As you approach the final weeks of your pregnancy, it can feel a bit exhausting, but remember each week brings you closer to meeting your little one.
What Changes Are Happening to Your Body?
At this stage, the top of your uterus is now about five inches above your belly button. This height can create some breathing difficulties or feelings of shortness of breath, as your expanding uterus presses against your diaphragm. Additionally, you might experience increased acidity due to this pressure.
Most likely, you’re gaining about a pound each week. Your blood volume has surged by 40% to 50% over the past 32 weeks, allowing your body to support both you and your baby. This increased blood volume is crucial as it compensates for the blood loss you’ll experience during childbirth.
How Big Is Your Baby?
Your baby is just over 16 inches (40.6 cm) long and weighs between 4 and 4.5 pounds (1.8 to 2 kg).
What’s Happening with Your Baby?
Your baby continues to grow. Fingernails have formed, and the lungs are developing, though they won’t be fully mature for several more weeks. The skeleton is now fully formed, but the bones remain soft and flexible.
What Should You Plan for This Week?
If you haven’t experienced any complications during your pregnancy, you’ve likely been visiting your healthcare provider once a month. Around this time, however, you should expect to start visiting them every two weeks. This frequency will continue for the next four weeks, after which you’ll begin having weekly appointments.
Have you decided whether you want to bank your baby’s cord blood? Cord blood contains stem cells that can treat various diseases, similar to bone marrow, but with a lower risk of rejection. It’s important to have a medical history and risk assessment to determine if cord blood banking is right for you.
Tips to Improve Your Pregnancy Experience
Last week, we discussed Braxton Hicks contractions. If you’re experiencing these early contractions, here are some methods to help relieve them:
- Change positions: Lie down if you’ve been standing, or take a walk if you’ve been sitting or lying down.
- Take a warm bath for 30 minutes or less.
- Drink a couple of glasses of water, as dehydration can trigger contractions.
- Enjoy a warm cup of herbal tea or milk.
If these steps don’t alleviate your contractions, reach out to your healthcare provider for further guidance.
Advice for Your Partner
With the arrival of your baby on the horizon, it’s natural to reconsider your priorities. Start thinking about what life will look like once your little one arrives. If you plan to be present for the birth, some planning may be necessary, especially if your job involves travel.
Once your baby arrives, consider how you can ensure that you have time for both your newborn and your partner. Is working from home an option for you? These are important discussions you and your partner should have as the big day approaches.
For more information on preparing for childbirth, check out our blog post on enhancing labor with the need for support. If you’re looking into home insemination, resources like Make A Mom offer a reusable option and provide insights on how at-home insemination works here. You can also explore NHS’s guide on intrauterine insemination for additional information. For more insights, visit Modern Family Blog for expert advice on parenting and pregnancy.
Summary
At 32 weeks pregnant, your body is adapting to support the growing baby, and your baby is continuing to develop rapidly. It’s essential to start planning for the upcoming changes, including potential decisions about cord blood banking and the frequency of healthcare visits. Use this time to consider your home life after the baby arrives and to prepare for childbirth.