During this portion of your pregnancy, your baby’s eyes can now open. His permanent teeth have developed, and the lungs and digestive tract are nearly mature. In order to keep a closer eye on you and your baby, your practitioner will start to schedule your prenatal visits every two weeks during this time.
The following steps are recommended during this time:
If you haven’t started childbirth classes, begin them now. Many alternatives are available, so check with your doctor or the hospital where you will deliver. If you’ll have help taking care of your newborn, remember that it’s a good idea for all caregivers (including you and your partner) to take an infant CPR class to be as prepared as possible for your newborn.
Pay closer attention to your baby’s movements. Although fetuses still spend most of their time sleeping, they start to develop clear sleep and wake cycles. A good general rule is that feeling about six movements in an hour is a sign of fetal well-being.
You don’t have to feel these movements every hour, but if you’re ever concerned that you’re not feeling your normal fetal movement, lie down and count the movements. If you can feel six movements in an hour, you can rest assured that this is normal.
The nature of the fetal movements may also change. Instead of the big punches and kicks you were feeling earlier, the movements during this time may be gentler, rolling type of movements.
Undergo a follow-up ultrasound if your practitioner orders one. This ultrasound can confirm that the baby is growing normally and has a good amount of amniotic fluid. Most practitioners also follow growth by measuring your uterine height every time you visit.
The top of your uterus is midway between your navel and your sternum. By 32 weeks, your baby weighs about 3 pounds, 11 ounces to 4 pounds (1.7 kg) and is 16 to 17 inches (40 cm) long.