Pregnancy Week 32 - Baby Is Practicing Breathing & Getting Chubby

Your baby is practicing breathing movements more regularly, which strengthens the diaphragm and chest muscles. The lungs are producing increasing amounts of surfactant, which is essential for breathing after birth. Your baby now has real hair (not just lanugo), toenails, and increasingly smooth skin as fat fills out the wrinkles. The skeleton is fully formed but the bones are still soft and flexible. Your baby is gaining about half a pound per week, most of which is fat, muscle, and growing organs.

Your baby is taking up more space, and you may feel increasingly uncomfortable. The top of your uterus is about 5 inches above your belly button. You might experience more heartburn as the baby pushes against your stomach. Frequent urination returns as the baby presses on your bladder. Your blood volume is at its highest, which can cause nosebleeds and bleeding gums. You may notice colostrum leaking from your breasts more frequently.