31st week of pregnancy Week

🤰 No More Space! As your baby grows, the space inside becomes smaller. It may be difficult to walk, talk, and even breathe at the same time! Don’t worry, this feeling is completely normal.

📏 Fundal Height The size of the uterus can be around 30 cm . Now seeing her feet may seem like a nostalgic memory.

👶 If You’re Expecting Twins Your doctor may schedule a biophysical profile test (BPP). This test consists of an ultrasound and a non-stress test (NST) to track your baby’s heartbeat and movements .

🧠 Baby Gets Smarter, You Forget! Your baby’s five senses are fully developed and their brain continues to grow rapidly. You may be struggling with pregnancy brain (forgetfulness). Don’t be surprised if you put your keys in the fridge! 😅

What Is Your Baby Doing in Week 31?

🧠 Brain and Nervous System Developing Rapidly!: The baby’s brain continues to develop rapidly by establishing neural connections . Starting this week , his five senses begin to function fully. Especially brain functions, reflexes and movement coordination are strengthening.

👀 Eyes Are Open and Vision Is Developing! : Your baby’s eyelids can now open and close. Their pupils are developed enough to respond to light. If you shine a flashlight on their belly, your baby may respond by blinking their eyes or moving their head! However, they can’t see much inside because it’s still pretty dark in the womb. Since eye pigmentation is just starting to form, it’s hard to tell for sure what eye color they’ll have when they’re born!

👂 Baby’s Ears Are Now Much More Sensitive! : Baby’s Ears The sense of hearing begins to give its first signals in the 18th week of pregnancy. At that time, she could hear internal sounds inside the womb, such as bowel movements, heartbeat and blood flow , but it took a little longer for her to perceive sounds from the outside world.

Now, By weeks 27-29, he can also hear sounds coming from the outside environment clearly! According to research, by the 31st week, the baby is starting to recognize not only sounds but also certain words and melodies that he hears frequently.

This means:
📢 He is getting used to your and his father’s voices and will recognize you immediately when he is born!
🎵 Can remember music and melodies he hears regularly.
🍼 Words that your baby hears frequently in the womb may become familiar and comforting after birth.

During this period, you can talk to your baby more, sing songs to him, and read your favorite books out loud. After birth, these sounds can help calm your baby by giving him confidence. 💞 🎶 💞

🌡️ Starting to Control Body Temperature! : Your baby’s brain is now developed enough to regulate body temperature on its own. Right now, the temperature inside the womb is kept constant by your body heat. When the baby is born, since he doesn’t have a shivering reflex, he will warm himself by burning fat stores in his body.

With each passing week, your baby’s ability to adapt to the outside world increases. Now he/she hears you more, feels you and prepares for birth! 🥰

🤰 How Big Is Your Baby At 31 Weeks Pregnant?

At 31 weeks pregnant , your baby is approximately 41 – 42 cm long and weighs 1.5 – 1.7 kg! Your baby, who is the size of a bunch of asparagus, continues to gain weight rapidly.

This growth spurt can put pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, so it’s normal to feel out of breath when climbing stairs or moving around a lot.

👶 What Does Your Baby Look Like at Week 31?

Your baby is now starting to look a lot like what he or she will look like after birth!

• The hair called lanugo (the fine hairs that prevent amniotic fluid from irritating the skin) is slowly starting to fall out.
• Her skin becomes less wrinkled because her body continues to store fat.
• Your baby’s muscles are getting stronger so he or she will be able to move more actively when he or she comes into the world.

Your baby’s biggest task? To grow more and increase fat stores to create cute baby cheeks! 🥰

🍼 Is Your Baby Fully Developed at Week 31?

Almost! Your baby’s organs and systems are largely developed, but:
✔ His lungs are not yet fully mature and he needs some more time to be ready to breathe in the outside world.
✔ The neural connections in your brain are rapidly increasing and your brain waves are starting to work like a newborn.
✔ The ability to regulate body temperature is developing , so that it can adapt to the outside world after birth.

Your baby has made tremendous progress so far, but the next few weeks are critical, especially in terms of weight gain!

📅 How Many Months Is 31 Weeks Pregnant?

Pregnancy is usually tracked on a week-by-week basis, but You are approximately 31 weeks into your 7th month! There are only 9 weeks left until the birth! 🎉

📸 Ultrasound at 31 Weeks Pregnant

A routine ultrasound is usually not necessary at 31 weeks pregnant. However, for expectant mothers who have a complication such as gestational diabetes or those expecting twins at 31 weeks, doctors may order an ultrasound to monitor the baby’s development and health.

If this is not the case for you, you are unlikely to have an ultrasound this week. But don’t worry, your baby is still growing and developing rapidly inside!

📽 What is 3D/4D Ultrasound?

Some parents choose to have a 3D or 4D ultrasound to see the baby’s face clearly. The period between weeks 24 and 32 is the ideal time for these images.

