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32 Weeks Pregnant

May 1st, 2009

32 Weeks Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week

pregnancy weeks 32

**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.

Week 32

How Big is the Baby at 32 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby continues to put on weight during pregnancy at 32 weeks, and is now almost 4 pounds. By 32 Weeks Pregnant your baby is also just under 19 inches long.

Your Baby’s Growth and Development

By 32 Weeks Pregnant your baby now has toenails and fingernails to complement her frame, though it will probably be a while before your baby requires an official pedicure or manicure.

Your baby continues to grow strong and put on weight during pregnancy at 32 weeks and in the upcoming weeks.

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy 32 weeks the total volume of blood circulating in your body is about 40 to 50 percent higher than it was before you became pregnant. This added blood volume helps accommodate your fetus. You are probably still gaining about one pound per week during pregnancy 32 weeks. Some women find they are experiencing more shortness of breath at this time during their pregnancy. Be sure you avoid overexertion and take time to rest during the day.

You might start experiencing pain in your buttocks and lower back among other places by pregnancy week 32 as your center of gravity shifts. Take care when walking to avoid unnecessary falls or slips!

Changes in You
If you are having twins, during pregnancy week 32 your uterus would probably be the same size it would be at 40 weeks in a singleton pregnancy! In a single pregnancy the uterus typically measures about 5 inches above the belly button now. The increasing size of your uterus can contribute to heartburn and indigestion as well as a sense of breathlessness during pregnancy.

At this point you should make an effort to drink lots of water as you continue your pregnancy week by week and consume foods high in fiber to help combat constipation, which is typically during late pregnancy. As you continue to grow your hips will start to expand and your ligaments will stretch to help prepare your body for labor.

Maternity Pillows
The Key To ZZZs During the Third Trimester

For many pregnant women the third trimester is often the hardest. During the third trimester you are at your largest. Your abdomen is practically bursting out of your body. You are probably suffering more leg cramps and lower back pain than ever before. And, you are probably having more trouble than ever sleeping comfortably.

Fortunately a good body pillow may be all you need to catch some quality zzz’s. A pregnancy pillow like Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows will help support you in all the right places, helping relieve much of the pressure you experience during pregnancy. You’ll find even your doctor is in support of a pregnancy pillow during pregnancy. If you haven’t tried one yet, you ought to!

Maternity Clothes
Maternity Clothes That Help Breastfeeding Moms Succeed

Breastfeeding is difficult enough to master without having to worry about finding clothes that easily lend themselves to the process. Fortunately there are a variety of maternity outfits that help make breastfeeding much easier. New Arrivals at Motherhood Nursing Wear that are readily available to help make feeding your baby easier in the first few weeks of life and beyond. Many women start looking for breastfeeding maternity wear while still pregnant, particularly nursing bras. This is an exceptional idea, particularly if you find your breasts growing and in need of more support during your pregnancy. Your breastfeeding experience should be easy, feminine and above all else comfortable.

Think cotton is the best choice for your nursing bra? Think again. Over time cotton can stretch out or lose its shape. When looking for Nursing bras from Motherhood Nursing to complement breastfeeding, consider a bra with a cotton/Lycra or spandex and nylon blend. When it comes to breastfeeding, you have a wealth of options available to you.

Pregnancy Health Tips
Each and every woman that is expecting should prepare themselves for the possibility of a cesarean birth. By doing so if the need arises, hopefully you will feel more informed, educated and relaxed about the procedure. This birthing process can sometimes induce fear and anxiety in women who are uninformed.

So what exactly does a cesarean entail? Cesarean delivery (C-Section) is the birth of the baby through an incision made on the mother’s abdomen and uterus. It is a surgical procedure that is performed in the operating room. Sometimes cesarean sections are planned, while at other times they are performed as the result of an emergency that develops during labor or before a mother goes into labor. Typically 1 in 4 babies are born by cesarean every year. Whether or not you are planning a C-section it is a good idea to educate yourself about the procedure. Knowing what to expect will help relieve any fear or anxiety you might experience should the need arise to perform a C-section.

Why Would I Need To Have A Cesarean Delivery?
Many women know long before the actual birth of their baby that they will be delivering by C-section. You are probably wondering what would cause someone to plan to have a Cesarean birth. Here are a few reasons:

Previous cesarean birth.
Mechanical obstruction to the birth canal that prevents vaginal birth, such as a displaced pelvic fracture.
An active herpes infection.
Multiple babies such as twins or triplets.
The placenta is covering the cervix.
Patient Choice cesarean birth.

