32 Weeks Pregnant: Baby's Position Matters Now

At 32 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a jicama, measuring around 16.7 inches (42.4 cm) from head to heel and weighing approximately 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg). Around this time, many babies settle into a head-down (vertex) position in preparation for birth, though some won’t turn until closer to delivery.¹

What’s Happening at 32 Weeks Pregnant?

You’re now 8 weeks (about 2 months) from your due date! Week 32 is when your healthcare provider will start paying closer attention to your baby’s position. While babies can change positions throughout pregnancy, most will settle head-down by 36 weeks.²

You’re likely feeling very pregnant now—your belly is large, movement is cumbersome, and third-trimester symptoms may be intense. Your prenatal appointments are every two weeks now, with weekly visits starting around week 36.

Your uterus extends about 5 inches (12 cm) above your belly button, and you’ve likely gained 22-28 pounds if you started at a healthy weight.³

How Big is My Baby at 32 Weeks?

Your baby at 32 weeks is about the size of a jicama (or squash), measuring approximately 16.7 inches (42.4 cm) from crown to heel.⁴

Weight-wise, your baby now weighs around 3.7 pounds (1.7 kilograms). Your baby will continue gaining about half a pound per week through the remainder of pregnancy, reaching approximately 6.5-8 pounds at term.

Baby Development at Week 32

Important maturation continues:

Practicing breathing: Your baby practices breathing movements regularly, which strengthens the diaphragm and prepares the lungs for life outside the womb. These aren’t true breaths—your baby inhales and exhales small amounts of amniotic fluid.⁵

Settling into position: Many babies move into a head-down (cephalic or vertex) position around this time. The head-down position is optimal for vaginal delivery. If your baby is breech (bottom or feet first), there’s still time for them to turn, though your provider may discuss options if they remain breech at 36-37 weeks.⁶

Lungs nearing maturity: Surfactant production continues increasing. While babies born at 32 weeks usually need some respiratory support, their survival rate exceeds 98% with neonatal care.⁷

Fat accumulation: Your baby continues adding fat rapidly, which helps regulate body temperature and provides energy reserves. This fat fills out the skin, making your baby look more like a newborn.

Brain development: The brain is developing billions of neurons and complex folds, increasing processing capacity. Your baby’s brain will continue rapid development through early childhood.

Sleep cycles: Your baby has established regular sleep-wake patterns, spending about 90-95% of the time sleeping. During REM sleep, their eyes move beneath closed lids.

Fingernails reach fingertips: Your baby’s fingernails have grown to the tips of their fingers (and may need trimming soon after birth to prevent scratching).

Digestive system ready: Your baby’s digestive system is mature enough to process breast milk or formula, though the intestines will continue developing after birth.

Immune system development: While still immature at birth, your baby’s immune system is developing. They’ll receive antibodies from you through the placenta and (if breastfeeding) through colostrum and breast milk.⁸

Baby’s Position in the Womb

Around 32 weeks, position becomes an important topic:

Head-down (vertex/cephalic): This is the optimal position for vaginal delivery. The baby’s head is down toward your pelvis, with their back either on the left or right side of your uterus. By 36 weeks, about 95% of babies are head-down.⁹

Breech: The baby’s bottom or feet are positioned toward your pelvis instead of their head. Types include frank breech (bottom first, legs straight up), complete breech (bottom first, legs crossed), and footling breech (one or both feet first). About 3-4% of full-term pregnancies are breech.

Transverse: The baby is lying sideways across your uterus. This position is rare at term and requires cesarean delivery if it persists.

If your baby is breech at 32 weeks, don’t worry—there’s still plenty of time for them to turn. Your provider will monitor position at each appointment and may discuss options like external cephalic version (ECV) if your baby is still breech at 36-37 weeks.

Common Symptoms at 32 Weeks Pregnant

Late pregnancy symptoms can be intense:

Shortness of breath: Your uterus continues pushing upward on your diaphragm. This often improves when your baby drops lower (lightening) in the final weeks.¹⁰

Frequent urination: Constant bathroom trips continue as your baby presses on your bladder.

