In pregnancy week 32, you reach the end of the 8th month of your pregnancy. There are only a few weeks left until your baby is born, and your body is slowly preparing for the upcoming delivery. Already this week, your baby will take its birth position and lie with its head down. Weight gain is also a focus this week.
In our pregnancy calendar, we summarize for you how your baby develops in week 32 and changes its position. You will also find out how size and weight increase. We also inform you about how expectant mothers typically feel in week 32 and which symptoms cause them trouble. You will also learn how the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep makes it easier for your baby to fall asleep after birth.
How your baby develops in the 32nd week of pregnancy
Your baby instinctively knows that birth is getting closer and closer. It has already begun to point its head downwards. In week 32, it will slowly move into its final birth position. Most babies lie with their heads down and maintain this position until birth: however, some babies change their position once more. This is no cause for concern, as it can still change its position shortly before birth.
In addition to the position, your baby's weight is also an important topic in week 32. Your baby will gain significant weight again in this and the coming weeks until it weighs about 3.5 kilograms at birth. The weight gain is mainly muscle and fat tissue. The fat pads serve as a reserve for your baby after birth and are therefore very important.
Your baby is now almost fully developed. In week 32, its senses are sharpening. The photoreceptors of the retina continue to develop this week. This allows the pupils to react to light. At the same time, your baby is learning more every day how to regulate its body temperature so that it can adapt it to the environment after birth.
Size & weight in pregnancy week 32
In the 32nd week of pregnancy, your baby gains significant weight and is thus taking big steps towards its later birth weight. It now weighs between 1,600 and 1,800 grams. It gains around 200 grams per week. The size is 42 to 46 centimeters.
Your baby is thus about as big as a pineapple. You will also notice on the scales that you are gaining more and more weight. Women gain an average of 11 to 16 kilograms during pregnancy. In the second and third trimesters, a weight gain of 400 to 500 grams is recommended.
You can tell from your weight and your growing belly that birth is getting closer and closer. It's another eight weeks until you hold your baby in your arms. If you want to take care of the final preparations now, you should take a look at the innovative automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It gently rocks your baby to sleep and adapts the movements to your baby thanks to a sensor. Falling asleep and staying asleep are much easier as a result.
How you are doing as an expectant mom in week 32
If you are pregnant in week 32, your excitement is probably slowly rising. You are now in the third trimester, at the end of the eighth month. Your baby is almost fully developed and is gaining significant weight. It is not unusual for you to be excited in the last few weeks before birth and for your thoughts to revolve only around your baby.
It is now the size of a pineapple: so you can clearly feel the baby's movements. Many women are very reassured when they feel their baby regularly in their belly. Your baby now has less and less space in your uterus. Therefore, the kicks can almost hurt, which is due to the lack of space.
Many women also complain about a real carousel of thoughts in week 32. Perhaps you are also worried about an impending premature birth and the health of your baby. In the 32rd week of pregnancy, you should not yet feel any real contractions. However, it is possible that you are already having your first practice contractions. If you are worried, you should address this topic at your next appointment with your gynecologist or midwife.
This also applies to the fear you may feel about giving birth. If this is your first pregnancy, you don't know what to expect. This leads to great anxiety for many pregnant women. Talk to your friends or relatives who have already given birth to a baby.
Typical symptoms & complaints in the 32nd week of your pregnancy
Are you wondering which symptoms are typical from week 32 onwards? Many complaints that have accompanied you for a few weeks already persist in the 32nd week of pregnancy. We summarize the most common symptoms for you:
Severe heartburn:
You probably already know heartburn from the first months of your pregnancy. In week 32, the pregnancy hormone progesterone continues to ensure that your muscles relax. As a result, your esophagus is no longer completely closed and gastric juice can escape. Try to eat several small meals a day and sit upright afterwards.
Abdominal pain:
It is not uncommon for you to suffer from abdominal pain during this phase of pregnancy. These can be triggered by your digestion. Your hormones and the pressure of your baby ensure that your digestion slows down. Make sure to drink enough and move around after eating.
Back pain:
Your belly is quite big by now and your baby weighs over 1.5 kilograms in week 32. This weight represents a great strain on your back. Your changed center of gravity can also lead to back pain. With light sports exercises, you can try to strengthen and relax the muscles.
Heavy legs:
Many pregnant women suffer from swollen legs and feet. These are caused by water retention, which can also occur in the arms and hands. Especially in summer, you probably also have to struggle with this problem. It is important that you still drink enough.
Faster pulse:
In the last trimester of your pregnancy, you may notice that your heart beats faster and stronger. Your weight has changed significantly in recent months and your body is no longer just supplying you, but also your baby. It is therefore not unusual if your pulse becomes faster and your blood pressure higher.
It helps many women to allow themselves enough rest during pregnancy. Your body is working hard: therefore, take enough breaks and avoid major exertion. In the coming weeks, your baby and your belly will continue to grow: you need enough strength for the last phase of pregnancy and the birth. Relaxation, peace, and recovery are therefore particularly important.
You can spend the last few weeks before birth taking care of the remaining preparations for the arrival of your baby. So that your baby can sleep well and restfully, it needs a cozy place to sleep. In our automatic baby hammock, your baby lies closely embraced in a hammock. There it is protected from light and rocked to sleep with gentle movements.
This is important for you in week 32
In week 32, birth is getting closer and closer. It can help you in this phase to exchange ideas with other mothers. Talk to your friends or relatives who are already mothers. They can provide you with important experiences about pregnancy and birth. Exchanging ideas with your midwife is also recommended.
You should also start packing your hospital bag. It should contain everything you and your baby will need for the upcoming time in the hospital. There are extensive lists that you can use to see what to look out for when packing your hospital bag. Among other things, it is particularly important that you adapt the clothing to the season and pack different sizes. Even if your baby is measured regularly, it can be a little larger or smaller at birth.
From week 32 onwards, your doctor will also monitor you more closely. You will now visit your doctor every two weeks so that they can check you and your baby. They will also check what your contraction activity is like and whether there are signs of an impending premature birth. The third ultrasound also takes place between the 29th and 32nd week of pregnancy, so you will see your baby on the screen again.
Your doctor will also test you for Hepatitis B in week 32. If you are infected with the virus, you could pass it on to your baby during birth. That's why you're tested for it before birth.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Silent cradle for a restful sleep
Our innovative automatic baby hammock is characterized by its intelligent and silent automatic baby hammock motor. This is equipped with special motion sensors that adapt the intensity of the rocking to your baby's movements. If it wakes up, the hammock can rock it back to sleep. You can also control the hammock via app and receive notifications through it.
Our automatic baby hammock has already inspired more than 170,000 families and is recommended by osteopaths and midwives. It gently rocks your baby to sleep and thus ensures more relaxation: for your baby and for you as parents. Take a look at our models and configure your automatic baby hammock for your baby.
