Each stage of pregnancy is unique. Every week, hundreds of different changes happen to mom and baby. Many interesting processes occur at 32 weeks of gestation.
How many months is it?
It is considered that this period is equal to the eighth obstetric month. Also, this period corresponds to the age of the fetus, equal to 30 weeks from conception. The difference in timing is due to the different counting technique used by gynecologists.
It should be noted that the term "obstetric week" is used more often. This allows doctors of different specialties to "speak" the same language using common terminology.
Features in the mother
At 31-32 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother begins to gradually prepare for childbirth. Changes characteristic of this period begin to occur in her body. Gradually, her hormonal background is changing, there is a temporary restructuring in the work of internal organs. These changes are necessary for the baby to be born on time.
Physiology
During this period, in the female body, special hormones are formed in the blood, which are required for natural childbirth. Relaxin is one of these substances. Under its influence, specific changes occur in the ligamentous and muscular apparatus of the pelvis. So, the muscles become much more elastic. This is necessary so that during the passage of the baby through the birth canal, dangerous injuries and damage to soft tissues do not occur.
Another biologically active substance that is gradually beginning to be synthesized in the female body is prolactin. An increase in its concentration contributes to the fact that the breasts begin to ache and increase. This kind of preparation of the female body is necessary in order for the next stage after the birth of the baby to begin - lactation.
At 32 weeks gestation, the circumference of the mother's tummy is already quite large. The navel of many women is pulled inward. The larger the belly, the brighter this symptom appears.
If the baby is quite large, then the grown maternal tummy puts strong pressure on the diaphragm. This leads to the fact that the woman's breathing changes. She may also feel some soreness and tenderness in the lower chest.
Some women may experience increased body hair growth. In some cases, hair begins to grow in a "masculine" pattern. Altered hormonal levels also lead to such changes. Most often, this clinical sign develops in women who are expecting the birth of sons.
After the birth of a baby, the level of hormones gradually normalizes, and this symptom disappears. If this does not happen, then in this case the woman should consult with her gynecologist, and in some cases with an endocrinologist.
During each period of pregnancy, doctors must evaluate the weight gain in the expectant mother. This simple method of clinical research allows the doctor to assess the condition of the woman and indirect signs of the growth of the child. It is necessary to monitor the weight gain. This should be done taking into account the recommendations of doctors.
Average, by this period of pregnancy, the total weight gain in a woman is eleven kilograms. With multiple pregnancies, this indicator may be different.
Total weight gain is a clinical guideline. The doctor cannot rely only on it to assess the intrauterine development of the fetus. For this, he uses other research methods.
Feel
At this stage of pregnancy, the expectant mother already quite strongly feels her baby inside. Its general condition also changes. Some women also note that during pregnancy, their mood and attitude towards life changed.
Such changes are due to nature. The female body is, as it were, attuned to a new quality. Of course, a changing condition can manifest itself in the appearance of many different symptoms.
Changes in mood and behavior
The changing hormonal background leads to the fact that mood swings begin to occur in the expectant mother. In some way they resemble similar changes that manifested themselves in the earliest weeks of pregnancy. Also closer to childbirth, a woman begins to increase nervousness and anxiety.
Hormonal changes contribute to the fact that many expectant mothers at this stage of pregnancy constantly want to sleep. This may increase daytime sleepiness.
At night, some women may have difficulty falling asleep. The more suspicious and anxious a woman is due to the warehouse of her character and psychological characteristics of her personality, the more clearly this symptom manifests itself in her. Many expectant mothers at this stage of pregnancy complain to their doctors that they have insomnia.
The ability to withstand the effects of severe psycho-emotional stress is also somewhat reduced. Such changes occur due to the fact that the female body is gradually preparing for the upcoming birth.
At this stage of pregnancy, it becomes quite difficult for a woman to cope with a large amount of information. Her memory decreases somewhat, concentration of attention decreases.
Even after the usual mental stress, a woman may experience a headache. In order not to provoke the development of these adverse symptoms, the expectant mother should get more rest.
Feeling in the stomach
By this time of pregnancy, the expectant mother quite often feels frequent "jolts" along the lower edge of the costal arch. This is due to the fact that the child is already quite large in size and moves quite actively. As a rule, by this time of its intrauterine development, the baby has already lowered its head down towards the birth canal.
