31 Weeks Pregnant

What to expect at 31 weeks pregnant? Starting with week 31, your baby is heading into a growth spurt! Can you imagine that you’re just 9 weeks away from delivery? Your tiny human is gaining weight at a faster pace than he lengthens, and soon he’ll have those adorable chubby cheeks that you’ll absolutely love kissing. He’s around 14 to 16 inches long (head to heels), and weighs between 2 to 3 pounds (growing rates vary). Soon, he’ll run out of room as he piles on fat, and all his kicks and somersaults will radiate through your belly! The excitement will grow as D-day approaches. Below you’ll find what you need to know about week 31 of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 31 Weeks

Pregnancy Symptoms at 31 Weeks

What to Expect:

• Have you started experiencing uterus contractions yet? Many pregnant women experience random contractions, also known as the Braxton Hicks contractions, starting with week 31. They usually last an average of 30 seconds or so, and they’re irregular and painless at this point. If your contractions are more frequent, then this might be a sign of preterm labor. Have an emergency number handy, just in case your baby decides to hit the outside world earlier than planned.

• Other signs of preterm labor include increased vaginal discharge that’s watery, mucus-like, bloody, blood-tinged, or pink, period-like cramps, low back pain, and pressure in the pelvic area.

• Does your bra feel slightly wet? That’s because your breasts are producing colostrum, known as premilk. Tuck some nursing pads into your bra to prevent wetting your clothes, or ditch your usual bra in favor of a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. You may also feel tired as your due date approaches. Your digestion is probably slower, so you’re experiencing constipation, heartburn, and (lots of) gas lately. If your growing belly is making you very uncomfortable, ask your midwife to prescribe you an antacid.

Your Baby at 31 Weeks

How big is a baby at 31 weeks? Your little one is bigger than he was last week and baby's the size of a pomelo — he now measures 14 to 16 inches long (head to heels), and weighs between 2 to 3 pounds. As fat accumulates under his skin, his body is starting to plump out and look chubbier. His arms and legs are in proportion with the rest of his body, which now has the appearance of a tinier newborn. The bone marrow is now producing red blood cells — a job that his small liver was responsible for up until this point.

His organs are still in the process of fine-tuning, including his bladder, which is now passing water through it. As his eyesight improves, your baby knows when it’s dark and when it’s light, and can even turn his head in response to light. His aerobics inside your womb are probably making it difficult for you to sleep — but the good part is that all these movements show that your baby is healthy and active. Your care provider or midwife has probably suggested you to keep a “kick chart” — basically, a chart that lists down how many kicks you feel in an hour. This is helpful for spotting changes in your baby’s activity — for example, a decrease in kicking means your baby doesn’t have enough energy.

Ultrasound Images of 31 Week Pregnancy

Bellies at 31 Weeks

Pregnancy Tips

• Are your clothes feeling tighter now? If yes, then go ahead and switch to larger shirts and pants — you’ll love the extra room! Consider investing in a nursing bra if you keep wetting your bra (and clothes) with colostrum. Make sure to get plenty of rest — you’ll feel increasingly tired as your baby (and belly) grows, so don’t engage in any activity that’s too exhausting.
• Tip of the week: interview a doula or labor coach. It’s easier to sleep at night when you know that someone you trust is always there in case you go into labor in the middle of the night!