32 Weeks Pregnant

As your big day approaches, you’re probably starting to get a little nervous (as well as crazily excited, hopefully). Don’t worry if this week’s symptoms feel unrelenting; you’ve only got to put up with them for a little while longer.

Let’s take a look at what you can expect during your 32nd week of pregnancy, from your baby’s development to managing your pregnancy symptoms and preparing for your upcoming delivery.

At 32 weeks, your baby is around the size of a large stalk of celery. Babies at this point are about 16 inches long (on average) and should weigh roughly 3.7 pounds. 12

Here’s what else is happening this week:

• Storing essential minerals: Your baby is storing minerals like iron, calcium, and phosphorus. These will play an important role in her development over her first six months until she begins eating solid food. 3
• Building up fat stores: Your little one is also building up body fat to help regulate her temperature once she emerges into the world. This means that her skin is becoming more opaque, in contrast to the translucent skin she had a few weeks ago. 4
• Lung development: Your baby’s lungs are in the final stages of development. She’s now practicing her breathing by “inhaling” and “exhaling” amniotic fluid. She’s also familiarizing herself with skills like sucking and swallowing, which she’ll need to breastfeed or bottle-feed after birth. 3
• Genital development: Your baby’s reproductive organs are also moving towards the right places. If you have a boy, his testicles are descending into his scrotum, whereas if you have a girl, her uterus and ovaries are already fully formed, complete with all the eggs she’ll ever have. 56
• Movement: Your little one is still moving, but her movements will likely consist of squirming and tapping, rather than most of the rolling around you used to feel in previous months. You might find that her kicks are more forceful than before, too. 7
• Getting into position for birth: Your baby is starting to move into the head-down position, which is generally required for a vaginal birth. If your baby isn’t in this position yet, though, don’t worry—there’s still enough time for her to change as she is still growing at this time. Fewer than 5% of babies remain in the bottom-down (or breech) position at birth (and even if yours does, you and your doctors can handle it safely). 8
• Sleep cycles: Just like you, your baby has regular sleep and wake cycles. She’s getting plenty of rest to prepare for her big debut.

With your body gearing up for labor, you might notice some changes in it. Here are some of the most common ones you’ll experience at 32 weeks pregnant:

• Swollen feet: You’ll likely have edema (mild swelling). This symptom is very common—roughly 75% of expectant moms have to deal with it. 9 However, new swelling of the hands or face may be abnormal, so be sure to discuss these symptoms with your doctor!
• Itchy skin: Your skin stretching to accommodate your growing belly can cause itchiness. If this becomes unbearable, talk to your doctor about using over-the-counter and topical anti-itch products. You should also tell your doctor if your itchiness is severe, involves your palms or soles—especially without a rash—or, conversely, if you get any new rashes.
• Stretch marks: You might see pink, red, purple, or brown streaks on your stomach, breasts, hips, thighs, and butt. These marks are usually unavoidable (and how susceptible you are to them is largely hereditary), but they’ll eventually fade away after you give birth. You can use some cocoa butter or other non-irritating moisturizers to help with the associated discomfort.
• Bleeding gums: Increased hormone levels can make your gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding. Make sure your oral hygiene is tip-top, and visit your dentist regularly. It’s worth noting that it’s safe for you to get dental X-rays (although you should discuss that with your doctor and dentist), cleaning, and local anesthesia while you’re pregnant.
• Leaky breasts and darker nipples: Your breasts may have already started producing (and leaking) colostrum, a yellowish fluid filled with protein and antibodies that your baby will suckle during the first few days of her life. Your changing hormones may also make your nipples darker.
• Dry eyes: Some women find their eyes are especially dry at this stage. Fear not—this usually clears up after pregnancy. 10

Use your journal, calendar, or pregnancy tracker app to record any symptoms you want to discuss with your doctor.

