Week 32 of Your Pregnancy

You must be so big by now that it takes some effort getting comfy in bed! By week 32, most of your baby’s body systems are formed, functioning and ready for life outside the womb. Find out why Vitamin D is important for the rest of your pregnancy.

Woohoo! You’re into your 8^th month of pregnancy and can’t wait to meet your tiny person. This week, your baby measures 29cm and weighs 1.8kg¹. The majority of baby’s body systems are formed and functioning as well². Whenever your baby is awake, for instance, it may explore its new ability to turn its head from side to side¹ ! 

While your baby’s lungs have some developing to do, breathing amniotic fluid² helps to strengthen them in preparation for their first breath of air1. By week 32, some babies will be in a head-down position (known as cephalic presentation), ready for birth. If your baby is still enjoying a head-up or transverse (horizontal) position, fret not as there’s plenty of time to turn³.

Planning for Your Maternity Leave

If you are a working mum in Singapore, you will be entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave if you meet the following requirements: (MOM) 

• Your child is a Singapore citizen
• You are legally married to the child’s father
• You have served your employer for at least 3 months before baby’s here

The first thing to do is to work with your employer on a maternity leave plan. The first 8 weeks must be taken in one continuous stretch. You may then stretch the last 8 weeks of leave over 12 months from bubba’s birth. (MOM) For instance, instead of taking the last 8 weeks of leave in one block, you can take Mondays and Fridays off. 

In addition, if you are feeling generous, you may share up to 4 weeks of your 16 weeks of maternity leave with your husband! (MOM) Your husband may also entitled up to 2 weeks of paternity leave. (MOM)

Vitamin D: A Key Ingredient for Future Bone Health

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because it is produced in our skin whenever we are in the sun! (Healthline) Vitamin D is crucial in your third trimester as it regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body – these are essential for bone development^4,5. Besides protecting and helping baby build its bones, the Vitamin D you consume now will also support your baby in its first few months after birth. 

Unfortunately, a lack of Vitamin D can cause a baby’s bones to soften, which can lead to a condition known as rickets⁶.

What Should I Do?

It can be hard to get enough Vitamin D through sun exposure alone. Chew on to these Vitamin D-rich foods to increase your intake⁷! 

• Oily fish, including herring, mackerel, sardines, salmon or trout (limit to 2 portions per week as oily fish can contain toxins which can be harmful to your developing baby).
• Eggs — the yolk contains vitamin D
• Fortified foods — some brands of milk, and breakfast cereals, margarines and low-fat spreads have added vitamin D

Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to check your Vitamin D levels regularly. If necessary, take a supplement of 10mcg of Vitamin D each day. If you are planning to breastfeed your baby, continue taking this supplement even after your baby is born⁸!