Pregnancy Week 31
Welcome Guest!
Inside Pregnancy Week 31
Your baby is probably around 15-16 inches in length and weighs in around 3-4 pounds.
That fat layer is still building up, and with it the skin tone will continue to become more pink and less transparent in appearance.
The brain is becoming more ridged and grooved and the nerves are growing at a tremendous rate. Already the baby is processing information gleaned from all five senses.
Feel like the baby is doing a little dance in response to music? Might not be so much a funny image as a reality. Research has shown that babies do move in rhythm and response to musical input.
Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 31
Have you noticed a sticky yellowish substance leaking from your breasts? The presence or absence of it is perfectly normal. Some women will leak this first stage of milk in the weeks before birth, others will only notice it after baby's arrival.
Other leaking issues? You might find it embarrassing, but many expectant moms experience urine leakage when sneezing, or maybe laughing. Wearing a pantyliner may help. Kegel exercises will be helpful as well.
Another uncomfortable reality? Your internal organs are not quite where they used to be. Your bladder feels squished, your lungs stuffed up higher into your chest and the uterus is a whole four inches above the belly button now.
You may experience a feeling of not being able to get your breath, but rest assured baby is breathing just fine. To help you breathe easier, try to sit and stand up straight, and sleep on your side, propped on pillows.
Visit With the Obstetrician
Sometime after 28 weeks your physician may order a Fetal Nonstress Test. This is a simple noninvasive procedure done in around thirty minutes time. Two belts will be placed on mother's abdomen, one to measure fetal heart rate, the other to monitor contractions. The baby's heart rate should increase with fetal activity, and should decrease at rest. Occasionally baby decides to nap during the test, and should that happen, sometimes a little buzzer will be used to wake up baby. This test may be ordered should there be any question on the level of fetal activity, or if there is a possibility of placental function issues, or if this is a high risk pregnancy.
Preparing for Baby
You and your partner may want to check into infant CPR and first aid classes now, as part of your preparation for the new arrival. It's a good idea for anyone who will be around baby, including grandparents or babysitters. The classes are often short and will bring a peace of mind to worrying new parents. Knowing that you are prepared for emergencies will make you feel much more confident as a new parent.
Pregnancy Lifestyle
Are you getting your body ready for labor? There are exercises that are helpful in preparing for childbirth. First of all, doing Kegel exercises daily will definitely help with labor and after wards. Contract those muscles you use to shut off the flow of urine. Work on holding for five seconds at a time, working up to 10 seconds contracted with 10 seconds rest in between. You should do three sets of 10 a day. Other exercises are yoga type stretches, that are geared to pregnant women and aid in strengthening and stretching and relaxing your muscles, especially those you'll rely on most during birth.
Personalized Pregnancy Week by Week Calendar
Comments
Showing 1 - 17 out of 17 Comments
Add Comment
I feel really great. this is my first pregnancy and i am 31 weeks and 4 days. our little girl is due in may and i can definitely wait, we still have a lot to do to prepare. i've only gained 20 pounds and i feel really healthy and in great shape. the gym has made things a lot easier for me. can't wait to meet her but i am definitely willing to wait the 8 weeks, so she is healthy and we are ready : )
Im soo ready to have my girl.. im having intense braxton hicks right now....
I have my days.....my first baby...my ribs hurt like hell...now its my legs and back....shooting pain mostly when im asleep..its worth it ,,,cant wait to meet my baby
I have good days and bad days! but i also have two toddlers and 8 weeks left before my c section lol
This is my sencond child and i'm having another girl and its been worst this preganancy that my first, ive had more sickness and pains i just can't wait to meet her now im fed up of being pregnant!
I am 31 weeks, 2nd baby. everyone said the second one is easier. but, this ones a girl and i am just really tired and i have a 10 month old too. hah go me
Well this is my 31 week, and this is my forth cild i cannot wait for this to be over i have had 3 c-sections and scheduled for this one june 8 cant wait to be done no more after this, at this point i would just like to sleep comfortably....
I'm 31 weeks and this is my frist baby. i feel great but at times just really tired.my only worry is my alone time with my husband, just him and i for 10 years! he is ready to see him son!!!!
This is my first pregnancy and so far everything has gone great. i am 31 weeks and also feel like i have been pregnant way to long and so ready for my son to be born already. i havent really gotten that big but im afraid the last month im going to double or something. yikes!!
Im 31 weeks i feel like i have been pregnant for way to long i want this to be over already
I am in week 31 right now and feel like crap. my husband and i are so happy about our newest arrival, but i still feel like crap. i will be glad to be done with this chapter in my life.
:] i can't wait not to be pregnant anymore...i want to meet my lil'girl so bad!! but other then that my pregnancy is be awesome =d
This is my fifth pregnancy third child due sept 21st it has been awful didnt gained a bunch this time but i have been in a lot of pain as well as the sickness too.
This is my second child and every body said to me it will be easier. this time around it was a lot harder to carry this child i am in a lot more pain this time. will maybe the deliverly will be easier i hope.
Ugh. i dont htink i can get much bigger. do you? there is no way my skin will hold out, im damaged goods after this. i will never star in a porn cause i have stretch marks :) oh well i guess i have to settle with being a soccer mom huh?
Add Comment
You are commenting as . Please register or login if you would like to be notified by email of replies to your comment.
I would take 3 weeks of third trimester over 1 week of my first trimester. i was sooo sick. now, the some sort of sickness has come back but not neary to the same extent. people are nicer to you when you are pregnant and i am enjoying that. looking forward to loosing the extra 20 pounds i am carrying and gaining a family.
Reply | Report