WHAT’S GOING ON WITH BABY?
Your Baby at 31 Weeks Pregnant
Baby’s growth and size
This week baby is weighing right around 3.3 pounds this week and measuring just over 16 inches, somewhere between 16 inches – 16.4 inches.
What’s new developmentally?
Your little one’s brain is working extra hard this week. It’s amazing to thin that your baby’s brain is already tracking light, processing information, and perceiving signals from the five senses. Over the next several weeks, baby’s brain will triple in weight.
The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum is developing deep grooves to allow for more surface area. The cerebrum is in charge of regulating temperature and coordinating movement.
The majority of baby’s bones are in the process of hardening but the bones in their skull will remain soft and flexible until after birth to make it easier for baby to pass through the birth canal.
These soft spots on the skull, called fontanelles, will close at different times after birth. They should all be closed by 18 -24 months
Fun facts about your week 31 baby
- All 5 senses are working
- Baby spends their day swallowing, breathing, hiccupping, sleeping, moving around, and even sucking their thumb
- Baby can kick, stretch, somersault
WHAT’S GOING ON WITH MAMA?
Week 31 of Pregnancy
Week 31 pregnancy symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Leaking breasts
- Frequent urination
- Round ligament pain
- General discomfort
- Sciatica
- Varicose veins
- Stretch marks and itchy belly
- Anemia
- Constipation
- Belly button changes
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Fatigue & trouble sleeping
- Moderate swelling in feet/ ankles
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Low back pain
- Leg cramps
- Hemorrhoids
How should I be feeling at 31 weeks pregnant?
You are probably feeling bigger this week then you did last week. As baby packs on the pounds these last several weeks, you will notice your belly getting larger as well. A growing belly probably means more aches and pains for mama, unfortunately.
The frequent and middle of the night bathroom trips have probably returned if they ever went away. And if the bathroom trips aren’t keeping you up at night, your inability to get comfortable probably is. The fatigue and lack of sleep might be putting a strain on you mentally. That coupled with some normal anxiety about the next several weeks, delivery, and bringing home a new baby, might be weighing on you.
I encourage you carve out time for yourself each and every day. I know this seems impossible, especially if you have other little ones in the house, but it’s so, so important and you deserve it. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or something that takes up a big chunk of your day.
Take 15 minutes to meditate, 45 minutes to do a prenatal yoga class, an hour for a prenatal massage, a 30-minute power nap, etc.
If you feel like your anxiety is interfering with your day-to-day interactions, then I highly recommend finding a therapist or counselor to meet with. It can be so beneficial now but also during the postpartum period too. I know right now it seems hard to think about much other than how you are feeling physically but don’t forget the importance of your mental health too!
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
More Week 31 Info
31 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore
There are a few things you should notify your OB provider about if they happen. I know I mentioned that mild swelling of your feet and ankles is normal in pregnancy, but there are times that swelling can be a cause for concern.
One thing you might be at risk for at 31 weeks, and really any point during pregnancy, is preeclampsia. If your swelling is severe or if it is accompanied by a headache that won’t go away, vision changes, sudden weight gain, stomach, shoulder, or lower back pain, sudden nausea, or shortness of breath or chest pain, it could be something more serious going on and you need to be evaluated.
Other symptoms not to ignore include a decrease or change in fetal movement, any kind of vaginal bleeding, if you think your water might have broken, or an intuition that something might be off.
The last thing we want you to do is sit around your house and worry when you can easily be evaluated and have a peace of mind.
31 weeks pregnant ultrasound
While it’s not common to have an ultrasound done at 31 weeks, there are a few reasons why your provider might schedule one. If you are experiencing any kind of complications or any conditions that make your pregnancy “high risk”, you might have an ultrasound this week. These high-risk conditions include but are not limited to carrying multiples, gestational diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), being over age 35 at the time of delivery, and other medical conditions.
31 weeks pregnant movement
Babies should not move less the bigger they get. If someone tries to tell you this, don’t listen. You might be feeling more consistent movements and a pattern now. Your provider should have already discussed kick counts with you. Kick counting is a free and effective way for mama’s to track the wellbeing of baby while in the womb, pick up on potential problems, and prevent stillbirth.
I have included resources on kick counting below so be sure you check them out. If at any point during pregnancy your baby’s movements feel different, off, or decreased, call your provider, or get evaluated immediately. If you aren’t being heard or taken seriously, put your foot down, advocate, don’t take no for an answer.
You should never feel bad, ashamed, or as if you are wasting anyone’s time if you are concerned about your baby’s movements. If your provider ever makes you feel this way, I recommend you find a new one ASAP.
WHAT’S GOING ON WITH YOUR BUMP?
31 Weeks Pregnant Belly
TIPS & RESOURCES FOR WEEK 31
Tips for 31 Weeks Pregnant
- Start preparing older kids for a new baby
- Prepare your dog for a new baby
- Continue working on your baby registry and nursery
- Wear your belly support band – my personal favorite
- Keep using that pregnancy pillow – I have a couple on my Amazon Storefront to help you narrow your search
- Take your babymoons if you plan on taking one
- Baby shower logistics if you plan on having one
- Look into childcare options – trust me on this one, mama, preschools and daycares fill up fast
- Treat yourself to a prenatal massage or pedicure this week – you and your mental health deserve it!
- Talk to your manager or HR department about maternity leave
- Contact your insurance company about maternity leave and FMLA
- Start thinking about whether a doula might be right for you
- Sign up for a birth class – there are SO MANY out there but I actually have online natural, epidural, and C-section courses that you can take all from the comfort of your own home, so check them out here
- Sign up for my free second trimester prep pack to receive my second trimester checklist, baby registry checklist, and old wives’ tales checklist!
- Sign up for MLN weekly pregnancy updates to stay up to date on everything going on with your pregnancy. So much good information and it’s all free!
TIPS & RESOURCES
Blog Articles
TIPS & RESOURCES
Podcast Episodes
TIPS & RESOURCES
Instagram Posts
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram