- WEEK 32 -

ahniér's taking up more & more space in mamas uterus & weighs as much as a large jicama - about 4# & could be up to 19” long - although that's a head-to-toe length, she’s actually back to a curled-up position in preparation for birth [you try standing up in those cramped quarters!] - while she’s still getting nourishment through the umbilical cord, it won't be long before she’ll be getting formula [& soon after, the mashed carrots & peas] - in anticipation of that momentous transition to mouth feeding, ahniér's digestive system’s all set & ready to go & because she’s accumulating more fat, her skin’s finally turning opaque [like yours], which means those see-through days are over
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mama’s likely feeling tapping & squirming instead of ahniér's signature rocking & rolling & that's because, while comfy, she’s a bit tight for exercise space right now - she’s also probably settled into the head-down, bottoms-up position in mama’s pelvis in preparation for birth & that's because her head fits better at the bottom of mama’s inverted, pear-shaped uterus - it also makes it easier during childbirth if ahniér comes out head first as fewer than 5% of babies prefer the bottom-down [or breech] position by full-term - don't worry if she hasn't assumed the head-down position yet as there's still a good chance she’ll flip head-side-down before birth, even in the tight confines of mama’s uterus - though weeks away from D-day, she's looking more & more like a newborn & speaking of that big day, hope you're resting up for it, because ahniér certainly is - in preparation for that big entrance, she’s sleeping like a baby, with sleep cycles of 20 - 40 minutes long [which would also account for the decrease in movement mama’s likely feeling these days] - she sleeps approximately 90–95% of the day now, much like she will after she’s born - her skin’s become thicker & she continues to gain more of a pinkish color - ahniér's movements will peak this week & from now on they’ll change in quantity & quality - most of the wrinkles are disappearing from her face & there may be a lot of hair on her head
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in the latest womb reports, ahniér’s now developed sensitivity to temperature! - this means mama will probably get a swift kick if she puts a hot pad on her ginormous belly - for the elton john lovers out there, yes, the baby’s got blue eyes - at this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth [or even between now & labor], but for the time being, blue it is - thanks to their recently matured lungs & a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births, so it’s pretty much a done deal - even if ahniér’s planning on heading out early, her survival odds are in everyone’s favor – so, is it time to celebrate?? - no, no, wait until after the birth!

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all ahniér's toenails & fingernails have grown in & are looking just as they will at delivery - with mama's uterus pushing up near her diaphragm & putting pressure on her abdomen, she's now dealing with heartburn more often & feeling a little short of breath