Overview of Week 31 of pregnancy
During week 31 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 16.25 inches long
- You are in trimester three
- 9 more weeks to go
- Baby can process information from all 5 senses
At 31 weeks pregnant, your baby still has a lot of growing to do. They are busy putting on weight and developing their brains and lungs. If born this week, your baby would still be considered very premature; however, with some time in the NICU, the survival rate for babies born this week is 95%.
How many months pregnant is 31 weeks?
At 31 weeks pregnant, you can say you are officially 7 months pregnant and are now entering the 8th month. You are in the third trimester and only have 2 more months of pregnancy left.
How big is baby at 31 weeks pregnant?
Your baby is now around 16 and 1/4 inches long, from head to toe. That is roughly the size of an asparagus bunch. As for weight, your little one weighs about 3 and 1/2 pounds by week 31 of pregnancy. Your baby is putting on about half a pound of weight each week until birth.
Baby development during week 31 of pregnancy
Brain
Your baby’s brain is continuing to make connections between individual nerve cells. There are billions of nerve connections to make, so this is happening at an incredibly fast rate. Your little one is able to receive and process information from all five senses now, thanks to these connections.
Pregnancy Week 31 Symptoms
Shortness of breath
As your baby and your uterus grow, there will be increased pressure on your lungs. This means you may find it harder to breathe and catch your breath. A brisk walk or trip up the stairs may lead you to have shortness of breath. If you are having a hard time breathing, it is best to slow down on exercising and take breaks while walking.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum and around your anus. During pregnancy, increased blood flow to the pelvic area, as well as increased pressure from the uterus, causes veins around your rectum to swell. Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and if you get them, it is best to avoid sitting for too long at a time, as sitting can cause extra pressure on the veins.
Swelling
Swelling in pregnancy is a normal symptom that usually starts in the second trimester and may worsen towards the end of pregnancy. Excess fluids in the body and pressure from your growing uterus can cause water retention in the feet, ankles, and hands. If you notice your fingers starting to swell, you should remove any rings until the swelling goes down. Let your doctor or midwife know if the swelling worsens or if there is a large amount in your face or around your eyes.
Stretch marks
You may have started to notice stretch marks forming on your belly and breasts. These indented, purple, red, or blue lines occur when skin is stretched quickly. It is challenging to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy and they are usually permanent scars. You may not be able to avoid them completely, but you can start to use lotions and oils on your belly and breasts to help reduce the severity of the marks.
Trouble sleeping
With your growing belly, you may find it increasingly difficult to fall asleep. Your big belly will make getting into a comfortable position a tough task. Add in increasing heartburn and increasing movements from your baby and then sleeping will seem impossible. Make sure you have a comfy pregnancy pillow and avoid eating foods that aggravate heartburn.
Heartburn
Pregnancy hormones may allow the muscles in the esophagus to relax more frequently, allowing stomach acids to push back up into the esophagus. This is what causes the burning sensation in your chest, known as heartburn or acid reflux. Now that your baby and uterus are growing, there is also more pressure on your stomach which causes acids to be pushed further up. Over-the-counter medications, such as Tums or Rolaids, can help to reduce any discomfort. If any pain persists, it is best to talk to your doctor about other medications that may be available.
Pregnancy week 31 tips
Take pictures
Have you taken your weekly baby bump photo yet? These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy. In fact, if you have been taking pictures since the beginning of your pregnancy, you will probably already see some transformation.
Get nursery ready
The third trimester is the perfect time to get everything ready for the arrival of your little one. This is the time to set up the crib, put together the changing table, and decorate the walls of the nursery. Finalizing the nursery will take a load of weight off your shoulders and make the upcoming arrival of your new baby seem all that more real.
Pack your hospital bag
You never know when your little one will decide to make their appearance. It’s a good idea to start packing a hospital bag to have ready, just in case. Remember to pack extra clothes for both you and the baby, diapers, wipes, and your phone charger.
Take a breastfeeding class
If you plan on breastfeeding, it is a good idea to look into breastfeeding classes in your area. You can reach out to your public health authority or ask your healthcare practitioner about options available to you. These classes will teach you all about breastfeeding including how often your baby will need to eat, how to position your baby and how to help your baby to latch correctly. Contrary to what you may believe, breastfeeding does not come easy for either mom or baby.