Some women plan on a vaginal delivery but find themselves in an emergency situation during delivery, thus a C-section must be performed to ensure the health and well being of both mother and baby. Some of the more common reasons for cesarean delivery during labor include:

Labor is not progressing. This is called failure to progress. It is typically caused by weak contractions, a large baby, or a small pelvis. One third of all cesarean births are caused by failure to progress.
The baby is not tolerating labor well. The baby’s heart rate keeps slowing down during contractions. This may be due to a weak placenta or the umbilical cord is being compressed.
The baby is breech. This means that the baby has its feet or buttocks in the birth canal instead of the head.
Bleeding from the vagina. This is caused by the placenta separating from the uterine wall or the placenta being too close to the cervical opening.
Prolapse of the umbilical cord. This is when the umbilical cord drops in to the vagina. This can pinch the umbilical cord and decrease the blood supply to the baby.

You are probably concerned about the risks associated with a Cesarean section, particularly the risks to your newborn. The good news is that the risks to a newborn baby are relatively minimal. The major risk to the baby is having difficultly breathing for a short period of time immediately following delivery. This is called transient tachypnea of the newborn. This sometimes occurs because lung fluid may not be expressed as well when a baby is born via C-section compared with a vaginal delivery. This does not happen often but can be scary for a new parent. Rest assured however that this condition typically resolves relatively quickly.

What Should I Expect At The Time Of My Cesarean Delivery?
Whether you are planning on a C-section or not, it is a good idea to know what exactly the procedure entails. Remember, not all C-sections are planned, so knowing what to expect will definitely help you feel more comfortable should the need arise.

If you require a C-section you will be asked to sign a consent form. This states that you are allowing the doctor to perform the procedure. You will then undergo some routine blood testing. Finally, a nurse will start an intravenous (IV) in your arm. The IV will be used to keep you hydrated during your surgery and will also be used to give you medication.

Once all the preparations are completed, you and your support partner will be brought to the operating room. Just as with a vaginal delivery, your support partner will be allowed to attend the birth.

After arriving in the operating room, you will receive either a general or regional anesthetic (epidural or spinal). The most common anesthetic used is a regional anesthetic. There are two types of regional anesthetic the epidural and spinal. With both of theses analgesics you are awake during the cesarean delivery.

With either procedure, the anesthetist will numb the skin over the spine with a local anesthetic, then the spinal or epidural needle is inserted, and the anesthetic medication is placed close to the spine. The spinal anesthetic causes complete numbness of the abdomen and legs. The epidural anesthetic causes less numbness and works quite well. The choice of anesthetic depends on your operating team’s preference.

Very rarely a general anesthetic is used. With a general anesthetic, you will be put to sleep during the delivery of your baby. The general anesthetic is used mainly in emergency situations that do not allow the time needed to place either an epidural or spinal anesthetic. General anesthetic carries a greater risk of complications than the regional anesthetic and is usually avoided unless the situation warrants its use.

After your anesthetic is given the nurse will place a Foley catheter in your bladder. A Foley catheter is a thin tube used to help you eliminate urine. Keep in mind that you are now numb and, therefore, will not feel this procedure.

Finally, the lower abdomen will be shaved and prepped with an antiseptic solution. Now you are ready to go!

The physician will now check to see if your anesthetic is working well before the surgery begins. He will usually make a small horizontal or “bikini” cut above the pubic bone. Sometimes, however, the doctor will make an incision in a vertical direction in order to make it easier to deliver your baby. You can expect to hear your baby cry about 5 minutes after the doctor begins. The entire surgery will only take 30 to 40 minutes.

What Happens After The Cesarean Delivery?
After the cesarean delivery you will be brought back to the recovery area. There the nurse will monitor your vital signs and make sure you do not have any pain. This usually requires about 45 minutes. Some hospitals will bring your baby to you at this time and others will wait until you return to your room. You may breast feed your baby anytime after delivery. When you return to your own room, you will be able to visit with family and really get to know your newborn baby.

Even though you will be in your room, the nurse will be checking on you often during the first few hours – much more so than if you had a vaginal delivery. She will be monitoring your vital signs, making sure your uterus is not bleeding excessively, and making sure you do not have any pain. You will also stay in the hospital a bit longer than if you had a vaginal birth – from 2 to 3 days.

During the time at the hospital, you will probably experience some or all of the following:

Mild uterine cramping.
Light vaginal bleeding.
Some incision discomfort.

This is all very normal. Remember, you just had surgery and a baby!

As you leave the hospital, you will be told to watch for fever, increased pain, or heavy vaginal bleeding. If you experience any of these, do not hesitate to call your doctor.

You also need to be aware that you are recuperating! All patients after cesarean delivery should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activity, douching, tampons, and sexual intercourse until your doctor clears you for such activities at a follow-up visit. You will see your physician for follow up visits at 2 and 6-week intervals. You can expect to feel back to normal by your six-week checkup.

That is all there is to it. A cesarean birth whether planned or not, has become a rather routine procedure. Now that you know what to expect, you can relax, enjoy your pregnancy, and look forward to holding your brand new bundle of joy.

Article you might be interested in reading: Clear Blue Pregnancy Test, Pregnancy Timeline, Pregnancy Due Date and Pregnancy Health Insurance

Article source: http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com