32nd week of pregnancy: can the baby already distinguish day from night?

You are already in your 32nd week of pregnancy and are completing your 8th lunar month.

How is your baby developing in your tummy?

The baby's weight at this time is approximately 1700 g. It continues to grow rapidly through fat deposition. Its length is approximately 42 cm.

At 32 weeks, the lungs are forming in the lung chutes. The baby is still training breathing in the womb. The lungs are almost developed and ready for birth and independent breathing. The amount of surfactant in the lungs is already sufficient.

The lungs are still maturing at this week.
The development of the lung chutes continues until the baby is 8 years old.

The skin on the baby's body is straightening by filling in with fat cells. The colour of the skin has been red so far, but is already changing to pink as the baby gains weight.

At 32 weeks, the fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day. Long, short and deep sleep alternate. The baby is likely to have different sensations in the womb and is at rest.

The baby can already distinguish between day and night.

The bones become harder but the skull remains soft. The bones of the skull are not fused. The skull may change in volume as it passes through the birth canal.

The brain continues to develop rapidly. It begins to be able to control various functions such as breathing, digestion and body temperature.

Toenails are already visible.

Hair follicles continue to grow and thicken.

Eye colour develops. Eyes are often dark blue at birth and do not acquire their final colour until several months after birth.

The position of the fetus should already be head down in the pubic bone. If this has not already happened in the previous weeks. If the baby is still facing head up and the pelvic end is in the pubic bone, there is still a chance that it will turn correctly head down even in the narrowed spaces of the uterus.

The table shows the approximate fetal dimensions at 32 weeks as measured by sonography

For more information on fetal measurements, see the article:
Ultrasound in pregnancy: fetal size, what is fetal biometry?

Babies born at 32 weeks have an excellent chance of survival, even if their lungs and liver are not yet fully developed.

From 32 to 36 weeks, babies are considered moderately immature. They have a high chance of survival and a normal life.

If you're expecting twins, their growth has probably slowed. They don't have enough room in the womb and have to share supplies.

Communicate with your baby. From the 28th week, he has active hearing and listens to you. This gives him a greater ability to learn, he is not afraid to explore the world afterwards, he is able to concentrate more than other babies, and he has a flexible mind. He cries less after birth, is more relaxed and has a better sleeping pattern.

How does a woman feel at 32 weeks?

The pelvis is stretching and preparing for birth. You may feel mild pain in the pelvic area and hip joints.

Back pain, heartburn and leg cramps may persist.

You may experience increasing discomfort from a growing abdomen that partially restricts you.

The uterus grows upwards, which will accentuate heartburn and breathing problems. You may have difficulty breathing due to sitting, fast walking or certain activities.

Your abdomen is already reaching its maximum size.

You may start to gain half a kilo a week this week, half of which is directly attributable to the baby. If you have not yet developed stretch marks, they are likely to appear now.

Your lower limbs are swelling. Try to rest more and put your feet on a pillow. Mild swelling of the limbs is normal at this time, but you need to recognise mild swelling from pre-eclampsia.

If you notice sudden swelling, abdominal pain, headache, nausea to vomiting, changes in vision, then seek medical attention immediately.

The growing fetus and head are pressing on the bladder. The pressure on the bladder makes you visit the toilet more often. Also, the need to go to urinate often wakes you up from sleep.

Fatigue continues to follow you.

The errands come with hardening and tightening of the abdomen. If they persist, or if they increase in intensity and shorten in duration, visit the hospital. The doctors will make sure that premature labour does not begin.

Also, if you feel:

• Pain like menstruation
• uncomfortable hardening of the abdomen
• the baby is restless
• you have abdominal cramps such as diarrhoea
• you notice a different discharge than at other times
• leakage, even outflow of amniotic fluid

In these cases, visit the hospital. You can prevent premature birth. The hospital will take care of you, provide supportive treatment for the baby and stop the impending premature birth.

If you are expecting twins, be prepared for the fact that birth can come at any time.

What can you observe?

You don't have enough energy because your body is already preparing for birth and is drawing lots of energy.

Your colostrum is a translucent to yellowish fluid that will be your baby's first nutritious food. It may drain from your breasts during this period.

Have you noticed your baby's movements and the rolling of your pregnant belly from side to side?

When the fetus turns, you can feel knees, buttocks, heels, elbows. Sometimes your belly arches. The baby presses its back against the uterine wall, pushes out an elbow or buttocks. Turning is already becoming a problem for it. The space in the uterus is shrinking.

What tests are you looking forward to at 32 weeks?

You will have a routine examination in the consulting room. Your weight gain will be recorded, your urine will be tested for protein, blood, sugar and pus and your blood pressure will be taken.

The doctor will ask you about hardening of the abdomen, any discharge, swelling of the lower limbs, headaches and other problems that are bothering you.

In addition, he or she will palpate the size of your uterus and check the condition of your cervix. He or she will listen to the fetal sounds. He or she will determine the position of the fetus and check the blood flow through the fetus.

The antenatal check-up takes place 6 to 8 weeks before your due date.

What if the baby is born early?

Babies born between the 32nd and 34th gestational weeks are classified as moderately immature. Their weight ranges from 1500 g to 1999 g, which is a low weight.

Babies born from the 32nd week of gestation onwards have a good chance of survival and normal, healthy development without subsequent complications. They quickly catch up with their peers in development.

After the birth of a premature newborn, the baby is stabilised in the operating theatre. Respiratory and circulatory support is provided. If necessary, surfactant is administered to the lungs.

Adequate body temperature is maintained so that they do not get cold. The thermoregulation of premature newborns is not yet sufficiently developed. The baby is then placed in a heated incubator, which replaces the womb.

Nutrition in premature babies is very important. First, it is provided by infusion therapy, which contains all the necessary nutrients. Then, in small doses, by breast milk, which contains all the necessary nutrition for the newborn.

Physical contact with the parents, kangarooing, if the state of health allows it, has a very positive effect.

What can we recommend?

• Limit foods that bloat you. The intestines are compressed by the pressure of the uterus. This can cause pain and cramping.
• With heartburn, try to eat more often and in small portions. Limit acidic and spicy foods that increase burning.
• Give yourself plenty of rest, try to rest during the day and put your feet up on a pillow.
• A healthy diet and plenty of fluids are very important.
• Don't forget to eat enough fibre to prevent constipation.
• Getting enough calcium, iron and vitamins in your diet is important for both you and your baby. Your baby gets these nutrients from your diet. It is better to increase your intake. This will avoid later problems and iron deficiency anaemia. Your gynaecologist will tell you what you are lacking and what to supplement in your diet based on the samples taken at the surgery.
• Practice Kegel exercises to firm the pelvic floor.
• Massage your skin to prevent stretch marks and dry skin.
• Don't forget to take regular walks or light exercise. You'll build up the physical strength you'll need during labour.

Start preparing your baby clothes, preferably made of 100% cotton.

Stock up on washing gel or perfume-free washing powder for sensitive skin. Newborn skin is very sensitive and prone to rashes. Therefore, it is recommended to use the most sensitive products.

Look for a stroller, a crib and basic equipment. Buying equipment is quite expensive, so shop wisely. Look for reviews on the particular brand you have in mind. You will avoid any shortcomings or poor quality product.

For more information on the next weeks of pregnancy, read this summary article:
Pregnancyby weeks: How pregnancy and fetal development progress