Week 32

What’s happening this week

You…

• may have difficulty sleeping
• may notice more Braxton Hicks contractions
• may still be absent minded
• could start to get more anxious about the approaching birth.

Your baby…

• can see and hear
• may seem to squirm rather than kick you now – he’s got less space to move around in
• has dreams – at least, scans have shown that babies at this stage have similar patterns to dream sleep as adults – but no-one knows what they dream about!

It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for what may happen in labour and immediately after the birth. Your LMC may run through an antenatal feeding checklist and your birth plan with you about now to make sure you have a chance to talk about anything you want to.

Packing your bag for hospital: checklist

If you’re going to a maternity unit, it’s a good idea to pack two bags, one for labour and the other for afterwards.Here’s our suggestions for what to put in them:

Labour

• Baggy T shirt or large shirt (one of your partner’s?) to wear in labour
• Warm socks and a cardigan (some women suddenly feel chilly when they’re in strong labour)
• Hairbrush
• Hair bands to keep your hair off your face
• High-energy snacks for you and your labour partner (sandwiches, bananas, nuts)
• Fruit drinks for both of you
• Magazines, jigsaws, games (for early first stage)
• Camera and film
• Music - CD player/Mp3

Afterwards (second bag)

• Cotton nightie, pyjamas and light dressing gown (postnatal wards are hot)
• Wash bag with make-up, deodorant, brush
• Large-size maternity pads
• Nursing bra and breast pads
• Nappies and clothes for your baby
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Face cloth
• Lipsalve
• Unscented massage oil (baby needs mother to smell like mother when he’s born!)
• Coins for phone
• Books/magazines

Having another ‘growth’ scan?

You may be asked to come for an extra scan if:

• you are diabetic
• have had a lot of sickness during your pregnancy
• have a medical condition
• are a heavy smoker
• are expecting twins
• the height of your uterus does not seem to correspond with the number of weeks you are pregnant.

It’s to check that all is fine and to make sure your baby’s still growing well.

Your labour partner

Some women don’t want their partner with them – they may feel he’s needed more at home looking after older children, or they may want to feel able to shout and scream as much as they like in labour with another woman who understands just how they feel!

Others want the baby’s father to be with them throughout the whole experience. It’s worth talking things through with your partner. Some fathers know they want to be there, others are not really sure. If your partner wants to opt out and pace the corridor, think about who else you would like to be with you.Perhaps your mother or your sister? How about a close friend?

Of course you will have a LMC with you during labour but it’s worthwhile having someone else with you who can hold your hands, rub your back and remind you why you are doing all this!

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