You are 32 weeks pregnant

Your baby

Not feeling your baby move as much? After all the flailing she’s been doing up to this point, it might worry you. But it’s actually quite common for foetal movements to begin to lessen ...Read more

Your body

Has your walk turned into more of a waddle? Chances are that, by now, it has. Your baby bump has changed your posture - and, as a result, your gait. Adding to the whole duck walk effect is the preg...Read more

Your life right now

From this week on, your doctor or midwife is likely going to want to see you more often - about every two weeks. In your final month she may ask you to come in once a week. All these check-ups are ...Read more

Mums like me

‘A birth plan is a good way to communicate your thoughts with everyone who will be attending your birth. If there’s a changeover in shifts, you won’t have to constantly go over th...Read more

Not feeling your baby move as much? After all the flailing she’s been doing up to this point, it might worry you. But it’s actually quite common for foetal movements to begin to lessen around this time. Things are getting crowded inside your belly and she simply has less room to move. Counting foetal movements during her active time will reassure you that everything is OK. If you feel fewer than 10 movements (even subtle rolls) over the course of two hours, call your doctor. Otherwise, relax and know that she’s just snug inside you - not distressed. Starting this week, the lanugo hair that’s been covering your baby’s skin may begin to fall off. Don’t be surprised, however, if a bit of it hangs on - you might spot some fine hair on her back or shoulders after she’s born. It usually disappears in the first couple of weeks.

Has your walk turned into more of a waddle? Chances are that, by now, it has. Your baby bump has changed your posture - and, as a result, your gait. Adding to the whole duck walk effect is the pregnancy hormone relaxin. Its job is to loosen up your pelvic joints in preparation for delivery - but right now that extra wiggle room is causing you to move differently. At this point, you’re also probably finding it harder and harder to get a good night’s sleep. Between the giant belly, the heartburn, the getting up to wee and the active kid you’ve got banging around in there, it’s totally understandable. Just do your best! Snuggle up with that body pillow, try skipping liquids an hour or so before bed and prop up your upper body to keep stomach acid down where it belongs. And nap, nap, nap whenever you can!

From this week on, your doctor or midwife is likely going to want to see you more often - about every two weeks. In your final month she may ask you to come in once a week. All these check-ups are a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about labour and delivery and discuss concerns. No question is too silly, embarrassing or small! Bring a notebook, too - because odds are you’re going to be getting so much information that it’ll be hard to digest and remember it all without jotting it down.

‘A birth plan is a good way to communicate your thoughts with everyone who will be attending your birth. If there’s a changeover in shifts, you won’t have to constantly go over the same info with everyone who enters your room - they can just read your birth plan and be up to speed. It also helps you to define exactly what your expectations and parameters are. When you’ve written your birth plan out, you may find you've answered questions for yourself that you didn't even know you had: pain medications and interventions; whether you want the baby on your chest or your husband's - there really is a lot of info to go through.’ - smiling2007

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