miscarriage. Fortunately, all the organs of the baby are already formed, so the disease will practically not affect their development.
The most dangerous diseases that can lead to an undesirable outcome are
placental insufficiency, late toxicosis and oligohydramnios.
Useful Tips
1. At 32 weeks of pregnancy, you can not spend a long time lying on your back or one side.
2. It is not recommended to eat spicy and fried foods.
3. In case of illness, it is necessary to undergo a course of herbal remedies.
4. At night, the baby in the stomach can be stroked and singing lullabies so that he prepares for sleep and begins to get used to the correct regimen.