Reviews of women who have already become mothers indicate that many of them quite often felt such "blows" of the baby in their belly. To somewhat reduce soreness and discomfort, they leaned back a little on the back of the sofa.
This position provides the baby with more space. At the same time, Mom feels a little better. Breathing lightly and deeply will also help the baby gradually calm down.
Pregnant women at this stage of pregnancy may experience unpleasant pulling pains in the lower abdomen. Such symptoms arise due to the fact that at this time of bearing the baby, the pelvic floor expands somewhat. Such a reaction of the body is quite physiological before the upcoming birth.
At 32 weeks gestation, the first training contractions often begin to appear. They are usually detected during CTG. Also, the woman herself can feel them.
They are felt, as a rule, as short and moderate in intensity of contraction in the lower abdomen. Such training contractions occur as a result of contraction of the uterine walls. You should not be afraid of them. Also, they are not a consequence of the approaching birth.
If you experience such sensations, it is very important to see a doctor right away. The doctor will conduct a gynecological examination to assess the condition of the cervix. If its disclosure is insignificant, then you should not worry about the imminent onset of childbirth. In such a situation, the doctor will make recommendations for the expectant mother on how to wait for the calculated period of natural birth.
Other changes in the body
Quite often, at this stage of pregnancy, a woman feels that her lower back hurts. The larger the baby and the narrower the pelvis of the expectant mother, the more pronounced such symptoms can be. In order to reduce them somewhat, doctors recommend that expectant mothers have more rest.
At this stage of pregnancy, women often experience swelling of the legs. Both physiological and pathological reasons can lead to the development of this unfavorable symptom.
The growing uterus exerts strong pressure on nearby organs, which include the urinary tract. This feature contributes to the fact that the outflow of urine through the ureters is reduced.
These changes begin to cause the appearance of puffiness in the expectant mother. It is important to note that swelling can appear on different parts of the body, most often on the legs.
However, swelling can also appear on the face - in the area under the lower eyelids. If the swelling of a woman's face is strongly pronounced, then this can lead to a change in the oval of her face. It becomes more rounded, while natural folds are somewhat smoothed out.
Errors in nutrition often contribute to the appearance of various unpleasant sensations in the expectant mother. Some women start to feel heartburn. If the correction of the diet does not bring marked relief, the expectant mother should definitely consult with her attending physician.
To improve the general condition, you should exclude fatty and fried foods from your daily diet. Such food contributes to disorders in the functioning of the liver and gallbladder. It is extremely important to monitor the diet of women suffering from chronic cholecystitis and other diseases of the internal organs.
Some women may feel that their body itches a lot. Various hormonal changes can also contribute to the development of this symptom.
The severity of this sensation can be different. When this symptom appears, it is very important to always consult a doctor. In some cases, chronic diseases of internal organs also lead to its appearance.
Disrupted work of the gastrointestinal tract can contribute to the development of other unpleasant symptoms. Often pregnant women at this stage of pregnancy complain to their doctors that they have various stool disorders - both diarrhea and constipation. For stool normalization, selection of the correct diet is required.
It is very important that the expectant mother uses all the necessary substances, as well as vitamins and minerals. To do this, she should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, dairy products. Such nutrition will help improve the indicators of intestinal microflora, which will positively affect the stool.
The 32nd week of pregnancy is the time when the female body is actively preparing for the baby to be born. After the birth of a child, another, no less crucial period begins - lactation. To prepare for this period, hormones begin to be synthesized in the body of the expectant mother, leading to the appearance of colostrum - a special fluid secreted from the mammary glands necessary for feeding the baby in the first time after his birth.
The chemical properties of colostrum change over time. At first it is quite thick, then it becomes more liquid. This feature was invented by nature so that the baby receives all the necessary substances for his full growth and development.
What can bother a pregnant woman at this time?
Even with the physiological course of pregnancy, a woman may experience various changes. They lead to the fact that the expectant mother has certain clinical conditions. At each stage of pregnancy, these manifestations can be different.
Decreased immunity
Various specific changes can also occur during pregnancy. So, during the carrying of the baby, the mother's immunity decreases slightly. This is necessary so that the woman's immune system does not reject the child after his conception, and then in the future during his development. Such a decrease in immunity is also necessary in order for the mother's body to perceive the baby not as a foreign genetic object, but as its own.
However, in this case, there are also disadvantages. A slightly reduced function of the immune system leads to the fact that a woman's resistance at 30-32 weeks of pregnancy to various viral and bacterial infections decreases.
