How much should baby weight at 32 weeks

Fetus size by week: Your baby's weight throughout pregnancy

Find out how big your baby is during each week of their development with our fetal growth chart. From early in pregnancy, babies grow at different rates, so your baby's actual size by week may vary substantially – but look how they grow! At 20 weeks your baby may be just over 10 inches long and weigh less than 12 ounces, but by 32 weeks they'll reach almost 17 inches and top 4 pounds. At 33 weeks they may be over 17 inches and closer to 5 pounds, and by 37 weeks they'll reach 19 inches and about 6.5 pounds.

How do you determine fetus size by week?

There are different methods for estimating how big a fetus is, which is why you'll find different numbers depending on the source.

Experts have formulas they use to come up with the estimated fetal weight (EFW) and height of a fetus, and the formulas aren't always the same. The measurements that are used in equations to estimate weight usually include biparietal (head) diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur (thigh bone) length (FL).

Height is a straightforward measurement, but the method of measuring it changes after the first trimester. For the first 13 weeks, the height measurement is taken from the top of the head to the baby's bottom. After the first 13 weeks, the measurement is taken from the top of the head to the baby's heel – explaining why, on the chart below, your baby appears to grow 3 inches from week 13 to week 14!

Hadlock, the main source we use in our fetal growth chart, provides one of the most commonly used – and most accurate – equations for estimating fetal height and weight. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine (SMFM) use Hadlock's figures to diagnose and manage fetal growth conditions, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

The numbers on our chart should coincide with the numbers your healthcare provider will be checking against when they measure your baby using ultrasound. (Providers don't measure height after 13 weeks, however, so don't expect to get those numbers at your ultrasound appointments. )

Note that the data used by Hadlock was gathered from middle-class Caucasian women with no history of maternal diseases known to affect fetal growth and no evidence of congenital anomalies. Your provider may make adjustments based on your individual circumstances.

Fetal growth chart

Wondering how big your baby is during each week of pregnancy? The numbers in our chart below can give you a sense of your baby's size. Keep in mind that your baby may be much smaller or larger than these averages. That's okay – after all, healthy babies can weigh less than 5 pounds or more than 9 pounds at birth.

Boy's measurements are different than girl's measurements, even this early. For the numbers on our chart, we've taken an average of boys and girls. And remember, the height measurements up to 13 weeks are head-to-bottom estimates, while the height measurements starting at week 14 are head-to-toe estimates.

Gestational age	Length (US)	Weight (US)	Length (cm)	Mass (g)
	(head to bottom)		(head to bottom)
8 weeks	0. 62 inches	0.71 ounces	1.57 cm	20 grams
9 weeks	0.91 inches	0.95 ounces	2.30 cm	27 grams
10 weeks	1.22 inch	1.23 ounces	3.1 cm	35 grams
11 weeks	1.61 inch	1.59 ounces	4.1 cm	45 grams
12 weeks	2.13 inches	2.05 ounces	5.4 cm	58 grams
13 weeks	2.64 inches	2.58 ounces	6.7 cm	73 grams
	(head to toe)		(head to toe)
14 weeks	5.79 inches	3.28 ounces	14.7cm	93 grams
15 weeks	6.57 inches	4.13 ounces	16.7 cm	117 grams
16 weeks	7. 32 inches	5.15 ounces	18.6 cm	146 grams
17 weeks	8.03 inches	6.38 ounces	20.4 cm	181 grams
18 weeks	8.74 inches	7.87 ounces	22.2 cm	223 grams
19 weeks	9.45 inches	9.63 ounces	24.0 cm	273 grams
20 weeks	10.12 inches	11.68 ounces	25.7 cm	331 grams
21 weeks	10.79 inches	14.07 ounces	27.4 cm	399 grams
22 weeks	11.42 inches	1.05 pounds	29.0 cm	478 grams
23 weeks	12.05 inches	1.25 pounds	30.6 cm	568 grams
24 weeks	12.68 inches	1. 48 pounds	32.2 cm	670 grams
25 weeks	13.27 inches	1.73 pounds	33.7 cm	785 grams
26 weeks	13.82 inches	2.01 pounds	35.1 cm	913 grams
27 weeks	14.41 inches	2.33 pounds	36.6 cm	1055 grams
28 weeks	14.80 inches	2.67 pounds	37.6 cm	1210 grams
29 weeks	15.47 inches	3.04 pounds	39.3 cm	1379 grams
30 weeks	15.95 inches	3.44 pounds	40.5 cm	1559 grams
31 weeks	16.46 inches	3.86 pounds	41.8 cm	1751 grams
32 weeks	16.93 inches	4.30 pounds	43. 0 cm	1953 grams
33 weeks	17.36 inches	4.77 pounds	44.1 cm	2162 grams
34 weeks	17.84 inches	5.24 pounds	45.3 cm	2377 grams
35 weeks	18.23 inches	5.72 pounds	46.3 cm	2595 grams
36 weeks	18.62 inches	6.20 pounds	47.3 cm	2813 grams
37 weeks	19.02 inches	6.68 pounds	48.3 cm	3028 grams
38 weeks	19.41 inches	7.13 pounds	49.3 cm	3236 grams
39 weeks	19.72 inches	7.57 pounds	50.1 cm	3435 grams
40 weeks	20.08 inches	7.98 pounds	51.0 cm	3619 grams
41 weeks	20. 39 inches	8.35 pounds	51.8 cm	3787 grams

