The 32 Week Scoop

I'm working from home today to try to keep things on an even keel. I'm still hopeful my laptop will be ready and I will be better able to work from home and be productive. Monday is an all day meeting for me, but I should be able to get home by 3.30 and rest and relax before prenatal class. Spending time on the couch with my feet up definitely helps with the swelling. The doctor yesterday also gave me a prescription for heartburn medicine to take twice a day to prevent heartburn. I'm pretty happy with that. :)

I definitely have trouble getting off the couch by myself and find that at work I need to sit down where I used to be able to stand and talk to people for fairly long periods of time. Having a footstool at home for when I am sitting to the kitchen table makes a huge difference. The kids have adjusted to it being stored under the table. Nik likes to look at things when I am cooking and he now knows to duck under the table to get the footstool. And he's pretty good at putting it back when he is done!

Here's the scoop on 32 weeks:
http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-32-weeks_1121.bc
How your baby's growing:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.
You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back.
Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_32.htm
How Big is the Baby at 32 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby continues to put on weight during pregnancy at 32 weeks, and is now almost 4 pounds. By 32 weeks pregnant your baby is also just under 19 inches long.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
By 32 weeks pregnant your baby now has toenails and fingernails to complement her frame, though it will probably be a while before your baby requires an official pedicure or manicure.
Your baby continues to grow strong and put on weight during pregnancy at 32 weeks and in the upcoming weeks.

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy 32 weeks the total volume of blood circulating in your body is about 40 to 50 percent higher than it was before you became pregnant. This added blood volume helps accommodate your fetus. You are probably still gaining about one pound per week during pregnancy 32 weeks. Some women find they are experiencing more shortness of breath at this time during their pregnancy. Be sure you avoid overexertion and take time to rest during the day.
You might start experiencing pain in your buttocks and lower back among other places by pregnancy week 32 as your center of gravity shifts. Take care when walking to avoid unnecessary falls or slips!

Changes in You
If you are having twins, during pregnancy week 32 your uterus would probably be the same size it would be at 40 weeks in a singleton pregnancy! In a single pregnancy the uterus typically measures about 5 inches above the belly button now. The increasing size of your uterus can contribute to heartburn and indigestion as well as a sense of breathlessness during pregnancy.
At this point you should make an effort to drink lots of water as you continue your pregnancy week by week and consume foods high in fiber to help combat constipation, which is typically during late pregnancy. As you continue to grow your hips will start to expand and your ligaments will stretch to help prepare your body for labor.