With your hormones all over the place and your growing baby putting extra strain on your body, you might get symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath: As your tummy grows bigger and heavier, you’ll find yourself out of breath more often.
• Heartburn: You might suffer from heartburn. That’s because your stomach has less room due to the pressure of your growing baby. 11
• Appetite changes: Similarly, with your baby crowding your organs, you may feel less hungry. You may also experience nausea after eating, which can be caused by hormone-triggered gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). 12
• Constipation: Your growing uterus will also put pressure on your bowels, resulting in you getting backed up.
• Varicose veins and hemorrhoids: Varicose veins during pregnancy may appear in your legs, pelvic area, or buttocks can swell because of increased blood volume and pressure from your uterus. Hemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins in the rectal area, and can be painful, although they aren’t dangerous. 13
• Leg cramps: You might get painful cramps, possibly from pregnancy weight gain and overall changes in circulation, though the exact cause is not known. If this happens, ensure that you’re adequately hydrated (your urine should be clear or a very light yellow), and perform gentle calf stretches. Ice baths, warm water baths, warm compresses, and massage may also be helpful. Unfortunately, there’s no scientific evidence that supplements can help with leg cramps, but if you have any questions, ask your doctor! 14
• Vaginal discharge: Increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy is normal as your body prepares for labor. Take note of any changes in consistency or color, and see a doctor at once if you think your water has broken early.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are one of the most noticeable pregnancy symptoms at 32 weeks. These are quick spurts of contractions that last anywhere from a few seconds to around 2 minutes.

These contractions are definitely uncomfortable, but usually not severely painful. This “false labor” often feels like mild menstrual cramps or a short tightening in your midsection. 15

If you’ve been pregnant before, you’ll likely be more sensitive to these “practice” contractions, which are random and increase in frequency the further along you are.

Several things can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions, including a big kick from your little one, sex or an orgasm, a full bladder, or dehydration. A simple change in position is often enough to make them go away. A warm (but not hot!) bath can also help (besides just being a nice way to treat yourself). Of course, if you notice these contractions are occurring regularly, become more painful, or are associated with any other symptoms, call your doctor’s office for advice!

What is lightning crotch?

In contrast, the (rather more colorfully named) pregnancy symptom of lightning crotch is more intense and painful than Braxton Hicks contractions, although it doesn’t usually last as long as they do.

It feels like a rapid shooting pain or a feeling of pins and needles through your pelvis or vagina. Just like Braxton Hicks contractions, changing your position can help. You can also use a belly support band to ease the pressure on your pelvis.

How to recognize the signs of labor

Lightning crotch and Braxton Hicks contractions are distinct from labor pains. Labor contractions: 16

• Are regular, more frequent (coming every 10 minutes or less), and painful
• May be accompanied by other labor symptoms (e.g., your water breaking)
• Don’t subside with rest or changing positions

One piece of good news this week is that if your baby comes early—making her “moderately” premature—she has a high chance of survival as long as she receives proper intensive care. 17

Of course, it’ll be better if she reaches full term, but if you do feel something that you suspect might be the onset of premature labor, don’t panic. Just contact your doctor immediately and follow their instructions.

Know the signs of preeclampsia.

Be on the lookout for certain unusual symptoms, such as:

• Sudden and severe swelling in your hands, face, and feet
• Headaches
• Fever
• Pelvic or abdominal pain

While these symptoms aren’t necessarily serious, they can indicate preeclampsia, which is a sudden and dangerous spike in blood pressure. Contact your OB or doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of them. 18

You’ve done great so far, but you’ve still (ideally!) got a few more weeks to go until you meet your little one.

If your symptoms are causing you grief, here’s how you can alleviate them and continue taking care of yourself and your baby:

Get some rest

You’re feeling the strain of carrying a tiny human day and night, so make sure you get plenty of rest. Keep your feet elevated to help with swelling and avoid any activities that can put you at risk of falling or causing any trauma to your growing baby.

Finding time to unwind is great for both of you. Settling down to listen to some music, for example, is not only relaxing for you, but may also help your baby’s language development. 19

You can also try getting a prenatal massage to help relieve stress and discomfort. These massages are usually safe, as they’re done by a trained professional.