Thanks to Dr. Mark Curran, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, for his help preparing this chart.

Fetal weight by week: How it changes

Your baby steadily gains weight over the course of your pregnancy, but it's not always at the same rate. If you're having one baby (not twins or multiples), your baby's rate of growth accelerates until 35 weeks, then decelerates.

Here are some highlights, based on estimations:

Up until 16 weeks, a fetus grows an average of about 19 grams per week, gradually increasing from 7 grams per week at 8 weeks to 15 grams per week at 12 weeks and 29 grams per week at 16 weeks.
By 20 weeks, a fetus is gaining about 59 grams per week (just over 2 ounces).
By 30 weeks, a fetus is gaining about 175 grams each week (more than 6 ounces).
At 35 weeks, a fetus is gaining about 215 grams each week, or about 7.5 ounces. At this point their growth rate peaks.
After 35 weeks, growth slows to about 188 grams per week, or 6.6 ounces. (Twins slow earlier, at around 28 weeks, and then average about 170 grams each week.)
In the last few weeks of pregnancy, the growth rate continues to gradually slow to about 168 grams (a little less than 6 ounces) per week by week 40.

Using a tape measure stretched over your belly, your provider will use a fundal height measurement to check your baby's size at your prenatal visits. Beginning at about 24 weeks, the measurement in centimeters should roughly match the gestational age of your baby. If you're 26 weeks pregnant, for example, your fundal height should be about 26 cm, give or take a centimeter in each direction.

If your provider is concerned that your baby is too small, they'll monitor your baby's size with ultrasound, which is more accurate. Using ultrasound, your practitioner can take various measurements (head circumference and diameter, abdomen circumference, femur length) and use them to estimate your baby's size. They may also use a Doppler ultrasound to look at the blood flow to your placenta.

If your baby's estimated weight is less than the 10th percentile for their gestational age, they may be diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also called fetal growth restriction (FGR). IUGR can happen at any time during pregnancy. Some babies with IUGR just turn out to be small for their age, but sometimes there's a problem that's preventing the baby from growing properly.

At birth, a baby with IUGR is called "small for gestational age." While most SGA babies who are otherwise healthy grow just fine, some (especially those born prematurely) are at higher risk of problems such as c-section, jaundice, low blood sugar, and even long-term developmental and health problems.

Your baby's size by week

Here are some highlights of your baby's growth during pregnancy:

At 20 weeks, about the midpoint in your pregnancy, your baby is transmitting taste signals to their brain. And you may feel them hiccupping. Your baby's weight at 20 weeks is about 11.68 ounces, and they're about the length of a (10.12-inch) banana.

At 32 weeks, your baby's lungs are developing fast, and your baby's storing minerals like iron for their first 6 months of life. Your baby's weight at 32 weeks is 4.30 pounds, and their length is 16.93 inches, about the size of a jicama.

At 33 weeks, things are getting snug in there! Your baby's skin is becoming less wrinkled as they fill in – your baby's weight at 33 weeks is about 4.77 pounds. At 17.36 inches, your baby is now about the size of a pineapple.

