Week 31 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 31

• Things are feeling rather crowded. You may be experiencing difficulty walking, speaking, or doing both at the same time. Baby is making it difficult to catch your breath

• Fundal height is probably approximately 30 centimetres, give or take. Simply put, you may no longer be able to see your feet when you stand up straight

• If you're expecting twins, your doctor could recommend a biophysical profile. This is a combination of ultrasonography and a non-stress test (NST). Sensors will be placed on your tummy during the NST to detect and quantify your contractions as well as the heart rates of your baby or infants

• At 31 weeks pregnant, the baby's five senses are completely formed. Baby is also becoming smarter! In the meantime, you could feel a bit distracted. Some argue that "pregnancy brain" does not exist, but can you honestly recall a period in your life when you have had as much on your mind as you have now? There's plenty of cause to be forgetful around week 31 of pregnancy

• If you are in Week 31 of your pregnancy you are in the third trimester and in the last of the seventh month

• 9 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 31

Your foetus is undergoing significant brain and nerve growth. In reality, all five of the baby's senses are operating properly. Their visual system is now completely functioning. Baby's eyes can open and shut, and the pupils can sense light and react by constriction or dilation. If you shine a torch on your belly, your baby may react to the light! The eyes may also start to concentrate.

Your baby may recognise familiar sounds outside of the womb, including yours and your partner's. Around week 18 of pregnancy, the baby's hearing had developed enough to detect internal sounds, such as the gurgling of your digestion; outside noises were apparent between weeks 27 and 29. According to research, at 31 weeks, newborns can recognise voices, as well as certain phrases and noises they hear frequently. Hearing these familiar sounds after delivery may be soothing for the infant, so don't be afraid to play your favourite music, sing, or read aloud. Baby is listening!

Baby's brain is busily making connections and is now capable of managing body temperature. For the time being, the womb is a carefully regulated environment, thus the baby's body temperature is about the same as Mom's (really, it's around 0.5 to 1 degree F higher due to the baby's quick metabolism). Extra heat is filtered out by the amniotic fluid or baby's blood, which travels to Mom via the placenta. Babies are unable to shiver after birth, therefore they warm themselves by burning body fat.

At 31 weeks, your little one is moving a lot and, believe it or not, pedalling with those little legs.

• Baby Weight: Around 1.5-1.8 Kg
• Baby Length: 18 inches long
• Baby Size: Comparable to coconut.

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 31 of pregnancy, your body is rapidly changing. As your baby develops, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

• The strain on your bladder will make you want to urinate continuously (and you'll need to go!)
• All of the weight you're carrying in front will put tension on your back, producing muscular strains
• With your increasing girth, you might be feeling uncomfortable while moving at all
• Somehow, pregnancy brain memory lapses and vagueness have increased, so you may want to take notes or maintain a notebook if you're often left wondering what you meant to say a minute ago
• It's difficult to sleep, and once awake, you have headaches. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious snacks regularly. Unless your doctor instructs otherwise, you may take prescribed amounts of paracetamol
• You may detect a waxy, yellow material pouring from the breasts. This is colostrum, sometimes known as "first milk" or "pre-milk." It is the first milk produced during nursing and includes antibodies, proteins, salt, and other nutrients to help preserve your newborn's delicate systems
• Itchiness is prevalent. If it is severe or you develop a rash, see your doctor

Body Changes This week

You may feel as if all of your organs have been shifted, and you are correct! With the baby's development in overdrive, it will be a relief to get some breathing space when they begin the process of repositioning for delivery. You may have shortness of breath, which is normal until it becomes severe (at which case you should contact your doctor). If you are feeling breathless, sit or rest until it passes. By the time you give birth, the strain on your lungs and organs will have subsided, allowing you to breathe a sigh of relief.

Walking has turned into waddling, your legs and feet may swell (particularly if you're pregnant in warm weather), and sleeping may become more difficult. While it may be difficult for the next several months, after nine weeks, you will have a new love in your life!

With that in mind, if you have abrupt facial or hand swelling, contact your healthcare professional right away, as it might be a sign of something dangerous. Facial oedema, visual problems, and headaches might indicate preeclampsia.

31-week ultrasound

Women who have pregnancy issues, such as gestational diabetes, or who are 31 weeks pregnant with twins, may get an ultrasound to monitor the baby (or infants). But if that's not you, you're excused this week.

