31 Weeks!

   (Late published)

Just turned 31 weeks today! During my previous prenatal check-up, my weight measures 67.9 kilograms. Yay! :)

  My next appointment is on the first week of October and another ultrasound is scheduled on the second week of next month. Also on this month, I'll be having my Group B Streptococcus Test.

  At this stage, feeling my baby's movements here and there every time. I'm just so happy knowing that active babies are healthy babies. Thanks be to God!

   

 Let's take a peek on what's happening this week:

Inside the Womb at 31 Weeks

 Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Photo courtesy of The Bump

Photo courtesy of Parents

Photo courtesy of Your Baby Library

Child length: measures 16.2 inches (about the size of a asparagus)

Child weight: 3.3 pounds

At this stage: At 31 weeks, your baby is practically perfect at this point. He or she has hair covering the head and eyebrows, finger and toenails, and limbs and organs all in the right places. Of course, the brain is developing all the time, and your baby's senses are heightening constantly, but the only further development that is important before birth is of the lungs.

Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells (he's got to make trillions of them!) are being made at a super fast rate. He's now processing information, tracking light and perceiving signals from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he's still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you and your baby yours will be one of the very first scents he breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his very favorite.

Your week 31 fetus is going through major brain and nerve development. His or her eyes are developing too, the irises can now react to light! (A little light does shine into your 31 weeks pregnant belly at times!) In fact, all five of baby’s senses are in working order.

Can you believe all five of baby’s senses are fully developed at 31 weeks pregnant? Baby's also getting smarter!

Your baby can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump up as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

You may notice that your baby moves more when you talk to him. You'll probably start feeling different kicks now as his body continues to grow, but the kicks you do feel will be harder. They might even hurt, especially if he's practicing karate chops on your groin.

Baby's getting so big, he or she's probably crowding your lungs, which is why you might find yourself winded on a normal walk up the stairs.

Baby’s position at 31 weeks? Head down! At least he or she probably is. Your OB will check to see for sure at your next appointment.

So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his arrival? Making faces, hiccuping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall and even sucking his thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what little suckers!).

Baby is very close to his or her delivery length now and shouldn't get too much longer before the birth, which is great news for your cramped uterus.

Your Body

You might actually feel a little… dumb. You’re not! It’s just that many moms-to-be find themselves acting absentmindedly during the third trimester. Some say that “pregnancy brain” isn’t a real thing, but can you honestly think of another time in your life when you’ve had as much on your mind as now? We’re guessing no. That right there is enough of a reason to be so forgetful at week 31 of pregnancy.

Pregnancy symptoms that you might experience during this stage:

From week 31 of pregnancy on, you’re bound to feel a lot of the same symptoms you’ve already been experiencing. Some may get worse, and some may become bearable. Here are the most typical 31 weeks pregnant symptoms:

Shortness of breath. You might start to have more trouble getting around as you get heavier and more short of breath. Remember not to push yourself too much. It’s good for you and baby to get some exercise, but definitely take breaks to rest as much as you need to.

That out-of-breath feeling may get better toward the end of your pregnancy, when your baby drops down into your pelvis in preparation for delivery. Until then, be sure to stand as straight as you can (given the weight you're carrying around) and sleep propped up or on your side so that your lungs have more space to... well, breathe.

Dry, brittle nails. Sure, you’re having extra finger- and toenail growth, but that can make those nails feel dry and easily broken. Some moms-to-be have success with a moisturizing cuticle oil. This may also be the perfect excuse for a spa mani-pedi.

Braxton Hicks contractions. To ease the discomfort of Braxton Hicks, drink plenty of water and change positions often. This will prevent those “practice contractions” from turning into preterm labor. If you have certain pregnancy complications, or if you’re 31 weeks pregnant with twins, you’re at higher risk for preterm labor.

Leaky boobs. That yellow liquid is baby's first food, called colostrum, and your body’s getting it ready for the big arrival.

Frequent urination. Your bladder's just as crowded as your lungs are. Not much you can do about it except mentally plan more bathroom breaks into your daily routine.

Backaches. Be sure to keep stretching to ease your aching back. That prenatal yoga class can help!

Trouble sleeping. It’s no wonder you can’t sleep when your back hurts, your belly’s contracting, you can’t find a comfortable position, oh—and you have to keep getting up to pee!

Lower Back Pains. You may be noticing more hip and lower-back pain. What gives? Pregnancy hormones are relaxing the ligaments and tendons throughout your pelvic area so that the bones can spread to make room for delivery. Your expanding uterus may also be putting some pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg, triggering chronic tingling or numbness along its path -- a condition called sciatica. But it's usually not serious, it won't affect the baby and it will likely become less intense as he shifts around in there.

With the above pregnancy discomforts, I've been feeling some shortness of breath lately while I lay in bed, but some other nights no. Major pregnancy discomforts are lower back pains (left tailbone) which I'd been experiencing as early as my pregnancy started, which I also feel on my right at times. I have also some minor upper tummy spasms when I walk or when I lay in bed. Also some Braxton Hicks contractions at times but seldom. 

Frequent urination, lucky that I don't have to wake up in the evening from time to time, it's only when I woke up in the morning. Maybe because  I don't drink that much anymore before going to bed. Overall, feeling good at this stage despite these common pregnancy discomforts. Thanks be to God!

Days left to birth: 65 days left (77% of your pregnancy is completed)

Due date: 23 November 2017

Data Sources: Babycenter, The Bump, What To Expect, Parents.com, Due Date Calculator (YourDueDate.com)