31 Weeks Pregnant : What to Expect
As you make your way through your third trimester, the biggest thing you will notice will be the amount of weight you and your baby are gaining. Eating a well balanced diet, which includes foods high in fiber to help with constipation, and drinking plenty of liquids such as water or juice is crucial in this final stage. Keeping hydrated can help prevent symptoms such as dry skin, dry eyes, and others. Continue going on your routine checkups with your healthcare provider and make sure you ask and get answers to all of your questions.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 31 Weeks
As your baby gains weight, so do you. As your round ligament pain decreases, you probably begin to experience back pain like never before. Sleeping comfortably is generally out of the question for most expectant mothers, so try to relax and rest as much as possible, in the most comfortable position. Your breasts begin preparing for lactation, and even begin leaking colostrum, which is a sticky, yellowish substance. This is perfectly normal. You may even begin leaking urine if you laugh, sneeze or cough too hard. Unfortunately, this too is normal. Kegel exercises and wearing pantyliners as a precaution is recommended.
Baby’s Development
At 15 inches and weighing just over 4 lbs, your baby is over half the size he or she will be at birth. As fat continues to build up under the skin, your baby will begin to gain weight much quicker. The digestive tract and lungs are almost mature, and the lungs are able to inflate properly at this point, producing surfactant to help prevent the collapse of the lungs after birth. The ears are fully developed and your baby is listening to everything inside and outside of the womb. They can hear mom’s breathing patterns and heartbeat, they can hear music, and they can hear voices of others. His or her toe and fingernails are fully formed and he or she can even scratch themselves accidentally in the womb. Amniotic fluid is extremely important at this point and your healthcare provider should be checking it regularly to ensure there are no problems. It’s what your baby is swallowing and urinating up to a ½ liter a day. If there’s too much amniotic fluid in the sac, it could mean your baby isn’t swallowing properly and could have gastrointestinal problems. If there is too little amniotic fluid it could mean your baby isn’t urinating and could have kidney problems.
Pregnancy Week 31 Tips
Women 31 weeks pregnant may be torn between loving and hating their bodies. At this point, moms-to-be’s have gained weight at a steady, slower pace. From this point on, you and your baby will begin to gain weight quicker and this could encourage negative feelings inside of you. It’s very important in this trimester that you have a strong support team inside and outside of your home. These groups can help you get through your emotional times, as well as help you relate to other expectant moms. Taking some maternity photos can really alleviate any negative feelings as a good photographer can bring out the beauty of pregnancy. Next is pregnancy at 32 weeks.
