32 Week Pregnant | What to Expect at 32 Weeks Pregnant | Back Pain in Pregnancy
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Diana, a physician assistant specializing in women's health, discusses what to expect at 32 weeks of pregnancy. She covers the baby's development, including their size, breathing practice, and head-down position. Diana also offers tips on managing common discomforts such as back pain and sleep challenges. She emphasizes the importance of good posture, physical activity, and proper footwear. Additionally, she encourages pregnant viewers to support each other through the comment section. The video provides helpful advice and reassures viewers about the final weeks of pregnancy.
Takeaways
- 👶 At 32 weeks, the baby weighs around 3.5 to 4 pounds and is about 18 inches long.
- 🌟 Babies born at 32 weeks typically do very well, especially with access to a neonatal ICU.
- 🤰 By 32 weeks, many babies have moved into the head-down (vertex) position, readying for birth.
- 💨 The baby is practicing breathing amniotic fluid to help develop their lungs, preparing for life after birth.
- 🛌 Pregnancy at 32 weeks often brings discomfort, difficulty sleeping, and increased tiredness.
- 🌙 Back pain is common due to the growing belly shifting the body's center of gravity forward.
- 👟 Wearing supportive shoes and avoiding high heels can help alleviate pregnancy-related back pain.
- 🛏 Using a pregnancy pillow and sleeping on the side can reduce discomfort during sleep.
- 💪 Staying active with light exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga helps strengthen the core and reduce aches.
- 🩺 Severe or unusual back pain could indicate other issues like kidney stones or contractions, so consult a doctor if needed.
Q & A
What is the primary focus of the video?
-The video discusses what to expect when you are 32 weeks pregnant, including the baby's development, how the mother might be feeling, and tips for managing common problems like back pain.
Who is the presenter of the video and what is her professional background?
-The presenter of the video is Diana, a physician assistant who specializes in women's health and gynecology.
How much does the baby typically weigh at 32 weeks, and how long is it?
-At 32 weeks, the baby typically weighs about three and a half to four pounds and is about 18 inches long.
What is the likelihood of a baby born at 32 weeks surviving and developing normally?
-A baby born at 32 weeks has a high likelihood of surviving and developing normally, especially if the hospital has an NICU. Statistically, by the age of five, there is usually no noticeable difference between children born at full term and those born at 32 weeks.
What position is the baby usually in by 32 weeks, and what should parents do if the baby is still in the breech position?
-By 32 weeks, the baby is often in the head-down (vertex) position. If the baby is still in the breech position, parents should not worry too much as most babies (about 95%) will turn to the head-down position by the time of delivery.
What is the role of amniotic fluid in the baby's development?
-Amniotic fluid allows the baby to move around in the uterus, which helps strengthen their bones and muscles, aids in lung development through practice breathing, keeps pressure off the umbilical cord, keeps the baby warm, and acts as a cushion against external bumps.
How do the baby's breathing patterns change around 32 weeks?
-Around 32 weeks, the baby's breathing patterns start to change from quick, short, swallowing-like motions to slower and deeper breaths, resembling the breathing they will have after birth.
What are some common discomforts pregnant women experience around 32 weeks, and how can they alleviate them?
-Common discomforts include back pain, difficulty sleeping, and frequent urination. Alleviating these discomforts can involve avoiding high heels, using a maternity belt, sleeping with a pillow between the knees, engaging in light physical activity like walking or water exercises, and ensuring good posture.
What should pregnant women consider when dealing with back pain?
-Pregnant women should avoid high heels, use a maternity belt, ensure good posture, avoid lifting heavy objects, and engage in physical activities like walking or yoga. They should also use heat or ice packs to alleviate pain and consult their OB if the pain is severe or unusual.
Why is it important for pregnant women to stay hydrated, and what can dehydration cause?
-Staying hydrated is important because dehydration can cause the uterus to contract, leading to discomfort or premature labor. Pregnant women should drink plenty of water to prevent these issues.
