What Happens During Week 31 Of Pregnancy? – Being Parents

During week 31 of pregnancy, your baby will be able to pick up and perceive most stimuli, despite your body feeling a little tired from so much energy. However, as long as you keep your doctor visits up to date, there is nothing to worry about.

Baby development at week 31 of pregnancy

Right now, your baby should be around 27 centimeters and weigh around 1400 grams. Although it all depends on the characteristics of the parents and the course of pregnancy.

Surely you have already started to feel kicks! As your baby grows, she adapts to the shape of your uterus and begins to position herself in the natural position for birth. He still has some leeway, but he will soon reach his final position.

Your baby’s lungs are now more and more ready for the outside environment thanks to a substance called surfactant. This fluid is found in tiny bags called alveoli, which will fill with air the moment your child breathes outside for the first time.

It is normal to think that inside your uterus there are not too many stimuli for the baby, but the truth is that his brain is already well developed to perceive them. From birth he will hear your voice and he will instinctively remember it for the rest of his life, don’t doubt it.

The most common symptoms of week 31 of pregnancy

Your weight will continue to increase gradually, even if you are nearing the end of your pregnancy. This doesn’t mean that your baby is not growing properly, but that the most important growth phase has already taken place.

Also, you will probably start to feel some breast milk pass through your breasts. This is normal and this fluid is called colostrum. It is not the best way to breastfeed your baby, but it will soon be full of all the nutrients it needs to grow well.

Common symptoms for week 31

It is best to be aware of the following symptoms during this week of pregnancy:

• Fatigue : If you feel excessively tired, there may be a problem with your hemoglobin. Tell your trusted doctor during your next consultation, he will tell you about the corresponding examinations.
• You are short of breath : If you exercise too much or walk too much, you may be short of breath and feel tired. It may be related to what we discussed in the previous point, but remember that your baby takes up a lot of space. It is normal for you to have trouble participating in physical activity.

• Sleep problems : Insomnia (just right) is common in week 31. If symptoms occur too often, you should see your doctor. Your baby needs you to rest!

Tips and recommendations for pregnancy week 31

It is always necessary to go to the antenatal consultation, especially when you are approaching your childbirth. The doctor should assess your baby’s condition, even if you can only see him by listening to his heartbeat.

At this point, consultations can be done every 3 or 4 weeks. But it all depends on the course of your pregnancy and the particular characteristics of the baby. It is important to go to the prenatal exams. This is because, even if you feel well, your general condition does not always reflect the health of your baby.

Examinations that may be requested and why

If the doctor is planning a cesarean or natural delivery with you, the doctor is likely to require some lab tests. These are useful for assessing the health of mom and baby and then having them on hand in an emergency:

• Complete hematology : it allows you to assess the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, two important parameters that allow the baby to grow.
• Blood chemistry : Although over the weeks you will become less likely to develop a disease such as gestational diabetes, it never hurts to assess these parameters in your blood.
• HIV and VDRL serologies : allow the detection of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to the baby. If the result is positive, you will both need treatment.

There are additional examinations such as the echosonogram which allow the final development of all the baby’s structures to be assessed.

frequently asked Questions

Here are some questions mothers typically ask themselves this week and more:

Can I exercise regularly?

It depends on the type of physical activity you want to do. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you can participate in low-impact sports or even do activities at home, such as yoga. It’s a question of creativity, even more if you are a great sportswoman!

Can I receive X-rays?

Only when necessary. During the 9 months of pregnancy, it is likely that at some point you will have a medical problem that requires an x-ray (such as a fracture or pneumonia ). Fortunately, this method emits little radiation and there are specific ways to protect your baby during “image capture”.

Can i drive?

As long as you receive the proper care, yes. You should do this at a safe speed and fasten the seat belt around your stomach (never over it). We don’t want the baby to get some kind of compression in the event of an accident.

Week 31 of pregnancy, the date is approaching …

Yes, little by little the desired date is approaching. There is a little over a month left to receive the new family member. If you already know the gender and its name, it is a good idea to start setting up your baby’s room to make him feel at home from day one. Finally, enjoy these days with your loved ones!