{"id":1369,"date":"2022-01-16T22:38:54","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T04:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=1369"},"modified":"2023-04-21T14:06:08","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T20:06:08","slug":"32-weeks-pregnant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/healthy-pregnancy\/week-by-week\/32-weeks-pregnant\/","title":{"rendered":"32 Weeks Pregnant"},"content":{"rendered":"

These last several weeks can become tiresome, but remember that every week brings you one step closer to the arrival of your little one. Here’s what to expect when you’re 32 weeks pregnant.<\/p>\n

What changes are occurring with your body during the 32nd week of pregnancy?<\/h3>\n

The top of your uterus can now be measured about 5 inches above your belly button<\/strong>. Because the top of your uterus is so high, you may begin to have trouble breathing or feel short of breath. This is due to the pressure that your growing uterus is placing on your diaphragm<\/a>. This same pressure may also cause an increased amount of heartburn<\/a>.
\nMost likely you are gaining about a pound per week. Your blood volume has increased by 40% to 50%<\/strong> during the past 32 weeks, allowing your body to accommodate both you and your baby. This increased volume is also important because it makes up for the amount of blood you will lose during delivery.<\/p>\n

How big is your baby at 32 weeks pregnant?<\/h3>\n

Your baby is a little over 16 inches (40.6 cm) long<\/strong> and weighs between 4 and 4 \u00bd pounds (1.8 to 2 kg)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What is happening with your baby?<\/h3>\n

Your baby is continuing to grow. The toenails and fingernails have formed, and the lungs are continuing to mature, although they will not be fully developed for several more weeks.
\nYour baby\u2019s skeleton has completely formed, but the bones are still very soft and pliable.<\/p>\n

What should you plan for this week?<\/h3>\n

If you have not had any complications during your pregnancy, you most likely have been seeing your health care provider on a monthly basis. Around this time though, your healthcare provider will ask you to begin making visits every two weeks.
\nThis will continue over the next four weeks, and then you will begin having appointments once a week.
\nHave you made a decision on whether or not you plan to save your baby’s cord blood? Cord blood<\/a> is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth.
\nThis is usually discarded. However, cord blood stem cells can treat the same diseases like bone marrow, but with a reduced chance of rejection. It is important to have a medical history and risk assessment to evaluate whether to store your baby’s cord blood.
\nStoring your baby’s cord blood is a type of insurance to protect your growing child from future conditions that might be diagnosed later and treated with the stem cells from that stored cord blood.  The most economical place to store your blood is through Caring Cryo Partnership.<\/p>\n

Tips for making your pregnancy better<\/h3>\n

Last week we began talking about Braxton Hicks<\/a> contractions.
\nIf you are experiencing these early contractions, there are several ways you can try to alleviate them:<\/strong><\/p>\n