31 Weeks Pregnant and Baby Is Kicking Really Hard

Week 31 – your third trimester

This might be hard to believe, but you are almost there! You're very unlikely to go beyond another 9 or 10 weeks. You could have your baby in just 6 weeks, and this would not be considered early.

What's happening in my body?

Your baby and bump are still growing. In a couple of weeks, you will both go through a final growth spurt. Your baby still has lots of fattening up to do before the big day arrives.

If this is your first baby, then your midwife or doctor will probably get out a measuring tape and check the size of your womb. This can be estimated by measuring up your stomach, from the top of your pubic bone, to the top of your bump.

They will also gently feel your pregnant belly to work out which way up your baby is positioned. Some babies will be head down, ready for birth. You may have felt your baby move into place and seen your bump shift downwards.

If your baby is head up, then there's still plenty of time for your little one to do a big somersault and get into position. Some babies will not move down into the pelvis ("engage") until labour starts.

If your baby stays head up, in the "breech" position, that could affect the type of birth you are able to have. In some cases, if the baby is in an awkward position, or the placenta is blocking their way down, then a caesarean may be recommended. You will be able to talk through the risks and benefits with your midwife or doctor before making your decision.

Keeping abreast: the lowdown on breastfeeding

Right now, your baby will be practising sucking, which is a vital skill for feeding. Have you thought how you would like to feed your baby?

Breastfeeding gets your baby off to a flying start because:

• breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight infections
• your baby is less likely to get stomach bugs and develop breathing problems
• it's available whenever your baby needs it

Find out more about breastfeeding.

There are lots of ways your partner can support you, such as bringing you drinks while you feed your baby.

Unfortunately not every woman is able to breastfeed. There may be health reasons why you can't, for example if you are taking medication that could go into your breast milk, or if you're recovering from surgery. You can still get your baby off to a great start, with bottles of formula and lots of love and cuddles!

Baby sling safety

Many parents use a sling or baby carrier instead of a pram to keep their baby close to them. If you decide to use a sling, make sure you know how to use it safely, as a small number of deaths from suffocation have been linked to slings.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises the safest slings are the ones that hold your baby solidly against your body, in an upright position. Make sure you can see your baby, that their face is not restricted, and their airways are always clear.

The T.I.C.K.S rule to keep your baby safe when wearing a sling or carrier is:

T – Tight

I – In view at all times

C – Close enough to kiss

K – Keep chin off the chest

S – Supported back

Read more about sling safety and the T.I.C.K.S rule on the RoSPA website.

Third trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 31 weeks)

Are you getting fake contractions? You may feel your bump tighten up for 20 to 30 seconds, then relax again (it should not hurt). These are known as Braxton Hicks contractions and often referred to as "practice contractions". These are perfectly normal and harmless. However, if they're painful, or you start to get them at regular intervals, it could be a sign of early labour, so contact your midwife or doctor.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

• sleeping problems
• stretch marks
• swollen and bleeding gums
• pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ('round ligament pains')
• piles
• headaches
• backache
• indigestion and heartburn
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the 'mask of pregnancy'
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair
• symptoms from earlier weeks, caused by pregnancy hormones, such as mood swings, morning sickness, weird pregnancy cravings, a heightened sense of smell, sore or leaky breasts, a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Tommy's the baby charity has produced a pregnancy guide with a further list of symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 41.1cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 1.5kg. That's approximately the size and weight of a coconut.

Your baby is very active, moving around, sucking their fingers, and doing the odd somersault. Day by day, your baby is getting plumper and looking less wrinkled. The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby is increasing – and that's due to your baby peeing into it!

Your baby will start to recognise voices outside the womb, so encourage your partner and any other children to talk to your bump, to help create a strong bond between them.

Action stations

For the first few months, you'll need a crib, carry cot or Moses basket. If you're borrowing a cot, then ideally you'll need a new mattress. It should fit snugly with no gaps and be clean and waterproof. Do not use pillows or duvets, as they can cause your baby to overheat or even suffocate. Instead, get a baby sleeping bag or layer up with light blankets.

Read more tips on what to buy.

This week you could also...

You have maternity rights and if you're worried about your safety at work, then talk to your employer. You shouldn't be lugging anything around, and you may need extra breaks and somewhere to sit. You can also attend antenatal appointments during paid work time.

It's a good time to tone up those muscles 'down under'. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze, cough or jump around on your future baby's trampoline. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stop the 'urine' in midflow. Visit Tommys.org for more ideas.

We can usually get enough vitamin D from sunlight, but between October and March it's best to take a vitamin D supplement every day. Just 10 micrograms is all you need (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). It's worth checking if you're entitled to free vitamins.

Get moving! It's recommended that pregnant women do 150 minutes of exercise throughout the week. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

Don't eat for two! Eat for you. Now you're in the third trimester, you may need an extra 200 calories a day, but that's not much. It's about the same as two slices of wholemeal toast and margarine.

Try and eat healthily with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family. You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't bottle it up – you're important, so ask for help if you need it!

Getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind! However now is a good time to start planning what type of contraception you would like to use after your baby is born. Making this decision when you're pregnant will give you one less thing to think about when you're looking after a newborn baby. