Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 32)

Week 32 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 32)

What is expected in this month's prenatal checkups?


You are going to your doctor's office a little more frequently from this point on. You will be expected to have a checkup every 2 weeks this month and on a weekly basis in month nine.


You can expect your doctor to check:-


• The fundal height (the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus will be measured)


• Size and position of baby (your doctor will assess this by placing her hands on your abdomen and feeling for the baby)


• Your weight (to see if you weight gain is steady)


• Your blood pressure (to check for any signs of pregnancy related hypertension or preeclampsia)


• Your urine (to check your sugar and protein levels are within the normal range)


• The fetal heart rate (to keep tabs on baby's general health. Baby's heart beat is more rapid than yours - at a rate of 120-160 beats per minute on average)

Some Basic Pointers (Week 32)

Antenatal Vitamins

Some women discontinue with their antenatal vitamins on the grounds of finding it unnecessary. Some forget to take them or find it cumbersome to follow a routine. This is a mistake. The vitamins and iron are essential to yours and your baby's well being. If you are anemic at the time of delivery, this could have an adverse effect on you and your baby. The need for blood transfusion is higher, which is best avoided in such a circumstance.



Nutritionally Vulnerable Women

You need to make a special effort to eat well during pregnancy if any of these apply to you. Supplements are a must for your health and your baby's well being.

• You are allergic to key foods such as milk

• Before becoming pregnant you were already having issues such as being underweight, undernourished or having poor eating habits or unbalanced diet

• You have had a recent miscarriage or stillbirth, or your children are spaced closely together

• You are a heavy smoker or drinker

• You have a condition that compels you to be on medication constantly

• You are an adolescent and still growing

• You have a multiple pregnancy

• You are undergoing a lot of stress or your workload is heavy and the situation is not within your means to change

Your Nutrition (Week 32)

Handy Foods

Some foods that we take for granted are in actual fact quite handy. One such example is potatoes, which are underrated but are actually very nutritious. Try and include them in your diet. A potato contains about 3mg (1oz) of protein, together with calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin plus seven times as much Vitamin C as an apple. To cut back on calories, don't fry them. Instead cook them with their jackets by baking or boiling them whole. If you peel them first before cooking, much of the fiber, protein and vitamins will be lost. Milk is another useful food; it is easy to consume and is packed with protein, calcium together with Vitamins A & D. Low fat or skimmed is preferred over full cream. Some of you may not like the taste of milk so use it on cereals, custards or eat cheese or yoghurt. If you are allergic to milk, ensure you find the right substitutes to provide your body with the nutrients such as calcium which your body needs. Your daily needs will be met through your diet alone if you include the following foods on a daily basis: milk or yoghurt, eggs, fish, lean meat, whole grain foods (brown bread, rice or pasta) fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, fruit juices, nuts and dried fruits. Calcium can be found in leafy vegetables, dried peas, beans, lentils, and nuts. Calcium supplements help too especially if you are allergic to dairy products; if taken in the compound form you would need 1200mg daily.