An expectant mother can get an infection quite easily. Also, the risk of colds is not small. SARS and respiratory diseases are quite often registered in expectant mothers at this time.
It is very important that the expectant mother remembers this feature and carefully protects herself from a possible cold.
Problems in the oral cavity
Diseases of the teeth during pregnancy are quite common. Hormonal changes lead to the development of specific changes in the oral cavity. For example, the changing concentration of estrogen in the bloodstream of the expectant mother contributes to the appearance of increased bleeding of the gums. In some women, this condition can lead to toothache and periodontal disease.
Adverse symptoms can be reduced by using special mouth rinses and gentle toothpastes. It is better that these funds are made on the basis of medicinal herbs. You can also rinse your mouth with homemade sage or chamomile tea.
The dentist compiles a set of extended recommendations. If the expectant mother has a toothache, she should immediately consult a doctor. You shouldn't worry and worry. Currently, in the arsenal of specialists there are many methods of dental treatment that are safe and can be used for pregnant women.
Reproductive disorders
During a gynecological examination, doctors must evaluate the length of the cervix. The condition of this organ is very important.
In gynecological practice, there are many different pathologies associated with the shortening of the cervix. These conditions are quite dangerous. A short cervix increases the risk of premature birth.
Also, this pathology can contribute to the development of isthmic-cervical insufficiency. If it is not treated in time, then this pathological condition can be a threat to the birth of a baby before the prescribed time.
To correct this pathology, doctors use various methods. The therapy regimen is selected individually. To correct the violations that have arisen, specialists can choose a hormone therapy method for the expectant mother. In this case, the drug "Utrozhestan" is most often used.
With isthmic-cervical insufficiency caused by a shortened cervix, special obstetric devices - pessaries - can also be used. They are inserted into the vagina. This procedure is carried out only by a doctor.
The use of pessaries significantly reduces the risk of having babies much earlier. The use of such obstetric devices is limited to certain medical indications and contraindications. After installing the pessary, a doctor must monitor the woman's condition.
During pregnancy, doctors evaluate a lot of clinical parameters, one of which is uterine tone. In an overly active form, it can lead to the development of dangerous conditions for the fetus. In this case, the doctor will definitely draw up a set of recommendations for the expectant mother. With a high threat to the life of the baby, the doctor will advise the woman to limit sex.
It is important to note that such recommendations are made individually.For this, the doctor must necessarily assess the condition of the baby and the well-being of the expectant mother.
In women at this stage of pregnancy, the sensations of sexual activity change physiologically. For example, subjective changes in orgasm occur. The possibility of having sex during this period of pregnancy should be discussed by the expectant mother with her attending physician.
A decrease in local immunity and a changing hormonal background often contribute to the fact that a woman has thrush. Also, errors in nutrition with the abuse of sweets and chocolate can lead to the development of this disease.
Thrush is usually accompanied by the development of many adverse symptoms, one of which is the appearance of itching in an intimate place. The degree of its severity can be different. Some women experience quite a bit of discomfort. Also, with this pathology, specific discharge appears in the vagina, resembling "curdled flakes". It is very important to consult a doctor when adverse symptoms appear.
To eliminate them, special antifungal drugs may be required. Also, the doctor will recommend intimate hygiene products to the expectant mother. Many of them can be further used not only for the purpose of treatment, but also for the prevention of the development of adverse symptoms.
At this stage of pregnancy, a woman may have a mucous plug from the genital tract. In such a situation, it is very important to see a doctor immediately. In this case, the risk of premature birth is quite high.
When the traffic jams are released, the expectant mother, first of all, should not panic. With the development of this situation, the doctor must necessarily assess how close the approach of labor is. It often happens that a pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital for further observation. Obstetricians note that there are a lot of children born at 32 weeks of gestation.
Features in a child
In the development of babies at this time, there are common clinical signs. However, there may be differences. They do not always indicate only the development of any pathology or developmental deviations. It also happens that such features are physiological. Their appearance is influenced by many factors, for example, the peculiarities of the constitution and body structure of the parents.
Only a doctor who observes the expectant mother during her pregnancy can determine the boundaries of the norm and pathology. Modern research methods and various analyzes come to the aid of the doctor.
