32 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy Week By Week
Hello moms-to-be. We are excited to see you have made it to week thirty-two. We know that some of you gals are planning to have a natural childbirth, one free of pain medications and medical interventions. This week’s newsletter is just for you gals Not everyone is interested in having a “natural birth” but we think that everyone can use a few pointers on how to deal with pain during childbirth. Sometimes when you go into labor, your birth plan gets thrown out the window and it always helps to be prepared. So with that in mind, we will head into the newsletter. We are including all the best tips for moms and dads on how to have a natural childbirth. And for you ladies that just aren’t all that interested in going through pain, don’t worry. Next week’s newsletter is just for you.
Baby’s Development
The baby will keep maturing at this point in the pregnancy. If the baby was born at this week of pregnancy, they would have a 50-50 chance of surviving. The baby is now changing positions and preparing for birth. The baby will be about 16 inches in length and should weigh about 4-1/2 pounds. Don’t panic, the baby continues to gain weight as the pregnancy progresses. The baby’s skin is more of a reddish color and looks like it is wrinkles. There is the white coating called the vernix that protects the baby through childbirth.
The baby is on target to gain at least 2 more pounds before the end of the eighth month. The baby’s brain is still developing so it is important to continue to eat better and get plenty of sleep. You may not feel the baby moving as much as before. The baby is taking up much of the uterus and you will feel them kick and stretch their arms out.
The baby’s lungs are developing will soon be a 100% mature. The baby’s eyes are fully functional and can open and close at will. The umbilical cord is coated so if the baby turns while in the womb the cord will not get knotted to kinked. The baby’s skeleton is 100% formed and is still developing. The baby’s bones are a bit soft but they continue to develop and harden at week thirty-two. Experts have said that the baby is sensitive to touch and will kick the mom to be if you place a hot or very cold pad on the belly.
How Your Life’s Changing
To accommodate you and your baby’s growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.
You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven’t had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.
Assuming it’s not preterm labor that’s ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.
What To Expect
What you can expect from this stage of pregnancy is all about childbirth and what your options are. Sit down with your doctor and your partner and discuss what your options are. You should know and understand what the contractions are and what they feel like. Some women claim that if you are having a contraction that you will know it. Others about to give birth are scared that they won’t. So talk to your doctor and discuss all of the options.
To find out if what you are feeling are really contractions, experts say to eat something or drink something and if the pain subsides then they are not contractions. This is done because hunger and often dehydration can cause similar symptoms to labor contractions.
Natural Childbirth Tips For Moms
Make sure your doctor or midwife is supportive of natural childbirth. Talk to her about your childbirth goals. You can normally get a good read on how your doctor feels about natural childbirth by listening to his or her reactions to you. Having a supportive doctor or midwife is very important when trying to have a natural childbirth.
Hire a doula. Doulas, as discussed in an earlier newsletter, help coach and assist you during childbirth. Having a doula with you during your childbirth will greatly increase your chances of doing things naturally.
Get your nurse on your side. Talk to your nurse about your goals. Your nurse can be your best friend during childbirth. Tell her that you want to have a natural childbirth as soon as you meet with her. She can help you by encouraging you, making your more comfortable, or just being close by if you need help.
Change positions during labor. Try walking, leaning, rocking or getting on all fours. You may find one position feels more comfortable than another. You may be advised to give birth on your back. Even though a lot of hospitals still use this position, this is not the best position for birth. A semi-sitting position is similar to being on your back, but much more comfortable and effective.
Don’t tense up. Yes, we know. This may be easier said than done. You may find yourself tensing up during contractions. Clenching your fists or curling up may make your contractions feel more intense. Try to breathe and relax as much as possible during contractions.
Don’t panic. A lot of moms do really well during the first part of labor and start to panic once contractions start to get stronger and more painful. You may start to feel like your labor is never going to end or that you are not making progress fast enough. Try to focus on making it through one contraction at a time and not to get into panic mode. Panicking or getting hysterical will make your contractions seem more painful and feel as though they are lasting longer. If you find yourself getting into panic mode, regroup and try to breathe and relax through a few contractions. Once you can get back into a calm state of mind, your contractions may be more manageable.