You're anxious to know what the baby looks like inside your tummy. Some interested parents-to-be opt to get a 3D/4D ultrasound later in pregnancy, generally between weeks 24 and 32. (Being 31 weeks pregnant is the ideal moment!)

A 3D/4D ultrasound allows you to view the whole surface of the baby's face in one photo. The image is three dimensional. The fourth dimension is time, and you can watch the baby move on the screen in 3D.

At 31 weeks pregnant, there may be medical reasons why a 3D/4D ultrasound is necessary. If your doctor does not order one, you may get it done at an independent imaging centre. In such a situation, the 3D/4D ultrasound is considered an elective operation, thus your insurance will not cover it, and you will have to pay for it yourself.

They're quite amazing to see, however, so if you want one and your doctor agrees, go for it!

Your Baby Bump at Week 31

By 31 weeks pregnant, you've usually gained between 9 to 12 kg. If you're 31 weeks pregnant with twins, your weight ranges between 12 and 19 kg.

Your belly is making it difficult to do things like tie your shoes and have sex. It even gets in the way of something as basic as walking, causing you to waddle.

31 Weeks Pregnant: Signs of Labour

At 31 weeks, if you detect indications of labour, such as your water breaking or genuine contractions (rather than Braxton Hicks contractions), you may be in preterm labour. Preterm labour occurs when your body goes into labour early, before 37 weeks of gestation. If you feel you are going into labour early, contact your doctor.

Tips and Exercise at Week 31

Being 31 weeks pregnant is a critical period for you and your baby. Here's some additional professional advice on how to transition to this new stage while keeping you and your baby safe.

• Check your packing list and prepare your luggage with the necessities for your hospital stay. Keep it handy and communicate the bag's position with your partner or someone who will accompany you to the delivery room
• Perform simple stretches to relieve neck and head pain. Massages are also beneficial, and bathing is safe throughout pregnancy. Epsom salts may help with muscular soreness but don't soak for longer than 15 minutes. It's also critical to maintain your core body temperature below 101°F, so have a thermometer on hand before entering the tub. If it is too much to keep track of, consider a foot bath, which is very calming
• During your third trimester, you should gain around half a kg every week but don't stress over the scale. While some women are unhappy with their changing sizes during pregnancy, keep in mind that weight gain is perfectly normal and good for both you and your baby. And, given there are several pregnancy nutrition misconceptions floating around, stick to reliable sources when deciding what to consume. As long as you consume a nutritious diet and exercise safely throughout pregnancy, you are setting yourself up for success for both you and your baby. Your doctor will notify you if they have any concerns
• There are many fantastic stretches to help soothe those pains, but here's one that can be done anytime, anywhere: Rest your back on a wall while standing with your feet beneath your shoulders. Tilt your lower back into the wall, holding for five to ten seconds before releasing. Repeat up to ten times as required
• The big day will be here before you know it, so start practising deep, rhythmic breaths to help you remain calm throughout labour. You'll be more prepared when the time comes to deliver the baby, but for now, these cleansing inhales and exhales can aid with any shortness of breath
• You may like your coffee, but it might be causing some of your additional visits to the loo. Drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee or tea, may function as diuretics, causing you to urinate more often

Checklist for Week 31

• Learn the indications of premature labour
• Order a baby keepsake book
• Stock up on home basics
• Finalise preparations for the baby's arrival and hospital stay

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 31 of Pregnancy

1. When does the pregnancy waddle start?
   Not all pregnant individuals have a noticeable waddle, but the changes in your body will affect how you walk. All that extra weight, along with the increasing size of your bump, puts a lot of strain on your lower joints, particularly your hips. According to research, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a person's steps grow shorter and broader. Try walking this way consciously—it will seem like you're waddling.
2. When does nesting in pregnancy begin?
   The impulse to nest—a sudden rush of energy to clean and organise—can occur at any point during pregnancy, but it is most typical in the third trimester and grows with each passing week. Some mothers have nesting peaks in the week or two before childbirth, while others have no urge to nest at all. In reality, there isn't much evidence that nesting is a genuine hormonal or biological process. Instead, the nesting urge may just be a mechanism for some parents to exert control over their surroundings and feel more mentally prepared for the upcoming delivery and life upheavals.