Physiology
To assess the development of the intrauterine development of babies at this time, doctors use various clinical indicators. The basic ones are the anatomical parameters of the fetus:
- At this stage of pregnancy baby weight already reaches 1800 grams. The child's height is approximately 42 cm. In case of multiple pregnancies, these parameters may vary. As a rule, in this case, one baby is slightly larger than the other. It is extremely rare in obstetric practice that there are cases when both twins or twins are of the same size.
- Head circumference the baby is about 28.5-32.5 cm. During the study, you can also measure the parameters of other anatomical structures. So, the circumference of the baby's tummy at this stage is approximately 25.8-31.4 cm.
- During the study, the ultrasound specialist can also determine the size of some bones. So, the length of the baby's thigh at this time is 5.5-6.5 cm, the shoulder - 5.3-6.3 mm, the shin bones reach the size of 5.3-6 cm.
Development
The baby at this stage of his intrauterine development is already quite well developed. So, the baby already has hair and eyelashes. Over time, the hairline on his body will change. Gradually vellus hairs fall off.
At this stage of its intrauterine development, the baby is already quite active. If there is a sufficient amount of fluid in the mother's womb, the child is comfortable making his active movements. They can be distinguished especially well during ultrasound examination.
The child's body configuration begins to change. So, fatty tissue gradually accumulates - in this way the child's body prepares for the upcoming birth and the transition to a new environment for it.
Adipose tissue in this case performs an active thermoregulatory function. It helps to protect the baby from hypothermia after birth. Babies born before the due date often experience further problems with thermoregulation.
The position of the baby in the womb is also very important. Many children by this period are already taking the correct position. However, in some cases, it can still change.
If the baby is too active, the risk of developing a breech presentation closer to delivery increases significantly. The importance of the position of the baby in the womb cannot be overstated. The location of the baby in the genital organ is assessed when choosing the tactics of delivery in each case.
The position of the baby in the uterus with its head pointing downward is the most physiologically advantageous. In this case, the natural birth of a baby is usually much easier. The baby's head is quite heavy and rounded. This allows the baby to move well along the birth canal during its birth.
In addition to the basic parameters of the baby's body, the doctor must take into account the characteristics of other organs. One of these specific formations of pregnancy is the placenta. There are quite a few blood vessels inside this formation. Such an abundant blood supply is necessary for the full development of the baby. Through them, he receives all the necessary components in order to grow and develop.
During the ultrasound and Doppler used at this time, the doctor can determine how well blood is flowing through the main blood vessels of the placenta. Violations of the blood supply to the baby's body can lead to various disorders in its development.
During its intrauterine growth, the baby is in the aquatic environment. It is formed by the amniotic fluid. In order for a child to fully develop and grow, a sufficient amount of it is required.
To determine this important clinical indicator, doctors use a special criterion. It is measured during an ultrasound examination. This indicator is called the amniotic fluid index (AFI).
If it is too low, this condition can be extremely dangerous and lead to the development of various pathologies for the life of the fetus. If, during the ultrasound examination, the specialist revealed a decrease in this index, then he must definitely indicate this in his conclusion. In this case obligatory consultation of an obstetrician-gynecologist is required to select further tactics of pregnancy management.
Possible pathologies in a baby
This period of pregnancy is very important. At this time, the child may develop dangerous pathologies. In some cases, they can become an indication for urgent delivery. The urgency of this measure is largely due to the risk of a baby's life or threatening conditions for a woman.
Being in the mother's tummy, the baby receives all the necessary substances through the umbilical cord. It includes blood vessels. The length of the umbilical cord may vary. This is influenced by a variety of factors.
If the umbilical cord is too short, it can lead to the development of numerous pathologies. This condition will not allow the child to fully move along the birth canal during his birth. In this situation, as a rule, doctors are forced to resort to a surgical method of obstetrics - cesarean section.
An umbilical cord that is too long can also lead to the development of specific changes. One of these conditions is a single entanglement of the umbilical cord around the baby's neck. In some cases, there may even be double and multiple entanglements. This is largely due to the physiological characteristics of the fetus, as well as the immediate length of the umbilical cord.
Often, when this condition is detected during an ultrasound examination, a woman has a real panic attack. Don't panic! It is important to remember that not in all cases this condition leads to "strangulation" of the baby, which is mainly feared by women.
To assess the severity of the violations that have arisen, the doctor must also assess the condition of the baby inside the mother's womb. It is very important that the child does not have severe hypoxia (oxygen starvation of tissues and internal organs).
