31 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is the size of a Coconut 🥥
🌱 Baby Development at Week 31
Baby is rapidly gaining weight — gaining about 0.5 lb per week. All five senses are functioning. Brain and nerves are directing bodily functions. Pupils react to light. Baby may respond to bright light shone on the belly.
🤱 Common Symptoms
🥗 Nutrition Tips
- Avoid gas-producing foods for comfort
- Calcium and Vitamin D for final bone hardening
- Stay hydrated — dehydration can trigger contractions
🏃♀️ Exercise Tips
- Walking is the best exercise in late pregnancy
- Pelvic tilts and gentle cat-cow stretches
- Practice relaxation and breathing techniques
🏥 Medical Tests & Appointments
🔬 Hormone Changes
Prolactin steadily rises preparing breasts for milk production. Oxytocin receptors in uterus increase.
📖 Week 31 Pregnancy — In-Depth Guide
Brace yourself for some good news—all your baby’s senses are fully developed when you’re 31 weeks pregnant. In addition, your baby is also getting smarter, but you may feel a bit absent minded at times.
With regards to size, your baby is similar to a bunch of asparagus, coconut or cucumber, and is most probably taking over your lungs, so you may at times feel the need to catch your breath even when you walk up a flight of stairs.
🩺31st Week Pregnancy Symptoms
Starting week 31, you’re going to feel similar symptoms as you were in the previous weeks. Of course, some may get worse, while others may subside and become bearable.
▸ Shortness of breath
The main reason why you may be short of breath is because your body is getting heavier. Remember not to stress yourself too much, but rather take breaks and get some light exercise.
Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions during pregnancy
To get some relief from Braxton Hicks contractions, you can try changing positions often and drinks lots of water. This will help prevent some of the contractions from turning into preterm labor. You’re a higher risk of preterm labor if you have certain pregnancy complications, which is why it is highly important that you speak to your OB if your contractions get too severe.
▸ Dry, brittle nails
You may notice your finger and toenails growing a little faster than what your accustomed to. They may also feel dry and brittle, and some moms claim that moisturizing with cuticle oil does greatly help.
▸ Frequent urination
At 31 weeks, both your lungs and bladder may feel overcrowded causing you to urinate more often.
▸ Backaches
This is one of those symptoms that is caused due to your growing baby, and taking a few pregnancy yoga classes can take your mind of them.
▸ Trouble sleeping
This of course goes hand in hand with your backaches, so your best bet is to find a comfortable sleeping position.
🤰Inside your Belly in Week 31
By the time you roll into your 31st week of pregnancy, you will probably have gained between 20 to 27lbs. And if you’re pregnant with twins, expect those numbers to rise anywhere between 26 and 42lbs.
Your belly is quite big at this stage so much so that it probably getting in the way of sex and even putting on your shoes.
Your baby’s position when you’re 31 weeks is with its head down, and your OB will check this at your next prenatal appointment.
You will probably have a 31 week ultrasound only if you have any pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, so if you don’t, just know that all is well. We understand that you’re curious to know what you’re little munchkin is doing in there
And some medical centers do offer 3D/4D ultrasound later on in your pregnancy to quench your curiosity.
In this ultrasound, you will be able to see your baby’s entire face in one frame, and you can probably also take home a video for keepsakes.
👶Your Baby's Development in Week 31
Your baby when your 31 weeks weighs roughly 3 1/3 pounds and measures over 16 inches long. With regards to movements, they are able to turn their head from side to side, and its arms, legs and body are beginning to plump up.
You may have trouble sleeping because your baby is moving around quite a bit, but this also means that your baby is well and healthy.
▸ baby growth inside belly at week 31
Your baby’s brain is also working around the clock and is starting to process information, and perceive signals from all five senses. In addition, you’re not the only one growing fingernails, but your baby as well at an accelerated rate.
✅Pregnancy Week 31 Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our medical team