32 Weeks Pregnant - what to expect
Now you're 32 weeks pregnant, this week is all about preghaustion, writing a birth plan, perineal massage and dadchelor parties
Watch our video to see what your baby looks like this week
The see-through skin days are over now, as ever-increasing fat deposits give things a more opaque– and less wrinkly – look. And, as your baby starts to gain some body-temperature control, it won’t be long till both the body hair (lanugo) and the waxy insulating layer (vernix) are gone, too.
And here's a 3D scan of a 32 week baby...
So what's happening to your body this week?
This is the knackering bit. You’re (literally) weighed down by the demands pregnancy’s now putting on your body, and everything aches or throbs or tingles or just feels weird. And when you finally drag your weary bones to bed, you can’t sleep because you can’t find a comfy position to lie in and you have to get up every 5 minutes to wee.
All a bit rubbish (sorry) – but all quite (exhaustingly) normal. Unless your routine blood tests show your iron levels have dropped right down – in which case your midwife might put you on iron supplements. They might upset your tummy (and will definitely turn your poo black) but they’re worth it for the energy boost you (and your baby) really need right now.
Our MFMer's 32-week bump of the week
Are you keeping track of your bump with weekly pics? Check out other MFMers' belfies in our 32 week bump gallery.
Did you know? Your baby's now the length of... 6 Bourbon biscuits
This week, your baby measures 42.4cm from head to heel - the same as 6 of these delicious biscuits (end to end).
And is around the weight of... a roasting chicken
Your baby now weighs around 4lb (1.8kg)!
4 things you might need to know this week
- Ooooh... how do you write a birth plan?
- Perineal massage - what to do
- What are the signs of DVT? We've got it covered
- Are dadchelor parties the new baby showers?
MFMers' tip of the week from our forum
“I sometimes walk round work feeling like there's a bowling ball sitting right in my groin! My midwife says that's because my girl now has her head down and engaged in my pelvis” - StephieLou
Want to share your pregnancy with others going through the same as you? There's a birth club for your due date - take a look...
Do you need baby bottles?
If you're planning to feed your baby with the help of your blossoming boobs, why plump for bottles? Well, you may find you want to start expressing some of your milk, so your partner can enjoy those red-eye 2am feeds too (hey, it's all about sharing).
Bottles come in a variety of shapes with different flow teats, so you may want to test a few out before you invest in a full set. It's going to be a milky world for the next few months...
Our preg recipe for week 32 - Smoked fish kedgeree with basmati and wild rice
Why mackerel is great for your growing baby
Oily fish, such as mackerel, contains omega-3 fats that are believed to be particularly important for the development of your baby’s brain and eyes. Great!
But bear in mind that recent worries that some oily fish could contain traces of pollutants (such as PCBs) mean it’s wise to stick to no more than two portions a week, just to be super-safe.
See the full recipe and get cooking...
Baby namer - what do you think of these aquatic names?
Ever thought about a quirky name for your baby? What do you think of these two?
Otter
Otters are adorable. They float around on the sea holding hands so they don't float away for one. They also use pebbles to smash open oysters. Seriously Google it. So why not name your baby after these amazing animals?
Celeb baby-name-check: Zooey Deschanel named her first daughter Elsie Otter.
Ocean
This easy-going name is from the word meaning a very large expanse of sea. So if you love the water, then this could be the perfect modern name for you.
Celeb baby-name-check: Jeff Goldblum named his first son Charlie Ocean. Why? "I love the ocean." Fair enough.
Check out our dedicated Baby Names section for more inspiration.
So that's plenty for this week, want to take a peek at what lies ahead - or look back at last week?
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