32 obstetric week of pregnancy - the weight of the fetus is about 1.7 kg, the size from the crown to the heels is 40-42 cm. Every week the fetus gains weight up to 250 g. Sudden movements can cause dizziness and lightheadedness in the expectant mother. It's time to think about the possible presence of someone close to you at birth.
Count the weeks
32 weeks gestation - how many months is it? - It's eight lunar. The 32nd obstetric week is the thirtieth from conception. Methods for calculating terms - here.
What happens to the fetus
Now the main “activity” for your child is growth and weight gain. Some babies grow more intensively than others. This explains such significant differences in the parameters of newborns. Ask your family and friends. Someone had a baby weighing 4 kg, and someone - only 2.5. The difference in height is also quite large (45-55 cm, or even more).
In twin pregnancies, babies are always smaller than in singleton pregnancies with the same duration. Usually, the weight of twins at the 32nd week reaches 1.5 kg, and their height is 38-39 cm.
The body of the fetus begins to prepare in its own way for the upcoming birth. Immunity is activated. The fact is that in the womb, the fetus is literally sterile, it does not have any microorganisms. Passing through the birth canal of the mother, the child acquires its own microflora. Since not all bacteria around the newborn will be beneficial, the immune system should be at its best.
The fetal endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of various hormones, continues to improve. This is another essential process for the life ahead.
The skin of the fetus continues to smooth out a little, the fluff on it disappears. In general, your baby now looks like a real newborn, only a little one. The fetus is surrounded by about a liter of amniotic fluid, which is renewed every three hours.
Does the baby under the mother's heart control its movements? No, there is no awareness and coordination now. All muscle contractions, pushing into the walls of the uterus, facial expressions, grabbing the umbilical cord are the result of the most complex activity of the brain.
How should the fetus be positioned?
Already at this time, many children are positioned completely correctly - in the head presentation. There is also a breech presentation (buttocks down). It happens that the fetus "settles" across the uterus or with some kind of turn.
Doctors identify many types of fetal presentation. Some of them are clear indications for caesarean section.
There is still quite a lot of time left before the birth. Do not be afraid of the wrong position of the fetus, it can change more than once. With a head presentation, a bandage is definitely needed - it will help the baby stay in the correct position. In other cases, the bandage will have to be abandoned until the presentation of your fetus becomes headache. If this does not happen until the very birth, the doctor may recommend an operative delivery (caesarean section).
With whom to give birth?
Already now you need to think about the presence of family members during childbirth. Of course, the first candidate in this case is the child's father. But in difficult times, there may be a mother, sister or close friend nearby. Is it good or bad?
For example, if you know for sure that the father of your baby does not tolerate the sight of blood, then he definitely cannot go to the birth ward. Otherwise, doctors will have to help not only you, but also the dad who has collapsed into a swoon. Such cases are not uncommon. However, there are now many courses on preparing for childbirth. They explain to women and men the subtleties of this process, methods of relieving pain, breathing techniques. If you are attending these classes with the child's father, this is very serious.
Decide together. Perhaps a close and dear person should be close only in the first stage of labor, when you begin to have regular contractions, but the birth canal has not yet opened. This will help you feel mentally comfortable. A special massage will help relieve pain during labor. Discuss all these issues in advance with your loved ones.
Of course, the presence of relatives at childbirth must fit into the regime of a medical institution or be negotiated in a special contract.
What the expectant mother feels - discharge, pain, complications
The third trimester is considered the most difficult time of pregnancy. You may be experiencing many unpleasant sensations now.
Constipation, heartburn, and shortness of breath are common in the third trimester. However, these unwanted manifestations of your pregnancy can be alleviated or even eliminated. How to do it - read the section “Recommendations”.
Edema requires special attention. If they appear on the arms and legs in the late afternoon, but quickly pass, you do not need to worry. Raise your arms and legs periodically, wear compression socks. Persistent edema is a sign of late toxicosis. A significant increase in weight (more than 0.5 kg per week) may be a sign of internal edema. This is already a serious complication of pregnancy, which is important to inform your doctor about. Read more about late toxicosis in this article.