👶 3D Ultrasound : Allows you to see the baby’s face as a single three-dimensional image .
🎥 4D Ultrasound : This is a 3D image with movement added , so you can see the baby blinking, sucking his thumb or even smiling ! You can record a small video from this type of ultrasound and save it.

Unless your doctor provides a medical reason, a 3D/4D ultrasound is considered an elective procedure. In this case, it may not be covered by insurance and you can have it done at a private imaging center for a fee.

But let’s face it, seeing your baby’s face and recording these sweet moments can be a wonderful experience! If you want and your doctor approves, capturing this moment can be a great experience. 🥰

🤰 Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 31

At 31 weeks pregnant, many of the symptoms you experienced before may still be there, and some may even become more intense. Here are the most common symptoms and how to cope:

😮 Shortness of Breath

As the baby grows, it can put pressure on your lungs and diaphragm, which can cause shortness of breath . This can cause you to tire more quickly when walking or climbing stairs. Move slowly, take frequent breaks, and sit down to catch your breath.

💅 Dry, Brittle Nails

Although pregnancy hormones cause nails to grow faster , many expectant mothers find that their nails become drier and break more easily. You can strengthen your nails by using a moisturizing nail oil .

💧 Braxton Hicks Contractions

These “practice labor pains” help your uterus prepare for birth. Drinking plenty of water and changing positions can help ease these contractions. If contractions become regular and painful , you should consult your doctor.

🍼 Breast Leakage (Colostrum Production)

Your breasts may leak a yellowish fluid (colostrum). This will be your baby’s first feed after birth. You can control leaks by using breast pads .

🚽 Frequent Urination

You may feel the need to go to the bathroom more often because your growing uterus is putting pressure on your bladder . Don’t forget to drink water, but you can reduce your water consumption a little in the evenings so that you don’t wake up as often during the night.

💆 Back Pain

The weight of the baby can put a strain on your back and spine. Prenatal yoga and gentle stretching can help relieve back pain.

🌙 Sleep Problems

Your growing belly, need to urinate more often , and Braxton Hicks contractions can make it hard to sleep comfortably. Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs.

🤰 Your Belly at 31 Weeks Pregnant

🔹 You may have gained about 7-10 kg by this week. If you are expecting twins , it is normal to gain 10-17 kg.

🔹 What position is the baby in at 31 weeks?
Your baby is probably starting to move into a head-down position. However, Some babies may not turn until the 32nd week. Your doctor will evaluate the baby’s position at your next check-up.

🔹 As your belly grows, your daily activities may become difficult.
During these weeks , tying your shoes, sitting down and standing up, and even walking may become more difficult. In fact, many expectant mothers may have started to walk in a way we call the “duck walk” ! 😅

🤰 Tips for 31 Weeks Pregnant

The finish line is in sight! 🎉 Here’s what you can do this week to better prepare yourself for birth and motherhood:

🍼 Use Breast Pads

If your breasts have started leaking colostrum , you can prevent your bra from getting wet by using nursing pads (disposable or washable) .

💆 Do a Simple Stretch to Relieve Back Pain

This simple move you can do anywhere can relieve your back pain:

• Lean your back against a wall.
• Open your feet at shoulder width.
• Slowly lean your waist against the wall and stay in this position for 5-10 seconds.
• Relax and repeat the exercise 10 times.

🌬️ Do Breathing Exercises to Prepare for Birth

Birth is approaching! Learning deep breathing techniques now will help you feel more comfortable during birth.

• Inhale slowly through your nose, expanding your belly.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth.
• Repeat these breaths for 5-10 minutes.

These exercises will help you cope with labor pains and also relieve shortness of breath.

☕ Reduce Caffeine

You may not want to give up your tea and coffee pleasure, but caffeine is a diuretic and can cause you to go to the bathroom frequently. If you’re tired of getting up at night to use the bathroom, you can try reducing your caffeine intake a little.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

We have compiled some common questions you may have in your mind during the 31st week of pregnancy and the answers to these questions for you:

📝 31 Weeks Pregnancy Checklist

Don’t forget what you need to do this week! ✅

✔️ Learn the signs of premature labor 🆘 : Recognize signs like sudden contractions, water breaking , vaginal bleeding , or intense pelvic pressure. If in doubt, contact your doctor.

✔️ Order a memory book for your baby 📖 : Immortalize unforgettable moments by purchasing a special baby memory book where you can record everything from the first ultrasound images to the moment of birth.

✔️ Sign up for a breastfeeding class 🍼 : If you are planning to breastfeed, you can attend a breastfeeding class to learn the right techniques and ask your questions.

✔️ Stock up on essentials at home 🏡 : Stock up on toilet paper, cleaning supplies, snacks, and other daily essentials before your baby arrives. This way, you can be comfortable without having to rush to the grocery store after giving birth.

The countdown continues, continue to complete your preparations! 🎀