Baby is the size of a Chinese Cabbage now and weighs nearly 1.9 kg!
- Some fetus assumes a head-down position also called a cephalic position around this week. An ob-gyn may confirm this by doing an abdominal examination. This is most ideal for normal vaginal delivery, where the baby is in a head-down position, with the baby’s back facing the maternal pelvis.
CHANGES IN ORGANS
- The baby’s toenails and fingernails have developed. The baby’s hair is also getting thicker and continues to grow post-birth.
TME Facts: Not all babies are born with luscious locks! Some have plenty of hair, while others have none. However, all babies are born with lanugo, which gets shed off in a few days to weeks post-birth.
- The baby’s skull bones move slightly and overlap to fit in the birth canal.
TME Glossary: This process is called “molding”. Then onwards, skull bones slide over each other to easily get out of the pelvic canal.
Fetus at 32 weeks
PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS IN MOTHER
- This week onwards, the baby’s kicks are not only getting stronger but also become visible. The baby is growing at a rapid phase, So you might experience giddiness due to hypoglycemia/reduced sugar levels.
TME Tips: Eat well and stay hydrated! It’s the final few weeks and both your body and baby need your support. So keep a watchful eye on what you eat.
Breast changes in the form of darkening of the nipple and areola are seen as a preparatory mechanism of lactation.
Continued calf cramps and back pain are noticed. Maintaining a good diet and taking proper supplements are important.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS
What is an NST/ Non stress test that your Ob-gyn suggests you to get one?
- It is a test done to assess fetal well-being. It records the baby’s movements and fetal heart rate. There is an association between fetal movements and fetal heart rate acceleration, which indicates a healthy fetus. Normally, after 32 weeks, the baseline fetal heart rate is 110–160 beats/min.
- Fetal biophysical profile (BPP):
- These tests assess fetal wellbeing and use several parameters such as:
NST – Nonstress test done to assess your baby’s health before birth.
Fetal breathing movement – In the last weeks of pregnancy, these movements are present at least 30% of the time.
Fetal body movements – These movements can be felt by the mother as well in the form of kicks, squirms, and wiggling.
Fetal muscle tone – This checks your baby’s muscular movements, such as opening and closing of mouth.
Amniotic fluid index values to assess the fetal health – Amniotic fluid is found around the fetus and provides nutrition and protection.
TME Tips: Amniotic fluid index is calculated via ultrasonography. The recordings are made after thorough observation of 30 minutes.
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