Pregnancy Calendar Week 31

By pregnancy calendar week 31, your baby weighs approximately 3.5 pounds and measures roughly 19 inches long. Since most newborns weigh roughly 7.5 pounds and measure between 19 and 21 inches long, this means that your baby will gain a massive amount of weight during the last few weeks of your pregnancy.

Although your baby’s lungs are still growing, most of his/her other body systems have completely developed. For example, by pregnancy calendar week 31, your baby’s nerve cells and connections are complete. This means that he/she can feel pain.

If you’re not already in the habit of performing daily kick counts, now is a good time to begin. Your baby’s uterine home is becoming more cramped by the day, but he/she should still move on a fairly regular basis. A good rule of thumb is that your baby should be moving about ten times in an hour. If you're baby does not move this much, try a sugary snack such as orange juice, and lay down for a bit. Try to count movements again. If your baby is still moving less frequently than normal, contact your healthcare provider for further testing.

During pregnancy calendar week 31, it’s common for women to notice increased urinary frequency. Since it’s possible for an inflamed bladder to irritate the uterus and set off contractions, make it a point to use the restroom as soon as you feel the need to go.

Up to 15 percent of pregnant women experience restless leg syndrome during the third trimester. This condition is characterized by a crawling, tingling, or creeping sensation inside the legs or feet. Although it can strike anytime you’re sitting or lying down, restless leg syndrome causes the most discomfort during the evening hours. Since the medications currently used to treat restless leg syndrome are not approved for use during pregnancy, eating a well-balanced diet filled with iron-rich foods and reducing your stress levels is the best way to find relief.

Other common symptoms during pregnancy calendar week 31 include difficulty sleeping, dizziness, a mild swelling of the ankles or feet, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, constipation, and bloating. In addition to the physical symptoms of pregnancy, you may notice that you’re feeling increasingly excited, apprehensive, and/or absentminded. As always, you should discuss any usual pregnancy symptoms with your healthcare provider.

As you approach your due date, you may be feeling nervous at the prospect of a possibly painful labor. While childbirth is a natural experience, it’s not intended to be test of bravery or endurance.

Some women opt for a drug-free labor, while others prefer to use an epidural block, narcotics, or other pain-relief medications. Since every childbirth experience is unique, it’s important to be aware of your pain-relief options and the potential side effects and risks of any medications you choose to use.

While it’s a great idea to research your pain-relief options before your delivery, it is impossible to predict what type of birth experience you will have. For this reason, it’s best to avoid any preconceived notions regarding pain-relief. You may find that relaxation techniques make labor manageable or you may find that an epidural is necessary. Either way, the health and well-being of both you and your baby should remain your number one priority.

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