At the third trimester of pregnancy, 32 weeks pregnant mothers would expect about 1 to 1.5 pounds weight gain per week.  Throughout the pregnancy cycle, an average woman should gain an additional twenty five to thirty five pounds weight gain. For those women who are underweight, the weight gain would be about twenty eight to forty pounds. For overweight mothers, the weight gain should be around fifteen to twenty five pounds. To keep track of the weight gain week by week, you can have a diary and record down the weight gains each week.  For specific healthy weight gains for pregnant ladies you should consult your health care expert, be sure to ask them if your weight and diet is on the right track for pregnancy.

For many first time 32 weeks pregnant mothers, they tend to worry about weight gain issues throughout their pregnancy. It is often misunderstood that pregnant mothers should eat extra portion of meal just for the baby inside you, however this is not necessary. Health care experts have advised to “eat right and not eat more”.  This means you need the extra calories from the right type of food- those which are filled with nutrients and vitamins. It should be noted that all food must be taken in moderation for all pregnant mothers. Health care experts have also advised against eating oily, salty and food that is high in sugar level. Remember, a balanced diet is the key to having a healthy baby!

Being 32 weeks pregnant, any physical exertions will be tiring, even moving around can prove to be challenging. Thus, a comfortable night of sleep is essential to you. Tossing around in bed and insomnia for pregnant mothers may be common for you. It is possible to enhance your sleep experience even when you feel your belly is bulky and heavy. For sleep positions, general lying-by-side positions are widely recommended by health professionals all over the world. This is because this position provides the least amount of pressure against your diaphragms while you sleep. Most of the weight of your baby will be supported by your bed. Lying on the front is strictly discouraged as the pressure will be tremendous on your chest and stomach. It would also cause discomfort during sleeping. Worse, it would even endanger your 32 weeks baby! Doctors also advised not to have spicy and oily food before you sleep as it can cause gastric discomfort to some pregnant mothers. For coping of insomnia, there are certain techniques and methods that you can adopt.

Drink a warm glass of milk (served by your partner!) half an hour before sleep. This is proven to be beneficial for a night of good sleep. Besides, it can be your source of daily diet requirements for calcium. Choose a low-fat milk if you are weight-conscious too.

Listen to soft, classical or relaxing music about 15 minutes to 30 minutes before you sleep. This will help you relax yourself after a day of adventure with your baby. Your baby will appreciate the music too!

Heartburn and shortness of breath: As the weight of uterus increases along with the weight your baby, you will feel frequent bouts of breathlessness. This can easily be relieved by switching positions from sitting to standing or standing to lying down. Drinking warm water helps too. Shortness of breath generally is nothing to worry about unless you have a history of asthma.

Back pain: The weight of the baby gets heavier as your weeks of pregnancy increases, stuff a few pillows at the back for some added comfort and practicing good posture goes a long way. Try not to carry heavy items on your own as it can worsen the pain. As with other muscular pains and soreness, heat pads can help relax the muscles and eradicate the pain. You can also ask your partner to give you a good back massage to enhance the blood flow around the lower back area to relieve the pain.

Bloatedness and flatulence: It is often encouraged for most 32 weeks pregnant mothers to have six to seven small meals a day as opposed to having three large meals in a day. To reduce on the gassy feeling or bloatedness, avoid drinking gassy drinks and oily food, especially before sleep.

Nausea and morning sickness: While not uncommon to feel the morning sickness all over again during the last trimester, it is still important to replenish all the fluids lost. Keep hydrating. Have smaller meals a day. If you are very prone to puking, having a warm ginger tea can curb the sensation of vomiting. Sucking on lollipops helps too! Visit your doctor if you are feeling extreme nauseous to rule out certain medical conditions.  An anti-emetic drug, Zofran is usually prescribed for nausea.

Leg cramps: Sudden shooting pains can happen at the calf area or anywhere in the legs. Though the medical reasons as to why they happen are unclear, there are certain ways to relieve the pain. Never stay in one particular position for too long as the blood flow might get restricted and thus the pain. Exercises like brisk walking helps to strengthen your leg muscles and increases blood circulation. Always stretch your calf muscles and thighs a few times a day and before you sleep to loosen the tight and calf muscles. This reduces the chances of getting cramps in the day and during sleep. Massage your calf muscles and apply heat pads on the affected areas helps a lot too.

Rashes: As your skin expands, stretch marks might appear around your belly area and if they might irritate your skin. If you have a dry skin condition, you should apply lots of moisturizers to the areas. If all else fails, you might suffering from a common skill condition called PUPPP (Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy). While it is generally harmless, it can be a nightmare to first time pregnant mothers as the itch may get unbearable and bothersome. Topical steroids creams and anti-histamines medicines are usually prescribed to curb the symptoms and relieve the itch.

Constipation: This is by far the most common symptoms for all mothers in 32 weeks of pregnancy. The enlarged uterus compresses your bowels, slowing down digestion and complicates bowel movements. Drink lots of water and consume meals rich in fiber to relieve constipation.  Fruit muffins made with corn bran is a rich source of dietary fiber. Otherwise,  fruit mix yoghurts or fruits like banana is a good choice too.

Congratulations! You have reached the 32 weeks of pregnancy. Once you are 32 weeks pregnant, you will notice the baby becoming bigger and heavier. At this stage, the finger and toe nails of the baby will have grown. The baby will show signs of development by kicking you! The head of the baby will be tilted down, body curled up, getting ready for childbirth. Believe it or not, your baby’s eyes have developed and can open and close his/her eyes fully. They will even respond to light! This is also when you can have your husband and family to start interacting to your baby. Don’t be surprised if the baby reply by rumbling inside your uterus! At the third trimester (and the last!) of pregnancy, it is important for those of you who are experiencing backaches and butt soreness to have a good posture wherever you go. Remember to keep your postures straight. Do not slouch, sit straight, stand straight and walk straight. Be very careful when traveling climbing up the staircase or even walking while being pregnant. A 32 weeks old baby would mean an extra weight of 3.5 pounds! Avoid slippery areas and uneven ground even if you are accompanied by your husband. When sitting on chairs, putting an extra cushion under the butt or behind the back will relieve most of the aches and soreness.