Read time 3 minutes

Week 32

Support and information from NCT

NCT offers reliable support and information about the various stages of pregnancy, week by week.

Your developing baby

At 32 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 40.5cm long and weighs about 1.6kg. 

Over the next four weeks they will put on about a kilogram of weight as their body fat increases to protect them and regulate their body temperature when they're born. Their skin is smooth and their arms and legs are getting ‘chubby’.

Week 32

Pre-eclampsia in pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that is characterised by high blood pressure and a large amount of protein in the urine. It affects around 1 in 10 pregnant women in the UK and usually happens in the second half of pregnancy or soon after the baby is born.

Most women only experience mild symptoms, but it's important to recognise the condition in case severe symptoms or complications develop.

Doulas

It is becoming increasingly common for women to use a doula in addition to receiving pregnancy care from a midwife. There are also postnatal doulas who will support you at home after the child is born – ‘mothering the mother’ – to help you as you start life with your new baby. 

Whoever you choose to support you when your baby is born, it's important that you feel as relaxed and confident as possible. You can read more about what doulas can do for you on our website.

Placenta praevia

If your 18-21 week scan identified that your placenta’s position was particularly low (a condition called placenta praevia) you will probably have another scan this week to check if it has moved. 

If it hasn’t, you may be advised to rest in bed and asked to spend the last few weeks of pregnancy in hospital. This is because placenta praevia is associated with a higher rate of pregnancy complications, including separation of the placenta, bleeding and reduced growth for the baby.

Checklist

If you are having a home birth, have you got your house ready?

Find out about everything you need on our website.

Further information

NCT offers reliable support and information about the various stages of pregnancy, week by week. Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

 

Related articles

Week 32

Courses & workshops

In-person NCT Antenatal course

Find out more

NCT Antenatal refresher course

Find out more
NCT Membership
Support NCT Charity by becoming a member
Excited couple holding pregnancy test
Sign up to our weekly Pregnancy & Baby Guide