32 weeks pregnant

What to expect this week

What's happening in week 32

Week 32 and not long at all until your baby's due date!

Your baby at 32 weeks

Your growing baby is now around 48cm long and weighs about 4lbs. They’re so well developed and turning into such a real little person that their finger nails are even sprouting in the womb. If you go overdue, you might find they are born with long nails that will need an immediate trim!
Their skin is now soft and smooth as they continue to take on fat, gaining around half a pound per week. Their skin is a lot less transparent and more opaque as the fat continues to develop.
Your baby is enjoying periods of rest and wriggles now – and while they doze, they will be having dreams! Really! Scientists have discovered that babies dream at this stage of pregnancy and that their dream sleep patterns are much the same as adults! Can you even begin to imagine what they might dream about?
When they are awake, your baby will practicing all the skills that are necessary for the world including swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking.
Your baby will very likely have moved into the engaged position by now, but don’t worry if not they might just be taking their time. If they don’t move, they’ll be breech (which affects less than 5% of births) and your midwife will be able to advice on options for the birth.

You at 32 weeks pregnant

You might find your belly button 'pops' as your bump gets bigger, and sticks out from your tummy by 32 weeks. It will go back to normal after your baby is born, so don't worry!
You are no doubt thinking more and more about when you might go into labour now, and what your action plan will be on the day – have you got someone to take you to the hospital if your partner is stuck somewhere? Are there contingency plans in place if your birth partner can't get to the hospital on time? Lots of things to think about and organise! Have a look at our page on writing a birth plan if you haven't already done so – there's really not long to go now!

What to think about in week 32

Even if you are now counting down the days to your maternity leave, you might be wondering just how you are going to fill your time while everyone else is at work - particularly if you know the novelty of relaxing in front of daytime TV will wear off after just a couple of days. Obviously you should be relaxing and getting as much rest as possible pre-baby, but gentle exercise and keeping active is still really important.
Once you go on leave, why not meet up with working pals for a lunchtime swim a couple of times a week to keep boredom at bay and take the weight off your bump?