Outlines
🤰 Overview of 32 Weeks Pregnancy and Baby Development
This video discusses what to expect during 32 weeks of pregnancy, focusing on the baby's development and maternal changes. The baby now weighs about 3.5 to 4 pounds and measures around 18 inches. If born now, babies have a high survival rate with NICU care. Most babies move into a head-down (vertex) position, and if not, they still have time to do so before delivery. The baby's breathing becomes more regular, practicing with amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid supports movement, lung development, and provides cushioning. By 32 weeks, mothers may start counting down their remaining time, often confused by the overlapping months and weeks. The explanation clarifies how pregnancy weeks align with months. Physical discomfort, especially during sleep, is common due to the growing baby.
🦶 Dealing with Pregnancy-Related Back Pain
At 32 weeks, many women experience back and leg pain due to the shifting center of gravity and hormones that relax pelvic ligaments. The video offers practical tips to alleviate back pain, such as avoiding high heels, using a maternity belt for support, and sleeping with a pillow between the knees. Physical activity like walking or water exercises is encouraged to strengthen core muscles. Women are advised to be mindful when lifting objects and children, ensuring they use their legs, not their back. Proper posture, rest, and good arch support in shoes are essential. The video also highlights that not all pain is related to pregnancy, cautioning viewers to consult their doctor for any unusual symptoms.
👶 Supporting Each Other Through Pregnancy
The final section emphasizes the importance of community support among pregnant women. The video highlights how viewers have been offering advice and encouragement to one another in the comments section, which the host finds heartwarming. She encourages viewers to continue supporting each other as they share similar experiences. The video concludes with a fun fact about baby development, noting that by this stage, a baby's fat cells are helping to keep them warm, and their eyes can now track light, responding by dilating or contracting based on light exposure.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡32 weeks pregnant
💡Baby development
💡Back pain
💡NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
💡Braxton Hicks contractions
💡Amniotic fluid
💡Vertex position
💡Pregnancy discomfort
💡Maternity belt
💡Physical activity during pregnancy
Highlights
Introduction to what to expect at 32 weeks pregnant, covering baby's development and common symptoms.
Diana, a physician assistant specializing in women's health and gynecology, introduces herself and the channel.
At 32 weeks, the baby weighs around 3.5 to 4 pounds and measures about 18 inches long.
Babies born at 32 weeks generally do well, with a stay in the NICU but good long-term health outcomes.
By 32 weeks, most babies have moved into the head-down, or vertex, position in preparation for birth.
The baby is practicing breathing, although they are still receiving oxygen through the umbilical cord.
Amniotic fluid plays a crucial role in the baby's development, helping with muscle and lung growth, temperature regulation, and cushioning.
The greatest amount of amniotic fluid is present around 34 to 36 weeks, after which it begins to decrease.
Clarification on how pregnancy weeks and months correspond, with a breakdown of the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy.
Many women feel more discomfort at 32 weeks due to difficulty sleeping and increased back pain.
Back pain in pregnancy is often caused by the shift in center of gravity and the relaxation of ligaments, making the lower back ache.
Wearing supportive shoes and using a maternity belt can help alleviate back pain and distribute weight more evenly.
Physical activity like walking, water exercises, and yoga can help maintain core strength and reduce discomfort.
Be mindful of lifting heavy objects, including older children, to prevent strain on the back during pregnancy.
If back pain is severe or unusual, it could be caused by other conditions like kidney stones or infections, so it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.