At 37 weeks, your baby's brain and lungs are still maturing, and they're still moving a lot, despite the close quarters. Your baby's weight at 37 weeks is about 6.68 pounds, and they're about the length of a bunch of Swiss chard, 19.02 inches.

Once your baby is born, they'll be weighed and measured, and your provider will continue to monitor their growth. While the average newborn weight is a little over 7 pounds, most newborns lose about 5 to 10 percent of their weight in the first days. No worries – they gain it back by the time they're about 2 weeks old, and by 4 months they usually double their birth weight.

Learn more:

To-do lists for the first, second, and third trimesters
Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator
How to understand pregnancy weeks, months, and trimesters

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Fetal Chart from Baby My Baby

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(crown to rump measurements)

Gestational Age	Length (inches)	Weight (oz/lb)	Length (cm)	Mass (g)
8 weeks	0.63	0.04 oz	1.6	1
9 weeks	.9	0.07 oz	2.3	2
10 weeks	1.22	0.14 oz	3.1	4
11 weeks	1. 61	0.25 oz	4.1	7
12 weeks	2.13	0.49 oz	5.4	14
13 weeks	2.19	0.81 oz	7.4	23
14 weeks	3.42	1.52 oz	8.7	43
15 weeks	3.98	2.47 oz	10.1	70
16 weeks	4.57	3.53 oz	11.6	100
17 weeks	5.12	4.94 oz	13	140
18 weeks	5.59	6.70 oz	14.2	190
19 weeks	6.02	8.47 oz	15.3	240
20 weeks	6.46	10.58 oz	16.4	300
21 weeks	10.51	12.70 oz	26.7	360
22 weeks	10.94	15.17 oz	27.8	430
23 weeks	11. 38	1.10 lb	28.9	501
24 weeks	11.81	1.32 lb	30	600
25 weeks	13.62	1.46 lb	34.6	660
26 weeks	14.02	1.68 lb	35.6	760
27 weeks	14.41	1.93 lb	36.6	875
28 weeks	14.80	2.22 lb	37.6	1005
29 weeks	15.2	2.54 lb	38.6	1153
30 weeks	15.71	2.91 lb	39.9	1319
31 weeks	16.18	3.31 lb	41.1	1502
32 weeks	16.19	3.75 lb	42.4	1702
33 weeks	17.20	4.23 lb	43.7	1918
34 weeks	17.72	4.73 lb	45	2146
35 weeks	18. 19	5.25 lb	46.2	2383
36 weeks	18.66	5.78 lb	47.4	2622
37 weeks	19.13	6.30 lb	48.6	2859
38 weeks	19.61	6.80 lb	49.8	3083
39 weeks	19.96	7.25 lb	50.7	3288
40 weeks	20.16	7.63 lb	51.2	3462
41 weeks	20.35	7.93 lb	51.7	3597
42 weeks	20.28	8.12 lb	51.5	3685
43 weeks	20.20	8.19 lb	51.3	3717

English

32 weeks of pregnancy what happens to the fetus

Contents

Signs that the baby will be born soon are already obvious at the 32nd week of pregnancy. At this time, the child takes the position for childbirth, usually head down, but there are other presentations. Mom and baby have most of the journey before birth behind them. A woman during this period feels how strong the connection she has with the baby.

Development and growth of a child

Almost all systems and organs are formed, the further task of a small organism is to grow stronger and continue to grow. At the 32nd week of pregnancy, the fetus weighs 1600 - 1900 g, and its length reaches about 40 - 45 cm. If the mother is expecting twins, their height will be slightly less - about 35 - 38 cm, and the weight is less than one and a half kg for each fetus.

Interesting! The size of each newborn is individual. Their height and weight depend on several factors: the parameters of the parents, the nutrition and diet of the mother throughout the pregnancy.

At this time, the fetus already becomes a real little man, with proportional body parts and facial features. He even has chubby cheeks. The skin brightens, becomes elastic, the number of folds and wrinkles decreases. There are other changes in the development of the baby:

Since the fatty layer is formed and protects the fetus well, there is no need for vellus hairs, they fall out.
The volume of the brain is 75% of the brain of an adult. But the size of the head still predominates in relation to the whole body. The child's brain continues to develop. And thanks to its parameters, the baby can move to the position of the head to exit the uterus, preparing for birth.
The most active work on the 32nd week of the immune system. It produces antibodies that will serve as a reliable protection for a small person immediately after his birth. nine0018
The bones of the whole body are strengthened, but the bones of the skull are more plastic, as the child has a difficult road through the birth canal.
The kidneys and liver function at full capacity and are able to remove harmful elements from the body.

