31 Weeks Pregnant

What Happens During the 31st Week of Pregnancy?

When you are 31 weeks pregnant, numerous changes happen to you. They range from hormonal to bodily changes that can impact you tremendously. Here, we will look into these changes in detail.

Hormonal Changes and Other Symptoms

During this time, you might notice that fluid is being released from the breasts, and this leakage is common for most women. It is known as colostrum, which contains proteins, fat, minerals, and other components. If you have any queries, you can always speak with your medical practitioner and seek assistance. Other than that, back pain is yet another concern that can impact you at this time. It is because of the increase in your body weight due to your pregnancy.

Digestive issues can also persist while you are 31 weeks pregnant. Here, constipation can be a concern that affects you because of a decrease in bowel movements. Here, increasing the intake of fiber can help resolve the issue to some extent.

However, constipation occurs due to the water absorption increase, pelvic vessel congestion leading to abdominal pressure. All these factors can pave the way for hemorrhoids as well during your pregnancy.

Other than that, frequent urination is an issue that can happen because of the bladder pressing down. The pressure from the uterus can also pave the way for heartburn. Another factor paving the way for this is the hormone progesterone. This hormone will have an impact on the effectiveness of the sphincters.

Because of the increase in your body weight, there is a chance of being exhausted. It can lead to breathlessness and tiredness. These are the main changes that can happen to you during the 31st week of pregnancy.

Bodily Changes

Similar to the previous weeks, numerous changes are happening to you during this time of pregnancy. One of the noticeable changes is the increase in your belly size. Due to this change, you might see that stretch marks are appearing on your body. However, it can happen to most women during pregnancy, and the chances of having them increase, especially when your mother has them. But, you don't have to be concerned about the presence of stretch marks, as there are several ways through which you can take care of them. Besides, these stretch marks will be running down your belly during pregnancy.

At this time of pregnancy, the size of your uterus has increased tremendously. It is measurable from the pelvic bone to your navel. Besides, it will develop till it is 45 inches above your belly button. Other than that, during this time of pregnancy, your body will form Braxton Hicks Contractions. Here, your uterus might be feeling tight. But, if the contractions are around six per hour, it can be a sign of preterm labor. Hence, it is best to speak with your doctor to acquire expert advice on the same.

Fetal Development

During this time, your baby will weigh around three pounds and be 16 to 18 inches long. Besides, it is a time when your baby is ready to step into the real world. It means that if you are to deliver your bundle of joy at this time, it might not be a concern. Most importantly, in this time, your baby's five senses have developed completely, and Your little one's eyes will have also formed and will be able to perceive light. Here, your baby's eyes can dilate and contract as well. When it comes to your little one's ears, your baby will be in a position to hear things properly and distinguish different sounds.

When it comes to your baby's nose, your little one will be able to smell things. Besides, your little one will start playing with the nose, toes, umbilical code, etc. Other than that, your baby will be sucking its thumbs and opening the mouth. Besides, brain processing will also be taking place during this time. Here, your little one will be in a position to process signals that come from different sense organs. Your little one's cerebral development will also be taking place at a high rate. Another significant change occurring to your baby is that the cranial connections will be increasing rapidly. During this stage, your little one will be spending a lot of time sleeping. These are the main changes happening to your baby during this time of pregnancy.

Things to Take Care of During the 31st Week

In this week of pregnancy, you have to look into your diet, physical, and mental health. Besides, ensure that you keep your doctor posted about any updates happening. Through this, you can enhance your last weeks of pregnancy and reduce the risks, if any, associated with your pregnancy. Here, we will look into the different ways by which you can take care of yourself and your little one in the 31st week of pregnancy.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet

The food items you have during your pregnancy have a pivotal role to play in enhancing your well-being. Here, drinking plenty of water is also essential, which is an excellent way to keep yourself hydrated. You have to focus on drinking at least eight-ounce glasses of water regularly. Other than water, you can improve your intake of fluids by including fruit juices, smoothies, soups, etc. However, even then, ensure that you don't drink any alcohol, and it is also beneficial to avoid having drinks with caffeine in them. When you have an ample amount of fluids while pregnant, it will assist in reducing the fatigue you might be having while you are pregnant. Apart from that, it will be helpful to have vegetables and fruits in your diet. You have to include whole-grain bread, low-fat dairy products, lean meat, fish items, etc. When it comes to fish, make sure that the ones you select have a low mercury content in them.

Enhancing Physical Health

Similar to the previous weeks, you have to make sure that you take good care of your physical health. Here, you can take part in light workouts, which include walking. Other than that, you can try out yoga and pilates as part of enhancing your well-being. However, here, you have to focus on including pregnancy-friendly exercises into your routine. You can speak with your doctor or trainer to understand the type of exercises you can engage in.

For instance, when you perform exercises like yoga and pilates, it can be helpful for you during the time of labor and delivery. Since you might have challenges in sleeping, exercising can be beneficial for you. Through this, you can enhance your sleep quality and reduce the chances of having anxiety and stress. When it comes to physical benefits, it helps overcome back pain, breathing issues, nausea, headaches. These are some of the benefits associated with exercising, especially when you are pregnant.

Working on Your Mental Health

Mental health is something that you have to work on similar to your physical health. Since a lot of changes happen to you during this time of pregnancy, it can have a drastic impact on your well-being. However, if you have the right amount of support from your family, friends, and loved ones, you can navigate through this.

If you think you need support from a medical professional, you shouldn't hesitate to request help. You can speak with your doctor, who can refer you to a counselor or therapist. Besides, if you have had concerns beforehand, you have to continue your medication and treatment.

Speak with Your Doctor

During this time of pregnancy, you might have sudden headaches, blurred vision, and similar issues. These can be symptoms of preeclampsia, which is a complication you have to take care of. Other than that, you have to be considerate about Braxton Hicks's contractions, and if there is an increase in their frequency, you have to speak with your doctor.

Other Tips

Here are a few other tips that can help you while you are 31 weeks pregnant.