Transcripts
in this video we are going to talk about
what to expect when you are 32 weeks
pregnant
we're also going to go over your baby's
development how you might be feeling
right now how to help with problems like
back pain and so
much more but first if you're new here
my name is diana
i'm a physician assistant i specialize
in women's health and gynecology
you're watching in the pink and if
you're new here and the pink means in
good health and spirit so if you like
being healthy and happy click subscribe
because you're in the right place
so at 32 weeks your baby is about three
and a half to four pounds and they're
about 18 inches by now
and if your baby were to be born today
assuming that your hospital has an icu
your baby will most likely do very well
they still have to stay in the nicu for
a while maybe a month or two
but they actually do really really well
and in fact statistically
if you were to look at two
five-year-olds you wouldn't be able to
tell the difference between
one who was born a full term versus one
who was born at 32 weeks they actually
do
really quite well at this point so you
can take a deep breath of relief of
course you really don't
want to deliver this early but it's
still nice to know often by now the baby
has moved to the head down position this
is called the vertex position
now if your baby still is head up or
breach don't worry you're stressed out
about it by the time you deliver
most babies about 95 percent of babies
will turn by the time you deliver and
once your baby finds the head down
position
they usually stay that way at this point
what they're doing is they're making the
most of the small space that they have
by
snuggling their head into the bottom
part of your uterus
giving more space for the rest of their
body in order to prepare for
life after birth your baby is practicing
breathing
only now their motions are starting to
change so before
their breaths were really quick short
kind of swallowing breathing motions but
now their breathing is starting to
become slower and deeper
moving closer to what their breasts will
be like when they are born which is
about
40 to 60 breaths per minute of course
they're not breathing
air they don't get oxygen from their
breathing they get that from you
through their umbilical cord instead
they're actually breathing
amniotic food and just not breathing it
they're swallowing it as well
and then the kidneys will process that
amniotic fluid and
excrete it in the urine where it becomes
the amniotic fluid again
so let's talk about why you even have
amniotic fluid first
it gives your baby to move around in the
uterus which helps to strengthen their
bones and their muscles
and like i mentioned earlier it helps
their lungs to develop through the
practice
it also keeps pressure off the umbilical
cord and it keeps them warm and it acts
as a cushion
from bumps from the outside of the tummy
the uterus fills with
more and more amniotic fluid throughout
your pregnancy with the greatest
amount of fluid around 34 to 36 weeks
and then it starts to decrease making
room for your growing baby so at 32
weeks
you are now in the eighth month of your
pregnancy and you only have eight weeks
left to go
and at this point a lot of people start
counting down and then they're like
wait a minute if i am eight months how
come i still have
eight more weeks to go
i mean it gets a little confusing so i'm
gonna break that down for you
so at the beginning of 32 weeks you are
at the beginning
of your eighth month so next week you
will be eight months and one week
and then two weeks and then three weeks
and then when you are
36 weeks you will be starting your ninth
month but to get to full
term you still have to go through your
ninth month
nine months and one week two weeks three
weeks and four weeks
and then that's what gets you to your 40
weeks does that make sense
and many of you are never actually going
to even make it
to 40 weeks and you're going to deliver
before your due date but i hope that
makes sense to help you understand
um where you are in weeks versus where
you are in months
as for you you are really gonna start
feeling
pregnant at this point pregnancy becomes
a little bit less fun and a little bit
more uncomfortable at around 32 weeks
oh don't make me come in there
many women find that they feel a lot
more tired because they're not getting
good
sleep it's hard to sleep when you're
really hot you can't find a comfortable
position
maybe you're a back sleeper like me and
you can't get comfortable on your side
maybe you're getting
up to go pee multiple times in the
middle of the night and i'm not gonna
lie
these last few weeks get a little bit
tougher but you got this
and when all said and done it is so
worth it
so let's talk a little bit about back
pain and there are a lot of different
causes
for back pain and leg pain when you're
pregnant there's lumber strains
there's sciatica there's symphysis pubis
pain
but in general when your tummy gets
bigger it shifts
the center of gravity forward so that
you don't fall
forward your body naturally adjusts
by leaning back that makes the curvature
in your low back
exaggerated it makes it bigger and that
can really leave your back achy and
tired
and on top of that the same hormones
that your body is releasing
