Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Weeks 30 to 32 of Your Pregnancy: Care Instructions

Your baby is growing more every day. Its eyes can open and close, and it may have hair on its head. Your baby may sleep 20 to 45 minutes at a time and is more active at certain times.

  • You should feel your baby move several times every day. Your baby now turns less and kicks more.

  • This is a good time to tour your hospital or birthing center. You may also want to find childcare if needed.

8 tips for weeks 30 to 32 of pregnancy

  1. To ease heartburn

    • Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse, such as chocolate, spicy foods, and caffeine.
    • Avoid bending over or lying down after meals.
    • Do not eat for 2 hours before bedtime.
    • Take antacids like Tums, but don't take ones that have sodium bicarbonate, magnesium trisilicate, or aspirin.

  3. To care for large, swollen veins (varicose veins)

    • Try to avoid standing for long periods of time.
    • Sit with your feet propped up.
    • Wear support hose.
    • Get some exercise every day, like walking or swimming.

Counting your baby's kicks

Your doctor may ask you to count your baby's movements, such as kicks, flutters, or rolls.

  1. Find a quiet place, and get comfortable. Write down your start time. Count your baby's movements (except hiccups). When your baby has moved 10 times, you can stop counting. Write down how many minutes it took.

  2. If an hour goes by and you don't feel 10 movements, have something to eat or drink. Count for another hour. If you don't feel at least 10 movements in the 2-hour period, call your doctor.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You have severe vaginal bleeding. You have soaked through one or more pads in an hour, and the bleeding is not slowing down.
  • You have sudden, severe pain in your belly that does not go away.
  • You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You have a seizure.
  • You see or feel the umbilical cord.
  • You think you are about to deliver your baby and can't make it safely to the hospital or birthing center.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have vaginal bleeding.
  • You have belly pain.
  • You have a fever.
  • You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
  • You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
    • Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
    • Swelling in your leg or groin.
    • A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish.
  • You have symptoms of preeclampsia, such as:
    • Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
    • New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).
    • A severe headache that will not go away.
  • You have a sudden release or slow trickle of fluid from your vagina. This may mean your water has broken.
  • You've been having regular contractions for an hour. This means that you've had at least 6 contractions within 1 hour, even after you change your position and drink fluids.
  • You notice that your baby has stopped moving or is moving less than normal.
  • You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection. These may include:
    • Pain or burning when you urinate.
    • A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
    • Pain in your low back (below the rib cage and above the waist).
    • Blood in your urine.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You have vaginal discharge that smells bad.
  • You feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
  • You have skin changes, such as a rash, itching, or a yellow color to your skin.
  • You have other concerns about your pregnancy.
© 2006-2026 Healthwise, Incorporated.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.