🤰 Welcome to Week 31 of Pregnancy!
You’re now well into your third trimester and in the eighth month of your pregnancy journey. Your belly is round, your baby is growing fast, and emotions are running high — both in awe and in anticipation.
Let’s take a closer look at what week 31 holds for you and your little one.
🌟 Baby Development at Week 31
At 31 weeks, your baby is:
- The size of a coconut 🥥 (about 16 inches long and around 1.5 to 1.7 kg)
- Putting on fat to regulate body temperature after birth.
- Practicing breathing movements with amniotic fluid (lungs are maturing!).
- Experiencing active brain development with increased neural connections.
- Capable of perceiving light, sound, and even touch more clearly now.
💡 Fun Fact: Your baby might now respond to music, your voice, or even a flashlight held to your belly!
💬 Common Symptoms in Week 31
You’re feeling a mix of awe, exhaustion, and excitement. Here’s what might be happening in your body:
| Symptom | Why It Happens | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Stronger Baby Kicks | Baby has less room, but more muscle! | Track movements. Call your doctor if you feel less activity. |
| Braxton Hicks Contractions | Uterus is prepping for labor | Stay hydrated. Change position to relieve. |
| Shortness of Breath | Uterus is pressing against lungs | Stand straight, sleep with extra pillows |
| Frequent Urination | Baby’s head may be pressing the bladder | Go when you need. Don’t hold it. |
| Leaky Breasts | Colostrum production has started | Use breast pads in your bra |
| Swollen Feet/Ankles | Circulatory changes + water retention | Elevate feet, wear comfy shoes, hydrate well |
🧘♀️ Self-Care Tips for Week 31
- Practice gentle yoga or stretching to ease backaches.
- Stay cool—literally! Third-trimester heat flushes are real.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid heartburn and bloating.
- Wear a belly support band if back pain is getting worse.
- Do a mini nesting spree: Organize baby clothes, clean bottles, or prep the nursery—it’s calming and purposeful.
📝 Things To Do This Week
✅ Schedule your 32-week prenatal checkup
✅ Finalize birth plan preferences (pain meds, birthing positions, partner involvement, etc.)
✅ Begin packing your hospital bag
✅ Consider maternity leave timeline and paperwork
✅ Talk to your partner about postpartum support
✅ Explore infant CPR or childbirth classes (online or local)
🛍️ Helpful Products for Week 31
From belly bands to back pillows, find everything that eases your third trimester.
❤️ Emotional Health Check
It’s completely okay to feel:
- Anxious about labor
- Exhausted and irritable
- Overwhelmed with physical changes
Talk about it. Share with your partner, a friend, or a support group. Emotional validation is important. This phase is beautiful, but also intense.
💬 “Growing a human is hard. Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing beautifully.”
📌 Quick Tips for Week 31
- Avoid lying flat on your back while sleeping — it can restrict blood flow.
- Keep a kick count chart — 10 kicks in 2 hours is a healthy sign.
- Drink plenty of water and watch salt intake to minimize swelling.
- Get enough iron and calcium in your diet — baby’s bones are hardening.
- Say “yes” to support and “no” to pressure.