Mild pain in the lower back, back, hips, ribs and perineum indicate a gradual expansion of bones and internal organs. You just need to get used to such discomfort, after childbirth everything will go away.
Fetal movements can also be painful. A sharp push of your favorite leg under the ribs can even make you cry out.
Normal vaginal discharge is scanty, light, and faint. For any deviations, see a doctor.
The main threat. Bleeding, watery leakage is a signal of the danger of premature birth. In this case, the help of doctors is needed urgently..
A feeling as if the entire abdomen is being pulled (or just below) often occurs during training contractions. They should be rare, without strict periodicity.
Any severe pain indicates some kind of disorder in the body. Always tell your doctor about them, and if the pain becomes unbearable, call an ambulance.
Pain at 31-32 weeks of gestation FAQ:
Premature birth
If your child, for some reason, is born at this time, he gets a great chance of survival. However, due to muscular immaturity, such a newborn will probably not be able to suckle on its own. Other developmental problems are also possible. Modern medical equipment allows to provide premature babies with optimal conditions for their final development. And yet, at the 32nd week of pregnancy, childbirth is still undesirable.
Twins and triplets are almost always prematurely born. The burden on the mother's body is very high, and this often interferes with the full delivery of pregnancy. Mothers with multiple pregnancies need to be especially attentive to their health, general well-being and feelings.
Analyzes and examinations
If you have not yet undergone the next scheduled ultrasound scan, it may be prescribed. It will be checked:
- the location of the fetus in the uterus;
- the place of attachment of the placenta;
- physical parameters of the fetus (circumference of the head, chest and abdomen, length of the limbs);
- the amount of amniotic fluid.
If you still don't know whether you are expecting a boy or a girl, this secret may well be revealed if the baby is in a good position.
Blood and urine tests (general, for protein and sugar) have long become a routine for you.
Attention. Laboratory control is a very important part of the medical supervision of pregnant women. Do not give up on testing!
Photos tummies
Recommendations
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- Sometimes, when you are feeling well, it may seem that a strict diet is not really necessary. This is a misconception. Now your body is in a rather fragile balance that is easily disturbed. So you will need a diet for a very long time: until the very birth and for the entire period of breastfeeding.
- Meals should be frequent, small portions. Don't expect severe hunger as it can lead to overeating. Set and observe convenient meal times.
- In the evening, it is advisable to eat dairy products. They will protect you from nighttime heartburn.
- If you have not had a bowel movement in a day, this is constipation. Be sure to include prunes and dried apricots in the diet, drink enough liquid.
- No sudden movements! If you are lying or sitting, get up very slowly, without swinging or jolting. Being in a hurry can lead to dizziness, blurred vision and loss of balance.
- Shortness of breath occurs due to the pressure of the uterus on the diaphragm and due to overstrain of the heart muscle. Your heart now pumps almost one and a half times more blood than it did before pregnancy. Daily physical activity without overwork and increased stress will help your heart and breathing.
- For cramps, rupture the shin and pull the toes of the injured leg towards you.
- Do Kegel exercises, especially if you notice urine flow when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.
- Buy your baby's first photo album or a special notebook to record the first achievements.
- Make several lists: what you need to take to the hospital, what to stock up on for the first time after giving birth, what gifts to ask for the baby from relatives, and so on.
- Gather positive impressions: go to the cinema for a good, light film or watch it at home, visit exhibitions, museums (but not the Cabinet of Curiosities!), Concerts. There will be no time later.
- Sit as straight as possible - this will ease the discomfort when the baby is pushing.
- If you have oligohydramnios, you are expecting two children, the doctor noted a low placenta, then sexual relations are prohibited. During orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is produced in the woman's blood, which can cause uterine contractions. Another hormone with a similar effect is found in the male sperm. If you have an established risk of premature birth, you will also have to give up sex. In other cases, intimate life may remain the same. The main thing is to avoid violent manifestations and choose comfortable positions.
- Some women continue to work even on maternity leave. If necessary, do not allow yourself to overexert yourself.
- Don't forget yoga and swimming. It is not necessary to enroll in any special courses. You can just visit the pool once a week for your own pleasure and health.
Take care of your health and peace of mind. Very soon you will need a lot of physical and mental strength.
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