Stay moderately active

While you should make sure you’re resting enough, try to get a little exercise in there, too. Walking or prenatal yoga can be great for aches and pains, constipation, and swelling. Of course, make sure you get the all-clear from your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Eat well

Although you’ll need an extra 300 calories daily, that doesn’t give you free rein over the cookie jar. 20 Make sure you eat well and keep healthy pregnancy snacks on hand.

Food like salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids—which are very important must-haves in your pregnancy diet, as they support your baby’s development—and can help resolve dry eyes. 21

Avoid heartburn triggers, such as spicy and highly-acidic foods. Salty, fatty, and processed foods (along with caffeine) are other foods you should avoid during pregnancy. They can make edema worse, so avoid them for now. 22

Find ways to get comfortable

That growing belly of yours sure makes it hard to get comfortable, so try to find positions that feel better.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try putting a pillow between your legs. You should be sleeping on your side at this stage, with many doctors claiming your left side is best. 23 Lying flat on your back is one of the worst sleeping positions during pregnancy, as it can restrict blood flow.

Consider investing in a pregnancy pillow to help you stay comfortable and on your side throughout the night.

With your due date quickly approaching, now is a great time to focus on getting ready for your little one’s arrival. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of things:

• Ensure your vaccinations are up to date: The CDC recommends that all pregnant women at 32 weeks and beyond get the Tdap vaccine, which protects you and your baby from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). The RSV vaccine is also important—it protects you both from the respiratory syncytial virus. 24 Make sure you also get your flu and COVID shots.
• Research pain management options: If you want pain relief during labor, check out your options, such as local anesthesia (i.e., an epidural). You can also look into breathing techniques for labor.
• Consider a cervix check: Your doctor will usually perform a cervix check once you start showing signs of labor, but they’re elective (optional) in most other cases. During a check, your OB will insert a gloved finger into your vagina to check how close you are to giving birth. You have the right to decline cervical checks, so speak to your doctor about them and weigh the pros and cons.
• Avoid unnecessary ultrasounds: Always check with your OB if you need extra ultrasounds. Experts discourage ultrasounds done “for fun,” as these may pose unnecessary risks to your little one. The general medical consensus is that scans should only be done for medical reasons and by qualified and trained professionals. 25
• Prepare for breastfeeding: If you plan to breastfeed, start learning about it now. Talk to other nursing moms, consider taking a class, or find a local moms’ support group. If you plan on pumping milk, you can order a breast pump through your insurance, or inquire with the hospital where you’re giving birth if they have a program that provides pumps.
• Narrow down baby names: You don’t have to decide now, but write down a list of baby names you’re leaning toward. You can look at baby name finders for inspiration and narrow down your choices as you draw closer to you and your baby’s big day.
• Make a list of delivery room visitors: Visits are all well and good, but they can be stressful. Don’t feel pressured to include people you don’t want in the delivery room with you. Set boundaries for visitors, too, such as how long they can stay or the number of people in the room. Make sure they are up to date on their vaccines as well!
• Stock up on supplies: To make your post-delivery situation at home easier, fill up your pantry beforehand, and stock up on healthy ready-to-eat or easy-to-cook meals. Make sure that you also have essential items like diapers, wipes, postpartum pads, comfortable underwear, newborn clothes, and feeding bottles. If you’re not breastfeeding, you’ll need formula, too.

The arrival of your little one is just around the corner, so make sure to stay informed and proactive so that the remainder of your pregnancy journey is healthy, safe, and as comfortable as possible. You’re at week 32, with just a couple of weeks to go. The third trimester is no walk in the park, so keep reminding yourself that you’re doing a great job!

Again, always talk to your OB if you have any questions or concerns, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your support system for help. Do your best to look forward instead of dwelling on your lingering pregnancy symptoms—it won’t be long at all until you’re finally holding your baby’s chubby little hand and hearing her first laugh.