Because This Is the Time to Ask All the Things—Big, Small, and Everything in Between
Hey mama—Week 32 is officially here, and you are cruising through the third trimester like the superhero you are. 🦸♀️✨
This is also when The Final Prenatal Appointments start coming at you a bit more often. You’ll probably go from seeing your provider every two weeks… to every week… until baby decides it’s go time. These last appointments aren’t just routine—they’re your chance to get real answers, prep for labor, and feel empowered heading into the home stretch.
But let’s be honest—between the belly, the baby brain, and the back-to-back appointments, it’s easy to forget what you wanted to ask until after you’ve left the office.
So this week, we’re making it super easy for you:
✅ What to expect at your final prenatal visits
✅ Smart questions to ask your OB or midwife
✅ How to talk about your birth preferences confidently
✅ What signs to watch for as labor gets closer
✅ And why it’s totally okay to write your questions down 💛
You deserve answers. You deserve clarity. And you deserve to feel confident going into birth—whatever that looks like for you.
1️⃣ What Happens at the Final Prenatal Appointments?
From Week 32 onward, your appointments get more frequent and more focused on prepping for labor and monitoring baby’s position and growth.
Here’s what to expect:
🩺 Routine Checks:
- Blood pressure
- Weight
- Urine sample (checking for protein/sugar)
- Fundal height (measuring your belly)
- Baby’s heartbeat
- Swelling check
📍 More Frequent Monitoring:
- Baby’s position (head down yet?)
- Any signs of preterm labor
- Cervical checks (usually after 36–37 weeks if needed)
- Kick counts discussion (tracking baby’s movements)
📌 You might also receive tests like the Group B Strep swab around 36–37 weeks.
2️⃣ What Questions Should You Ask During These Visits?
Girl, this is YOUR time. Your questions matter—even if they feel small. Here are some to consider bringing up over the next few weeks:
💡 About Labor & Delivery:
- How will I know I’m really in labor?
- When should I call or come to the hospital?
- What does the hospital intake process look like?
- Who will deliver my baby if you’re not available?
- What pain relief options are available (epidural, nitrous oxide, etc.)?
- What’s your view on inducing labor if I go past my due date?
- What if my water breaks but I’m not contracting yet?
🍼 About Your Birth Plan & Preferences:
- Can we review my birth preferences together?
- Are wireless monitors available so I can move around during labor?
- Am I allowed to eat or drink during labor?
- Can I use different labor positions or a birth ball?
- What’s your stance on delayed cord clamping?
- Can my partner/support person be with me at all times?
- What happens immediately after birth (skin-to-skin, baby checks, etc.)?
📌 Birth plans aren’t about controlling the experience—they’re about communicating your wishes so you feel informed and respected.
🩹 About Medical Stuff:
- What’s your C-section rate? (Not to scare you—just helpful info!)
- What’s the hospital’s policy on interventions like episiotomies or continuous monitoring?
- What if baby is breech—what are our options?
🧸 About Baby:
- How big is baby measuring right now?
- Is baby head-down yet?
- What if baby is still breech at 36–37 weeks?
- How do I track movements or do kick counts?
- What’s your policy on going past 40 weeks?
💛 About Postpartum:
- What can I expect in terms of bleeding and recovery?
- How soon should I schedule my postpartum check-up?
- Do you offer breastfeeding support or have a lactation consultant?
- What are the signs of postpartum depression I should look out for?
📌 These questions may not feel urgent now, but having answers early can help ease anxiety later.
3️⃣ How to Remember All Your Questions
Let’s face it—once you’re in that tiny exam room with your belly out, it’s easy to forget everything you wanted to ask. So try this:
📓 Keep a Note in Your Phone
Create a running list of questions as they come up throughout the week. Add to it after conversations with friends or when you have a late-night thought like, “Wait, how long do we stay in the hospital after birth?”
🧾 Bring a Paper Print-Out
If you’re a pen-and-paper person, keep a small notebook in your purse or birth folder. You can even write down your provider’s answers to refer to later.
🗣️ Don’t Be Afraid to Say, “I’m Not Sure What That Means”
It’s totally okay to pause your provider and ask them to clarify something. This is your experience—you deserve to understand every part of it.
4️⃣ When to Speak Up or Advocate for Yourself
Sometimes you might feel unsure about what’s being suggested—or you might want something different than what’s being offered. And that’s OK.
Here’s how to navigate it:
- Use phrases like:
“Can you help me understand why this is being recommended?”
“Are there any alternatives?”
“Can I have some time to think about this?”
📌 You’re not being difficult. You’re being a smart, thoughtful mama who cares deeply—and that’s exactly what your baby needs.
5️⃣ What Other Mamas Say About These Final Appointments
“Once I hit 32 weeks, I made a little printable with all my questions. My doctor loved it—and it made me feel prepared.” – Sarah
“I thought I’d remember everything I wanted to ask, but nope. I forgot half of it until I started keeping notes in my phone!” – Becca
“My OB helped me feel confident in my birth choices because I asked ALL the questions. It made such a difference.” – Eliza
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Be Heard, Seen, and Prepared
These final weeks are full of emotion, excitement, and a lot of questions. But mama, this is your experience—and you have every right to feel informed and empowered going into birth.
Ask the questions.
Speak your truth.
And never feel silly for wanting to understand every part of what’s happening.
You’re getting so close—and you’re already the kind of mom who shows up with love, curiosity, and strength. That’s everything your baby could ever need. 💛