The child not only hears the sounds and feels the mother's mood, but also analyzes what is happening, expressing his opinion in jerks. He becomes cramped in such a previously cozy space, so the movements become more tangible for mom. Within an hour, the fetus changes its position about 5-6 times. nine0003

Important! If the baby does not turn head down, the doctor will definitely see this on an ultrasound scan and give recommendations. Special exercises that a woman must perform daily will help the child to take the correct position, the most optimal for childbirth.

Feelings and well-being of the mother

The figure of a woman by the 32nd week of pregnancy changes greatly. The protruding belly presses on the diaphragm, so the mother experiences back pain, she often has heartburn and shortness of breath. By this time, a woman can gain about 10 kg, but weight gain depends on BMI. nine0003

Important! Keeping track of weight and controlling kilograms is a must. A woman should gain no more than 500 g per week. Therefore, her diet should include all the foods necessary for the growth of the child and her body, but nothing more.

Many mothers suffer from swelling, fatigue and heavy legs. Varicose veins are also not uncommon during this period. It is necessary to control the drinking regime. Special elastic stockings will help to cope with the problem. During the day, a woman should rest with her feet on a raised platform. nine0003

There is such a thing as “training bouts”. The stomach at this time becomes stony, and the uterus is in good shape. This phenomenon is short-lived, you should not be afraid of it. Thus, the mother's body prepares for future childbirth. But if there are severe prolonged pain, spasms and / or amniotic fluid comes out, you should immediately call an ambulance. This means that the birth process began ahead of time.

Baby's pushes become more active and sensitive. If the mother is calm, then the child does not disturb her much. When a woman is irritable and nervous, the child feels it and reacts to her mood. nine0003

Tests and examinations

Planned ultrasound, the third in a row, falls exactly on the 32nd week of pregnancy. During this period, visits to the doctor should be at least once every 2 weeks. Doctor's examination includes the following actions:

Determining the baby's heartbeat, its weight;
Measurement of blood pressure and body weight of the mother;
Determination of uterine tone;
Measurement of the volume of the abdomen of a woman;

Using ultrasound, the doctor finds out in what position the child is. Using special formulas, he finds out the circumference of the head, abdomen and chest of the baby, the length of the hips. On ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor determines the correct development of the fetus and states the absence of genetic abnormalities. Also, the doctor will find out if the amount of amniotic fluid, the tone of the uterus and the degree of maturation of the placenta are normal. nine0003

Important! In case of any deviations from the norm, the woman will be offered hospitalization. In order not to risk your health and your baby, the doctor's recommendations must be followed thoroughly.

29-32 weeks of pregnancy

29th week

Baby

At the 29th week of pregnancy, the baby continues to accumulate fat under the skin, folds and wrinkles are smoothed out, and, as a result, the skin becomes smoother. The body is still completely covered with vellus hair, the amount of which is sharply reduced at this stage. But on the head, hair growth is activated. They become denser, darker and grow back quickly. In the womb, the baby often blinks, moves less actively, the movements become less intense and frequent, but smoother. There is less and less space left in the uterus, so the child is most often in the same position, spreading his limbs, exposing his head and pelvic end. His height by this week is 36-37 cm, and his weight is 1,200-1,300 g. At this time, the child takes a head presentation, since his head is heavier than his buttocks. But it is not uncommon for cases when in the body of water at 29week the baby is still in the breech presentation. The expectant mother should not worry about this, because there are still a few weeks for the child to take the correct position. Otherwise, breech presentation will be one of the good reasons for choosing a method of delivery.

