Your Pregnancy at Week 31

You are now in your 31st week and almost completing your seventh month of pregnancy. It must be exciting, as you have roughly nine weeks to go. Hang in there!!! Your baby is becoming smart and is starting to behave independently.

Baby Development at Week 31

Your baby can now turn their head from side to side and might be moving so much with kicks and flips that it's affecting your sleep. Rest assured, this activity is a sign of a healthy and active baby. They also develop a layer of fat under their skin, giving them a more newborn-like appearance. Over the next few weeks, your baby will continue to gain weight. ⁽³⁾

Their eyes are still developing, and now the pupils can adjust to light coming through the uterus. The eyelids will likely open when your baby is awake and close during sleep. At 31 weeks, your baby sleeps longer, so you might notice a pattern in their movements. Their brain is also becoming more active, allowing them to process information from their senses. While your baby can't smell much, they can taste and sense the foods you eat through the amniotic fluid. 

At 31 weeks, your baby's eyes can begin to focus rather than just respond to light, as they have since the second trimester. After birth, they won't immediately see or track moving objects like adults; this skill develops over the first few months.

Meanwhile, your baby's brain works intensely, rapidly forming connections between nerve cells. It's processing information, tracking light, and receiving signals from all their senses. ⁽⁹⁾

Body Changes at Week 31

At 31 weeks pregnant, your baby's head is likely pressing on your bladder, leading to more frequent urination. This issue can be worse at night as the fluid that causes swelling in your legs and feet during the day shifts to your bladder. On the bright side, you might find that your ankles look less swollen by morning.

Frequent trips to the toilet can disrupt your sleep, so try to rest and take naps during the day if possible. Your body is preparing for breastfeeding, and you may have recently noticed some colostrum, your baby's first milk, leaking from your nipples. If this happens, nursing pads in your bra can help protect your clothes. Don't worry if you haven't seen colostrum yet; your breasts are still producing it.

Clumsiness is common at this stage of pregnancy due to weight gain, changes in posture, and reduced concentration. To avoid falls, be cautious, avoid wearing slippery shoes or socks, and be careful on any slick surfaces.

Baby Bump At Week 31

Even though you might feel quite large, your bump still has room to grow. Your midwife will measure your uterus from the top of your bump to the top of your pubic bone to ensure everything progresses normally.

Your midwife may also check your baby's position. By this stage, your baby might be head down, which is ideal for birth. If they are, you may have felt their movements as they settled into this position, and your bump might appear lower. If your baby isn't head down yet, there's still time for them to turn, but your midwife will monitor their position as a breech presentation can make delivery more challenging.

Your midwife might also mention if your baby's head is engaged, meaning it has moved into the pelvis in preparation for birth. This usually happens between 34 and 38 weeks, but if you've given birth before, it may not occur until labour begins.

Pregnancy Concerns at Week 31

UTIs are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in your body. Progesterone, the hormone that helps maintain your pregnancy, relaxes the muscles in the tubes connecting your kidneys to your bladder, which slows down urine flow. This gives bacteria more time to grow before being flushed out, potentially leading to a UTI. Symptoms of a UTI include a stinging or burning sensation when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, pain in your back or lower abdomen, a high temperature, shivering, nausea, vomiting, or blood in your urine.

Sometimes, a UTI can occur without noticeable symptoms, so your midwife will routinely check your urine. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is crucial, as UTIs can increase the risk of preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, premature birth, or low birth weight.^(10)(7)

You should always inform your healthcare provider if you experience severe pain during pregnancy. This week, you might start feeling Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are harmless practice contractions that prepare your body for labour. These contractions typically last a minute or two, but if they become longer, more frequent, or more intense, contact your doctor, as it could indicate early labour.

While it's best for babies to be born at 40 weeks, most babies born after 31 weeks have a good chance of surviving and thriving, though they may need care in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Preeclampsia, a potentially serious condition that can affect both you and your baby, is more likely to develop now, though it can occur earlier or even after childbirth. This condition may not always show clear symptoms. If you monitor your blood pressure at home and get readings of 140/90 mm Hg or higher twice within four hours, seek medical advice. Preeclampsia can also cause organ damage, particularly to the kidneys. If you don't have a home blood pressure monitor and experience severe headaches, pain in your upper right abdomen, vision changes, or nausea, contact your doctor immediately or go to an emergency department. ⁽⁶⁾

Advice for Partners

Caring for a new baby involves a lot of responsibility, which can make you feel worried or anxious. One way to help with these feelings is to be prepared for emergencies. You might want to take a class on infant CPR and first aid to learn how to handle potential problems. You can find these classes at local community centres or by asking your partner's healthcare provider for recommendations.

While caring for your pregnant partner, it's also important to look after your health. When the baby arrives, you'll need plenty of energy, so focus on eating a balanced diet and staying active. Schedule a routine health checkup with your healthcare provider to ensure your immunisations are current and that you're healthy.

Pregnancy Checklist for Week 31 

• If you plan to place your baby in daycare and haven't arranged it yet, visit some daycare facilities this week. It will be more convenient to visit the centres without your baby.

• Go over your packing checklist and prepare your bag with all the essentials for your hospital stay. Keep it in an accessible spot and inform your partner about its location.

• Monitor your baby's movements by tracking their usual patterns. This helps you detect any changes that might require medical attention. Try to feel at least 10 movements within two hours.

• Now is an excellent time to socialise with friends or family or enjoy a special dinner date with your partner before the baby arrives. Once your little one is here, you will focus on them for the next few months!

• If you're interested in natural childbirth, research how to prepare for a natural delivery. If it's a feasible option, according to your healthcare provider, consider alternative pain relief methods and how your birth partner or doula can support you.