Week 32 of Your Pregnancy
Baby’s Development
Hang on for dear life; your baby’s movements will peak at this week. You may experience any number of sensations as your little one rolls, flips, punches and kicks you from deep inside. Don’t worry; they’ll soon begin to slow down!
At this point, your fetus is sleeping 90-95% of the day. She has definite sleep patterns, including REM sleep and opens and closes her eyes depending on if she’s awake. This pattern will not change as she graduates from fetus to baby. Depending on when you’re baby is active in the womb, this may be good news or bad!
Her weight gain continues to be impressive. The gathering plumpness is slowly erasing the wrinkles in her face and body. By the time you meet her, she should be chubby and pretty.
Your Body and Emotions
There is fifty percent more blood in your body this week than before you conceived! No wonder you’re feeling a little tired! You body has to work overtime to circulate all that blood through your body, which is currently taking up considerably more space than it ever has before! In fact, you can expect to gain one pound a week for the next little while as your baby continues to gain weight inside.
This extra pregnancy weight may start to increase your back, buttock and leg pain. Now is an excellent time to start indulging in weekly massages. Many spas offer special pregnancy massage packages for a special treat and you may be surprised to find that massage therapy is covered in your or your partner’s insurance package. Take advantage of that now! Getting a weekly massage to counteract the pains that are starting to snowball can help you get some much needed ‘you’ time and improve your sleep.
Your sizable belly is not only compressing your stomach at this point, but your lungs as well. You may find you get short of breath quicker and have a limited tolerance for high altitudes. Women who have enjoyed mild hiking previously, may find themselves shocked at how much their endurance has lessened! Try to avoid higher altitudes as much as possible until your baby has arrived.
Having trouble fitting into your shoes? At this point, many women notice that their feet have grown almost an entire size. This is due to the fact that all your joints are expanding, even those in your feet. Luckily, your hips and ribs will probably ease back into their former position about a year after your little one is born. The bad news is that you feet will never be the same. It’s sad news for those who had been previously proud of their petite size six heels!
Dad’s Tips
You’ve got the infant car seat installed, you’re learning what you can about newborns but you still may feel helpless as you watch your partner struggle with her anxiety about childbirth and the aches and pains of her third trimester. There’s no better way to end that helpless feeling than by putting yourself to work! Why not take the time to set up the nursery? Deciding on the paint color, assembling the crib and other toys is an excellent way to get your minds off the stress to come. Be prepared to shed a few tears as you step back and look at your handiwork. Your little one is on the way and within days he or she will be as real as the teddy bears you’ve strategically placed on the changing table. |
