Questions answered by Doctor Vu Duy Thai - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital
Hello doctor, I am currently 32 weeks pregnant. After an ultrasound, the doctor concluded that the fetus weighs 1.6 kg. Could you please tell me if this weight means the baby is underweight? How much should a 32-week fetus weigh to meet the standard? Thank you!
Thu Huyen (25 years old, Hoai Duc, Hanoi)
Answer:
Hello Thu Huyen, your question “What is the standard weight for a 32 week fetus?” has been sent to Master, Doctor Vu Duy Thai, obstetrician and gynecologist, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital. Below is Doctor Thai's answer to your question.
A fetus entering week 32 weighs between 1600 and 1800 grams. The length of the fetus at this time is about 41 to 43 cm. This size of the baby is equivalent to a pumpkin.
This length and weight index can also fluctuate a little higher or lower. Therefore, Thu Huyen went for an ultrasound and the baby weighed 1.6 kg, the baby is considered to be developing normally. You do not need to worry about your baby being underweight anymore.
In addition, at 32 weeks onwards, the baby will gain about 230 to 250 grams per week. At the same time, the pregnant mother also gains weight quite quickly. Therefore, Thu Huyen and other pregnant mothers should also be careful, have a reasonable diet and rest so that both mother and baby are healthy.
1. The development of a 32-week fetus that pregnant mothers should pay attention to
In addition to the reasonable weight of a 32-week fetus, Dr. Thai also pointed out the characteristics of a 32-week fetus that pregnant mothers should pay attention to as follows:
• From week 32, the amount of amniotic fluid in the mother's uterus tends to decrease gradually, so the fetus will no longer float freely in the uterus as before but will lie more neatly and firmly.
• The layer of fat under the baby's skin develops more, helping the baby's skin to be less wrinkled. The fine hair on the baby's body also begins to fall out gradually, while the baby's eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair will grow more. At this time, if you have a 4D ultrasound, parents can see a relatively sharp and clear image of their baby.
• A 32-week fetus knows how to regulate the pupil, open and close the eyes.
• The baby's nervous, excretory, and digestive systems continue to develop and mature. Except for the skull, the fetus's skeletal system is also relatively stronger.
• The baby's fingernails and toenails grow faster and stronger.
Pregnant mothers should note that at this time, you also begin to feel heavier and more tired. Many pregnant mothers also experience leg swelling (blood loss in the legs), cramps, shortness of breath and the beginning of colostrum.
Trắc nghiệm: Bạn có hiểu đúng về dấu hiệu mang thai sớm?
Các dấu hiệu mang thai sớm không phải chỉ mỗi trễ kinh mà còn có rất nhiều dấu hiệu khác như xuất huyết âm đạo, ngực căng tức,… Điểm xem bạn biết được bao nhiêu dấu hiệu mang thai sớm thông qua bài trắc nghiệm này nhé!
2. What should pregnant mothers do to help their 32-week-old fetus develop well?
Dear Thu Huyen, to help your 32-week-old fetus develop well and reach the standard height and weight, you should pay attention to the following:
- Maintain a reasonable and balanced diet: Pregnant mothers should eat a full, balanced diet of protein, starch, and fiber. In addition, you need to limit fast food, sweets, spicy foods, and drinks with stimulants such as alcohol, coffee, etc.
- Supplement vitamins, calcium, iron, folic acid, etc. according to your doctor's advice. These are all important nutrients for both mother and baby. However, pregnant women should not use it on their own but should consult a specialist for the most appropriate dosage.
- Drink plenty of water every day to facilitate metabolism.
- Exercise and do light physical activities as advised by your doctor to improve the health of both mother and baby.
Monitoring the weight of the fetus throughout pregnancy is very important, especially in the last 3 months. It not only helps assess the baby's development but also helps the doctor predict possible risks during birth. In addition, this is also the time when pregnant women are very likely to give birth prematurely if they do not have a suitable rest and care regimen, especially pregnant women over 35 years old, with a history of miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth. Therefore, at this stage, you should have regular prenatal check-ups.
To protect the health of mother and baby comprehensively as well as help mothers feel more secure during labor, Vinmec provides a comprehensive Maternity service. With this package, the mother will receive regular prenatal checkups and routine tests to monitor her health. The fetus's heart rate and uterine contractions will be monitored by an obstetric monitor at 37-40 weeks of pregnancy to determine the exact time of birth. If the baby is born prematurely, he or she will be cared for and raised according to international standards. All premature births are organized systematically under the coordination of many specialties: obstetrics, anesthesia, and especially neonatology and pediatrics. This helps to limit risks and increase the effectiveness of treatment for health problems that premature babies may encounter.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