It also happens that the fruit can "unwind" on its own. For this, it is necessary that the amount of amniotic fluid is sufficient. It is also important to consider the original size of the baby. This is much more difficult for a large child.
If an ultrasound specialist has identified this condition in the expectant mother, then she should immediately consult with her obstetrician-gynecologist. The doctor needs to conduct additional research aimed at determining the condition of the baby.
Also, the doctor will definitely draw up a set of recommendations for the expectant mother that she should follow until the very birth. In some cases, if the situation requires it, a woman will be hospitalized in a hospital.
Studies at this stage of pregnancy
In order to determine how well the baby is developing in the mother's tummy, doctors use various research methods.
The most common method for diagnosing various diseases that can be detected at this stage of pregnancy are ultrasound methods. Carrying out them helps doctors get the necessary information about how well the baby feels in the womb.
The undoubted advantage of such studies is that they are not invasive. During the ultrasound, you can see how the baby moves. Volumetric techniques even allow you to determine the expression on the baby's face. These research methods include 3D and 4D ultrasound. During the test, the child frowns or smiles if he does not turn away from the ultrasound probe.
The Doppler method is used to determine the blood flow velocity and other blood supply parameters. With the help of such a simple study, the specialist can obtain a lot of necessary information about how well the blood vessels that feed the fetus are functioning.
Many research methods that are used in daily medical practice at this stage of pregnancy should not be performed. Such studies include various X-ray techniques.
An x-ray or CT scan should be done after the baby is born, since the risk of radiation exposure to the body during the study is too high. Only in exceptional cases, for special medical reasons, doctors can prescribe such an X-ray examination. In this situation, the possible harm of this diagnostic method to the developing fetus is necessarily taken into account.
Recommendations
32 weeks pregnant is a very important period. At this time, the intrauterine development of the baby is already at the final stage. In order for the upcoming birth to go as smoothly as possible, the expectant mother should carefully monitor her well-being.
At this time, a woman must already decide on the choice of a medical institution where the birth will take place in the future. Reviews of many women indicate that at this stage of pregnancy, they were already actively preparing for hospitalization in the hospital.
You can already start collecting a bag of things that you may need in a medical facility. Many women say that if they packed their things in advance, then in the future they practically did not experience panic if, for some reason, childbirth began earlier. The expectant mother should think about what things she will need in the hospital. It is very important that the clothes are comfortable and comfortable. Choosing narrow and tight things is not worth it. In the early days after childbirth, comfort is very important.
You should also not forget clothes and personal hygiene products for your baby. In many maternity hospitals, the list of necessary things for mom and baby is different. It is better to clarify in advance what is required. You should also not forget about comfortable, comfortable shoes.
Nutrition during late pregnancy is very important. Many women can "seize" the stress of the upcoming birth. Other expectant mothers, on the other hand, may completely lose their appetite. Any extremes can be dangerous. It is very important that the diet remains balanced. The expectant mother should consume a sufficient amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates. A wide variety of products must be present on her menu. The reception of multivitamin complexes is discussed with the attending physician.
If a pregnant woman has a strong tendency to develop edema, she should very carefully monitor the amount of salt consumed. A large amount of table salt inevitably leads to the fact that edema appears on the legs or under the eyes.
A lot of sodium chloride is already contained in ready-made meat products and semi-finished products. There is also a lot of salt in salted and canned fish. It is better to exclude these products from their diet for expectant mothers and eat poultry, fish or meat cooked at home. In this case, the amount of salt can be adjusted independently.
Compliance with the drinking regime during pregnancy also plays a very important role. To replenish fluid, plain water is great. You can also use fruit and berry fruit drinks as drinks. They are best prepared at home. You should not sweeten these drinks too much.
During this period of pregnancy, the psychological and emotional attitude is very important. An even and calm mood of a woman, as well as obligatory positive emotions, will contribute to the fact that the expectant mother will be less nervous and worried before the upcoming birth. Breathing and relaxation practices can also improve your overall well-being.
Regular walks in the fresh air have a positive effect on both the mother's body and the baby. During these walks, a lot of oxygen gets into the bloodstream. This is an excellent prevention of the development of fetal hypoxia. Also, regular walks in the park or square will help to normalize the nervous system of the expectant mother.
About what happens to the fetus and the expectant mother at 32 weeks of gestation, see the next video.
