Baby development – ​​32 weeks gestation

In the 32nd week of pregnancy, the baby’s development is marked by the presence of all formed organs and hardened bones. Hearing is already developed and the baby can perceive the difference between sounds. The nails have grown long enough to reach the tips of the fingers and the hair already has a defined color.

It is possible that at this stage of pregnancy, the baby is already turned upside down, in the birth position. However, some babies may take until the 37th week to turn.

During this week, the woman may continue to have Braxton-Hicks contractions or back pain, and hemorrhoids, constipation, heartburn or a burning sensation in the stomach may appear.

Baby development

The main milestones in the baby’s development in the 32nd week of pregnancy are:

• All organs are formed and the bones continue to get harder, except those in the skull;
• The baby can distinguish between the sounds he hears;
• The nails have grown long enough to reach the tips of the fingers;
• The baby already has a defined hair color;
• The heart beats approximately 150 times per minute;
• The eyes are open and move toward the light when the baby is awake.

Furthermore, the amniotic fluid swallowed by the baby passes through the stomach and intestines, and the residues of this digestion are little by little stored in the intestine forming meconium, which will be the baby’s first feces.

During this week, it is possible that the baby will already be in the birth position, turned upside down, however, some babies may take up to the 37th week to turn, which must be evaluated by the obstetrician until the end of the pregnancy.

Baby size and weight

The size of the baby at 32 weeks of gestation is about 40.6 centimeters measured from head to toe and about 29.3 centimeters from head to bottom, being equivalent to the size of a yellow pumpkin.

The baby’s weight this week is around 1.8 to 2.0 kg.

Changes in a woman’s body

In the 32nd week of pregnancy, a woman may have hemorrhoids, which can appear due to the dilation of blood vessels in the anal region, compression of these vessels by the weight of the uterus and also due to hormonal changes during pregnancy that can slow down the intestines, causing entrapment. constipation, which leads to greater effort to defecate and dilation of blood vessels.

Additionally, the woman may feel short of breath, which occurs due to the enlargement of the uterus, which can cause compression in the lungs that are unable to expand as they did before pregnancy, making breathing difficult.

This symptom is considered normal at the end of pregnancy and does not affect the baby’s oxygenation because throughout pregnancy the woman’s body undergoes adaptations to supply oxygen to the baby.

In this week of pregnancy, symptoms of Braxton-Hicks contractions, heartburn or a burning sensation in the stomach, back pain or swelling of the legs and feet, especially at the end of the day, may continue.

Read too: 17 discomforts during pregnancy (and when to see a doctor)

tuasaude.com/desconfortos-na-gravidez

Care during the 32nd week

In the 32nd week of pregnancy, some precautions are important to help alleviate discomfort that may arise, such as:

• Hemorrhoid: Taking a sitz bath with warm water, using unscented wipes or washing the anal area after defecating can help alleviate the discomfort of hemorrhoids. Furthermore, not sitting or standing for a long time can help reduce the pressure that the belly puts on the rectum and prevent the development of hemorrhoids. See more tips on how to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
• Constipation: eating more fiber in the form of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep the body hydrated and doing regular exercise recommended by your doctor to help improve bowel movements can help relieve this discomfort;
• Braxton-Hicks contractions: moving your body or doing physical exercises recommended by your doctor helps alleviate the discomfort of contractions. However, if the contraction is strong, very frequent or accompanied by other symptoms such as back pain, vaginal bleeding or liquid discharge, medical help should be sought immediately, as the woman may have gone into labor. Know how to identify the signs of labor;
• Heartburn or burning sensation in the stomach: Avoiding fried foods, spicy or very spicy foods and eating large meals, and eating in small quantities at intervals of less than 2 to 3 hours can help alleviate this discomfort. See other tips on how to relieve heartburn during pregnancy;
• Back pain: Do not stand for a long time, when sitting you should avoid crossing your legs and using a pregnancy belt to support your belly and back, or applying hot compresses to your back can help improve back pain. Furthermore, pregnant women should avoid exerting themselves excessively, although absolute rest is also not recommended;
• Swelling in the legs or feet: Not standing for a long time, and placing your feet higher than your body, supporting your feet when you need to sit, help improve blood circulation in your legs. In addition, practicing regular physical exercise, such as walking or swimming, as advised by your doctor, can help reduce this discomfort. However, if the swelling does not improve, starts suddenly, or has swelling in the hands and face, you should seek medical help immediately, as it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Find out more about pre-eclampsia and how it is treated;
• Shortness of breathe: It occurs due to the enlargement of the uterus, which can cause compression in the lungs that cannot expand as they did before pregnancy, making breathing difficult. However, if you experience intense shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, rapid or wheezing, chest pain, bluish lips or fingers, or numbness in your hands or feet, you should seek medical help as soon as possible or the emergency room at the earliest. next.

Throughout pregnancy, it is important to have prenatal consultations, follow medical recommendations and take folic acid or supplements recommended by your obstetrician. Find out how prenatal care is done.

Furthermore, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables, ensures the supply of essential nutrients for the baby’s development and helps control weight gain during pregnancy.

It is also important to carry out physical activities approved by your doctor as they allow you to better control your weight, improve sleep quality and strengthen your muscles.

Main exams

The 32nd week of pregnancy is the last week to perform a morphological ultrasound to identify the baby’s developmental stage and evaluate possible abnormalities in the fetus such as diseases or malformations. Find out how morphological ultrasound is performed.

In addition, the obstetrician must request tests from the last trimester of pregnancy, such as a complete blood count with platelet analysis, to assess blood clotting, and a urine test.

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