to relax the ligaments in your pelvis so
that your baby can
pass through your birth canal during
labor those are the same hormones that
relax
your pelvis that causes pain so here's a
few things that you can do to help first
off
think about what you were wearing on
your feet so avoid high heels because
that just shifts your
center of gravity even more forward
consider
getting a maternity belt and there are
lots of variations of maternity
belt they can strap over your shoulders
they can go around your belly
they can go over your belly they can go
in between your legs
or they can be just as simple as this
one right here
which i wore with all four of my
pregnancies belly bands can help
stabilize your pelvis and they can help
evenly distribute
the weight of your enlarging tummy which
might help reduce
pressure and aches and pains and i will
link to a few of them in the video
description down below
check them out i mean there is some
evidence that they can help you with
pain
when you sleep sleep on your side and at
this point i really recommend that you
put a pillow in between your knees
this offers a lot of support to your
hips and back you could either buy
pregnancy pillows like this
or like this or you can just fold up a
regular pillow and put it between your
knees honestly
whatever is the most comfortable for you
be sure to be engaging in physical
activity
now i'm not talking crazy strenuous
workouts
now is not the time to begin training
for a marathon but
with your obs okay you can do walking
water exercises which i personally love
because the pool takes the weight off
your belly
you can do stretching and yoga all these
things
help to keep your core strong which
helps reduce
aches and pains be sure to be careful
with
lifting things and this includes your
older kids if you have them so for my
last pregnancy
i had a one-year-old that wanted to be
held all the time and it's hard i get it
i did a lot of sitting and then
scooching my toddler up on my lap
just do the best you can just be aware
and avoid
lifting with your back only lift with
your legs and ask for
help if you need it
now if you have to do a lot of standing
make sure to focus on
good posture if you are standing in one
place for a long period of time like for
your job
try getting a low stepping stool so you
can rest one foot on it be sure to rest
frequently
and also make sure that your shoes have
good arch supports if you are dealing
with pain you can use
heat or ice packs on your low back to
help alleviate the pain
now i want to point out there are
other things that can cause pain in this
area
besides just the typical aches and pains
of pregnancy
so you could have kidney stones that
could cause back pain a kidney
infections can too
um gallbladder disease can cause pain
that radiates to the back
bladder infections contractions some
people feel contractions
in your back and not in your tummy so if
you are having severe pain or if it's
just
different than what you've been
experiencing before
be sure to talk to your ob to let them
know what's going on don't just make the
assumption that
all pain is just typical pregnancy pain
okay
be sure to be drinking lots of water
because dehydration can cause your
uterus to contract
and we'll be talking about braxton hicks
and contractions
in the next video week 33 so be sure to
hit subscribe
and also hit the notification bell so
you won't miss when that video comes out
also be sure to be doing your kick
counting and if you don't know what that
is
i talked a lot about that in week 8 28
29
and 30. so again if this is your first
time here
i highly recommend that you go back to
some of my earlier second trimester
videos
go check them out they really have a lot
of good information i can't cover
everything in every single video so i
break it up
and talk about what's important and
what's going on each week but check out
some of those earlier videos and i will
actually put a link
to that playlist right here click on
that and i will see you over there
so one more thing that i wanted to point
out most everybody that's been watching
these week by week pregnancy videos are
pregnant which means all the people that
are commenting down below
are going through the exact same things
that you are and one thing that i wasn't
expecting
that has made me so so so so happy is
that
i'm seeing you guys offering support to
one another when you guys
comment about questions or concerns or
just things that you're going through
you guys are all chiming in
and offering support to each other and i
just
i wasn't expecting that and i cannot
tell you
how amazed i am and so i encourage you
guys to continue to do that
to read the comments of other people
going through exactly what you're going
through right now
support each other talk to each other
because you're all here doing this
amazing amazing thing and you guys
can be there for one another so thank
you thank you from the bottom of my
heart
for your support to each other and uh
keep it up their fat cells are now
helping to keep them warm
something cool that we've learned is
that the baby's eyes
can now track light and one of the ways
that we know this
is that their irises will dilate and
contract depending on how much light
they're seeing
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