32 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore?

Week-by-week guide to pregnancy
pregnant woman sitting down
When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!

1st trimester
2nd trimester
3rd trimester

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 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31
Week 32
Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Week 36
Week 37
Week 38
Week 39
Week 40
Week 41

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. That's approximately the size of a kale leaf and the weight of a joint of beef.

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.