Expectant mother

Women at the 29th week of their pregnancy still experience discomfort as the uterus continues to grow rapidly. This is especially felt by the organs that are located next to it - the bladder, stomach, and also the lower part of the large intestine. As the uterus grows, they move and occupy a rather uncomfortable position, which can affect their work in the future. That is why at this time women often complain of a feeling of heaviness after eating, suffer from heartburn. Heartburn occurs as a consequence of throwing stomach contents into the esophagus and is manifested by an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, as well as a burning sensation inside. During pregnancy, the muscles that separate the esophagus from the stomach become highly hormonal and relax. This creates such a situation. The rebuilt position of the stomach only worsens the situation. It is impossible to completely get rid of this condition. Of course, after childbirth, this problem will be solved by itself, but in order to somehow help herself, a woman should eat often, but in small portions. It is important that you chew your food thoroughly. These simple rules will help reduce the risk of heartburn after eating. nine0003

In addition, on the 29th week, expectant mothers notice frequent urination, which in most cases will accompany them until the very birth. Frequent urges are due to rapidly progressive pressure on the bladder. False urges are also not uncommon during this period. These are situations when the bladder is not yet full, but the brain has already sent a signal to urinate. In such cases, urination does not occur at all or passes in a minimal amount. During pregnancy, frequent and completely painless urination is not a sign of any disease. However, if symptoms such as pain, the appearance of cloudy urine join this process, you should immediately inform your doctor about this, who will be able to establish the cause of these changes and exclude or confirm pyelonephritis. nine0003

30th week

Baby

The 30th week is characterized by an intensive growth of the baby's muscle mass. He actively trains the muscles of the limbs, makes frequent movements, because during childbirth all muscle groups of the arms, legs, chest, and back must be prepared. In the second stage of labor or during the immediate birth of a child, there is an active contraction of the uterus, the muscles of the abdominal wall. The child moves independently. In this he is helped by a high tone of the muscles of the body, which greatly facilitates the movement through the birth canal, and also allows you to make translational movements. Also this week, the preparation of the internal organs of the fetus for extrauterine life continues. The baby's chest is actively training, expanding and contracting. Such movements are very similar to breathing. The lungs are washed with amniotic fluid, intensive production of surfactant continues. This substance ensures normal pulmonary respiration. You can also note the development of the alveoli. These vesicles in the lung tissue are necessary for gas exchange, because it is very important for the survival of the fetus to be ready for spontaneous breathing at the time of birth. It is worth noting that childbirth at the thirtieth week, which is due to any reasons, gives a high chance of independent breathing of the newborn, because the lung tissue is already mature and quite ready to perform its functions. nine0003

The fetus actively swallows the amniotic fluid, thereby contracting the digestive tract and stimulating the liver and pancreas. The liver in the body of any person performs an important function, cleansing the blood, and already at this stage of pregnancy is ready for full functioning. The formation of liver lobules by the thirtieth week is almost complete.
Amniotic fluid constantly flows and stimulates the kidneys to function intensively: the production of urine from the liquid part of the water. The daily rate of urine at this time in a child can reach 0. 5 liters. nine0003

Active work is also observed in the pancreas, which produces hormones and enzymes from the amniotic fluid. One of the most important is insulin. Potentially, the pancreas is ready for full-fledged work already at this time and will be able to supply the body of the newborn with everything necessary.

Thus, at the thirtieth week, the internal organs of the fetus will be able to ensure its vital functions in case of childbirth. Although their development actively continues until the very birth.
The height of the baby is 37-38 cm, and the body weight is about 1300-1400 g.

Expectant mother

Expectant mother at the thirtieth week may show active swelling of the breast, as well as the release of colostrum. This secret of the mammary gland - "primary milk" - is quite thick, has a white or yellowish tint. The release of colostrum can occur at different times, everything is very individual, but most often this happens after the 30th week of pregnancy. If you find such discharge in yourself, then this means that your body is actively preparing for the upcoming lactation. In the first few days after the birth of a child, colostrum from the woman's body will be released very actively until the appearance of breast milk. nine0003

During pregnancy, the fetus itself stimulates the production of colostrum. His adrenal glands produce a special hormone that, when interacting with placental hormones, activates the production of prolactin. Prolactin is a maternal pituitary hormone that is responsible for milk production after childbirth.

