Congratulations, you are three-fourth into your pregnancy term. Breathing can be difficult and tricky since your uterus expands to make room for your growing baby. In the meantime, it is pushing down the diaphragm.
Don’t worry, though; nothing of concern should come up. Also, on the flip side, your baby is learning new skills in the womb-like breathing and blinking. Besides wetting your t-shirt around your breasts with the colostrum, you might also experience Braxton-Hicks.
In this Article
What Changes will my Body Undergo?
As you near your due date, your baby is growing rapidly, taking up more space inside you. The uterus grows and expands, pushing down sharply on the diaphragm and the bladder. So, frequent urination is a prevalent symptom during this week. Don’t be embarrassed if you accidentally pee while sneezing.
Issues surrounding frequent urination or incontinence are common during and even after pregnancy. There’s nothing you have to worry about.
Once you are fit as a feeble, indulge in some Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. While your body was preparing colostrum in the previous few weeks, you might start noticing it leaking from your breasts. Wear nipple covers to prevent that.
What changes will my baby undergo?
Your baby now measures 15 3/4 inches from the crown to the heel. And they weigh 3 3/4 pounds, which is around 1.7 kg.
If you are going for a scan, ask your ultrasound technician to check the baby’s eyes and blink. Week 31 is when your baby practices blinking for when they are delivered later. They will blink quite slowly, around 6-15 times per hour.
Your baby is also practicing their breathing skills, and their lungs are now performing at 40% efficiency, which is a lot more than in previous weeks.
The baby will eventually lose their lanugo and move to thumb-sucking as part of their soothing reflexes. These movements often pop up during the ultrasound scan.
Also Read: https://pregajunction.com/blog/types-of-baby-delivery-during-pregnancy/
What kind of symptoms will I experience?
The range of symptoms during Week 31 isn’t much different from the previous few weeks. Your breasts are preparing for eventual breastfeeding, and you are likely experiencing mild contractions too.
Some common symptoms in Week 31 include:
- Leaking breasts
- Braxton-Hicks contraction
- Breathlessness
- Frequent urination
- Cramps in the legs
- Backache
- Constipation
- Hemorrhoids
The symptoms will eventually subside as you near your delivery date and completely disappear once the baby meets you Earthside.
Also Read: https://pregajunction.com/blog/week-30-pregnancy-symptoms/
What should I prepare for this week?
Third trimester weeks can be hard on the mother. But, prioritize self-care during these rough and testing few weeks. If you feel like doing nothing and lounging around, do that. If you feel like talking to a therapist, prioritize that too. Do what you think is the right decision for you and the baby.
Some of the potent self-care tips include:
- Wear nipple pads to prevent leaking from the breasts.
- Discuss Braxton-Hicks contraction with your doctor to better understand handling it.
- You can talk to a lactation professional to educate yourself about breastfeeding once the baby is here.
- Engage in safe physical exercises, yoga, and activities.
- Eat a balanced meal.
- Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