Heartburn: Often severe in late pregnancy as your stomach is compressed upward.¹¹

Pelvic pressure: As your baby settles lower, you may feel increased pressure in your pelvis.

Braxton Hicks contractions: Practice contractions may be frequent and sometimes uncomfortable but remain irregular.

Back and hip pain: The physical demands of carrying significant weight, combined with relaxin-loosened ligaments, can cause significant pain.

Swelling: Mild edema in feet, ankles, and hands is normal. Severe sudden swelling requires immediate medical attention.

Trouble sleeping: Physical discomfort and anxiety about labor can make sleep elusive.

Numbness and tingling: Carpal tunnel syndrome (hand/wrist numbness) from fluid retention is common and usually resolves after delivery.

Leaking colostrum: Your breasts may leak small amounts of thick, yellowish colostrum.

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your provider immediately for: regular painful contractions, fluid leaking, bleeding, severe headache with vision changes, sudden severe swelling, decreased fetal movement, or severe abdominal pain.

Tips for Week 32

Know your baby’s position: Your provider will check your baby’s position at appointments. You can also sometimes tell by where you feel kicks—under your ribs suggests head-down, while kicks low in your pelvis might indicate breech.

Consider spinning babies techniques: If your baby is breech, some people try positions and exercises thought to encourage babies to turn (though evidence is limited). Always discuss with your provider first.

Continue kick counting: Track your baby’s movements daily. The pattern matters more than the total number—if you notice a significant change, contact your provider.¹²

Prepare your hospital bag: Have it ready by week 36. Include comfortable clothes, toiletries, phone charger, snacks, and items for baby.

Finalize pediatrician selection: Choose your baby’s doctor before delivery. The hospital will need this information.

Install car seat: Don’t wait until the last minute. Install it now and get it inspected.

Practice labor positions: Try squatting, hands and knees, sitting on a birth ball, and side-lying positions.

Attend prenatal classes: If enrolled, you’re likely attending these now. They cover labor stages, pain management, and newborn care.

Rest and conserve energy: Listen to your body. The final weeks are demanding, and you’ll need energy for labor.

Stay active safely: Gentle walks or swimming can help with stamina, mood, and sleep, but don’t overdo it.¹³

Manage heartburn: Eat small frequent meals, avoid triggers, stay upright after eating, and sleep elevated.

Discuss your birth plan: Review your preferences with your provider and support person.

Tracking the Final Stretch with Nooko

Just 8 weeks to go! Nooko helps you track kicks, time contractions, and prepare for labor. Log your baby’s position (once your provider confirms it), monitor movements, and access week-specific information about what’s happening at 32 weeks.

When labor begins, use Nooko’s contraction timer to track timing and intensity, helping you know when to head to the hospital.

Download Nooko on the App Store | Get Nooko on Google Play

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References

Footnotes

1. Cleveland Clinic. (2025). “Fetal Development: Week-by-Week Stages of Pregnancy.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth ↩

2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). “How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy ↩

3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). “Weight Gain During Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/weight-gain-during-pregnancy ↩

4. BabyCenter. (2025). “32 Weeks Pregnant.” https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/32-weeks-pregnant ↩

5. Mayo Clinic. (2024). “Fetal development: The 3rd trimester.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20045997 ↩

6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2024). “If Your Baby Is Breech.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/if-your-baby-is-breech ↩

7. Merck Manual. (2025). “Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns.” https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/lung-and-breathing-problems-in-newborns/respiratory-distress-syndrome-in-newborns ↩

8. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2025). “Development of the Immune System.” https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/human-immune-system/development-immune-system ↩

9. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2024). “If Your Baby Is Breech.” ↩

10. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). “Exercise During Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy ↩

11. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). “Problems of the Digestive System.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/problems-of-the-digestive-system ↩

12. Tommy’s. (2025). “Your baby’s movements in pregnancy.” https://www.tommys.org/ ↩

13. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). “Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period ↩