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Week-by-week guide to pregnancy
3rd trimester
Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From advice on writing a birth plan to what to expect at antenatal classes, you'll find it all here.
Week 32 – your 3rd trimester
You might find your bump is making it harder to walk and making you “waddle”. That's your body's way of compensating for all that extra weight up front.
What's happening in my body?
Over the next 4 weeks, you'll gain around 450g a week. Your baby will be putting on weight too, with around a kilogram of extra fat. The extra chubbiness will help your baby to stay at the right temperature after they're born. It's very easy for little bodies to get too hot or too cold.
Your baby is probably head down now, ready for birth ("cephalic presentation"). Try not to worry if this is not the case, there is still time. However, if you get to around week 36 and your baby is not head down, your doctor or midwife might offer ways to encourage your baby to turn into position.
As your baby gets bigger, there will be less space in your womb. You should still feel movements, at the same rate, until you give birth. If there are any changes to the patterns, or your baby stops moving, contact your midwife or hospital as soon as possible.
Your choice of maternity service
You've probably got a good idea now about where you would like to give birth.
If you're having a planned caesarean section, then find out how long you can expect to be in hospital, so you can get prepared and make any arrangements for your other children. The average stay is 3 or 4 days.
Ask as many questions as you like and make sure you're confident with your choice. If you're not sure, then you can change your mind.
Find out what other people think of your local NHS maternity services.
If you're worried about how coronavirus might impact your birth plan, visit the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for the most up to date advice.
Vitamin K
Within 24 hours of giving birth, you'll be asked if you would like your baby to have vitamin K. This is recommended by the Department of Health for all babies. Vitamin K is important because it helps the blood to clot and can prevent a very rare condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which can cause brain damage and even death. It is usually given as a jab in the thigh and is very safe.
It's your right to refuse the jab or ask for the vitamin to be given by mouth (orally) instead. Decide what is best for your baby and discuss it with your partner.
3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 32 weeks)
You may be feeling more tired than usual. Try and take plenty of rests throughout the day.
Your signs of pregnancy could also include:
- sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
- stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
- swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
- pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
- piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
- headaches
- backache
- indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
- bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
- leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
- feeling hot
- dizziness
- swollen hands and feet
- urine infections
- vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
- darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
- greasier, spotty skin
- thicker and shinier hair
You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:
- mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
- morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
- weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
- a heightened sense of smell
- sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page) - a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)
Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.
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What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or foetus, is around 42.4cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 1.7kg.
Your baby is perfectly formed, but needs to put on weight – that's what the next few weeks are all about.
Download Tommy's leaflet about baby movements.
Action stations
Have you chosen a pushchair yet? If you're buying one second hand, check the brakes work, and that it's the right height for you. You might also like to get a baby sling for the first few weeks.
Babies love the close contact, and you will too. Choose a carrier that will support your baby's head and check the straps are secure. Read some tips on what to buy on the NHS website.
This week you could also...
You have maternity rights. You can ask for a risk assessment of your work place to ensure that you're working in a safe environment. You should not be lifting heavy things and you may need extra breaks and somewhere to sit. You can also attend antenatal appointments during paid work time.
It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stopping midflow. Visit Tommy’s for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.
The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.
Even if you've had children before, antenatal classes are still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.
Do your best to stop smoking, give up alcohol and go easy on the tea, coffee and anything else with caffeine. Ask your midwife or GP for support if you need it.
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.
Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.
It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
There's no need to eat for 2. Now you're in the 3rd trimester, you may need an extra 200 calories a day, but that's not much. It's about the same as 2 slices of wholemeal toast and margarine.
Try and eat healthily with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.
How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.
You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.
Getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind. However now is a good time to start planning what type of contraception you would like to use after your baby is born. Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than you realise and too short a gap between babies is known to cause problems. Talk to your GP or midwife to help you decide.
You will be offered newborn screening tests for your baby soon after they are born. These screening tests are recommended by the NHS. This is because these tests can make sure that your baby is given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.
It is important to think carefully whether you want to have these screening tests. Your decisions about whether or not you want this tests will be respected, and health care professionals will support you.
Ask your midwife or doctor for more information about newborn screening.
You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):
To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:
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