Pregnancy - Week 32

You are 31 weeks pregnant or in your 32nd week of pregnancy (counting from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period).

Keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary.  For variations and details, please talk to your doctor.

Week 31

Week 33

What’s happening to the baby?

• Baby's growth means that there not much room for her to move around. So while she may not be tumbling around, you will still be able to feel her movements.
• The joint in the skull is still pliable and there is still a gap in the skull joint. This makes it easier for the baby to exit easily via the birth canal during childbirth. That is why most babies born vaginally (as opposed to Caesarian birth) have the cone-shaped heads.
• The brain is growing rapidly. The brain's nerve cells and synapses (pathways between nerve cells) are being formed at a highly accelerated pace. 
• Your baby is about 40 centimetres long (Crown to heel length) and weighs about 1.5 kilograms.

What’s happening to mom?

• You might start noticing less frequent and less forceful movements as the baby takes up a lot of room in the uterus and cannot do somersaults etc.
• Your uterus is now much higher than your belly button (approximately 5 inches) and you are still feeling uncomfortable with the growing baby pressing on your body organs.  Feeling breathless and suffering from constipation, heartburn, frequent trips to the bathroom etc.? There is hope. Typically, in a couple of weeks or so (around week 34, or 35), the baby will “drop” or drop into head first position (ready for childbirth) in your pelvis. As the baby gets lower, it will help relieve many woes like breathlessness, heartburn etc.
• At your regular doctor visits, you will be screened for preclampsia or pregnancy induced high blood pressure. Some swelling is normal, but if you see unusually high swelling, call your doctor, it could be signs of preclampsia.
• By now, you are probably visiting your doctor about once every two weeks, in a routine pregnancy. If you have a high-risk pregnancy (have gestational diabetes, preclampsia etc.) it might be more often.

Create your own customized week-by-week pregnancy calendar

Checklist for mom

• Start learning about newborn baby care so that you can be ready when the baby comes. See Parentree's collection of baby articles.
• Discuss your maternity leave with your spouse and boss and plan your maternity leave (if you are working).  In India, 3 months of paid maternity leave is mandatory by law and any more is left to the discretion of the employers. Some companies even have a provision for paternity leave. So have your spouse check about that as well, to ensure good care coverage for your baby.
• If you have not already, start looking for a paediatrician for your baby. Get a shortlist by talking to your friends, even your gynaecologist and Parentree parents in your area. Then start interviewing paediatricians. Check out our article on selecting a paediatrician.
• Schedule or go for your childbirth classes if you have not already. You need to have completed taking these classes by your 37th week. Make sure you take your spouse or labour support person (your mother, friend or other person who is close to you).  Childbirth classes can provide useful information on
  • Labour process, childbirth and pain relief options
  • Teach you breathing exercises and other tips to make labour and childbirth easier
  • Breastfeeding basics
  • Even basic newborn care
• Read Parentree articles on preparing for childbirth, breastfeeding tips, common questions about breastfeeding.
• Especially learn about signs of labour in “How to know that you are in labour?”

Ideas for dad   

• Along with your wife, start learning about newborn baby care (In Parentree's collection of baby articles) so that you can be ready when the baby comes.
• Find out about paternity leave from your company. Central government employees get one month of paid paternity leave. But for private companies, paternity leave is left to the discretion of the company. Discuss maternity and paternity leave with your spouse and ensure good care coverage for your baby.

Other tidbits

• You might be feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Do your bit to educate yourself on pregnancy, childbirth and babycare; planning and organising baby shopping and the house.  Prioritise well.  And after a certain point, do not fret and go with the flow.

Useful Parentree articles for this stage of pregnancy

• How to know that you are in labour?
• Breastfeeding tips for new moms 
• Breastfeeding - Answers to common questions
• Tips to prepare for childbirth
• How do you know that you are in labour?
• Shopping List for New Baby
• Preclampsia or Pregnancy induced high blood pressure

Week 31

Week 33