At the 30th week of pregnancy, a woman receives a certificate of temporary incapacity for work, and also goes through the procedure for issuing maternity leave, which lasts only 140 days. nine0003

31st week

Baby

At the 31st week of its intrauterine life, the fetus weighs 1500-1600 g and has a height of 39-40 cm. This period is characterized by the continuation of the development of the nervous system. The brain grows at a high rate, the convolutions deepen, and the surface area of the cortex increases. The brain, as well as its departments, thanks to nerve connections, function as one. In the baby, periods of sleep and activity are already clearly changing. Sleep, as before, takes up most of the time. It is worth noting that the child closes his eyes during sleep, and opens them during the period of activity. The eyelids are so well developed that the fetus can already blink, open and close its eyes, squint and even squint at this stage. If bright light hits the stomach, it makes the baby close his eyes, which indicates a good level of development of his nervous system. nine0003

Expectant mother

By this time, the weight of the expectant mother increases by 7-8 kg. For a woman in position, it is important to monitor the rate of weight gain, because too much weight gain may indicate poor kidney function. So, per week, the weight should increase by no more than 300-400 g. In addition, it is important to monitor the presence of edema on the limbs and notify the doctor if they are found. Fluid retention is a sign of a pregnancy complication. Preeclampsia, which is also called late toxicosis, is characterized not only by swelling, but also by an increase in blood pressure, as well as the appearance of protein in the urine. nine0003

At the initial stages, preeclampsia can be completely asymptomatic, so a pregnant woman may not notice changes at all, feel great. That is why it is important to constantly visit a doctor who can already determine the presence of late toxicosis by analysis. Preeclampsia is one of the main causes of complications in both the mother and her child. It can provoke fetal growth retardation, hypoxia, adversely affect the functioning of the kidneys, the vascular system and the heart, as well as the woman's liver. nine0003

Preeclampsia is mildly manifested in the form of edema. It can be corrected by normalizing the water-salt metabolism. The doctor may prescribe special diets for the pregnant woman, as well as drugs that will help cope with this condition.

Moderate or severe preeclampsia (nephropathy, preeclampsia and eclampsia) requires urgent hospitalization. In a hospital setting, intensive care is provided. Nephropathy in a future mother manifests itself not only in the form of edema, but also in the form of high blood pressure, as well as the appearance of a protein in the urine, which is detected during tests. nine0003

Active progression of preeclampsia can cause a severe degree of nephropathy, which smoothly flows into preeclampsia. This condition is manifested not only by edema, high blood pressure, protein in the urine, but also by circulatory disorders in the brain. Women note frequent dizziness, pain, as well as nausea, vomiting, and changes in reflexes.

Preeclampsia at its most severe stage (eclampsia) is characterized by the manifestation of convulsive seizures, which can cause coma. That is why it is important for a pregnant woman to detect signs of preeclampsia in the early stages in order to avoid an increase in symptoms, which in the future can lead to irreversible consequences. nine0003

32nd week

Baby

This week of pregnancy is an important stage in the development of fetal immunity, in the blood of which there is a sharp increase in its own immunoglobulins. These substances protect the child from infection. At the time of delivery, the level of immunoglobulins will increase greatly under the influence of the mother's immunoglobulins entering the child's body. The last weeks of pregnancy are characterized by excellent permeability of the placental barrier, so protective cells from the mother's body easily pass into the baby's blood. nine0003

In this week of pregnancy, the baby weighs about 1,700-1,800 g, and its body length is 41-42 cm. . The even distribution of fat under the skin allows the baby to change the color of the skin from bright red to pink.

The accumulation of subcutaneous fat is very important for thermogenesis. This process is necessary to constantly maintain body temperature at the same level. In an adult, these processes are controlled by special thermoregulation centers in the brain. At the time of birth, the child is not yet able to fully provide thermoregulation, so the presence of subcutaneous fat is so important for him to maintain the required body temperature. nine0003

Expectant mother

The third trimester of pregnancy can be manifested by pain in the back, pubis, as well as knee and hip joints. There may also be a feeling of fullness of the pelvic bones, pain. Such phenomena are present in many pregnant women, since the center of gravity changes, the spine shifts (due to the growth of the abdomen). At week 32, the woman’s body is already actively preparing, the placental hormone, relaxin, is produced, which is responsible for relaxing the ligaments, making the pelvis supple during childbirth and thereby ensuring the easiest and most comfortable movement of the child through the birth canal. Too much of this hormone causes pain and loosening of the ligaments. That is why women in position are recommended regular physical activity in the form of hiking, yoga, fitness, and swimming.