Pregnancy Week 32
Baby’s Growth During the 32nd Week of Pregnancy
Your baby is gearing up to make the grand debut into the world. Weighing in at almost 4 pounds and just about 19 inches, these last few weeks are all about practice and weight gain for your baby.
It’s time for your baby to fine tune those skills to thrive in the world: breaking, sucking, swallowing, and kicking. For weight gain, your baby is packing on the pounds as fat accumulates under your baby’s skin. Suddenly that skin is becoming less transparent, more opaque, soft, and smooth.
Body Changes in the 32nd Week of Pregnancy
As your baby’s growing needs increase, your body goes into overtime. Your blood volume has increased 40 to 50% since you got pregnant and your uterus is pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding in on your stomach’s space. The consequences of all this crowding may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help with the discomfort, eat smaller meals and try sleeping propped up with multiple pillows.
If you have an aching back and it’s not preterm labor, you can blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes once again. As your uterus expands it shifts, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles. This changes your posture and puts a strain on your back.
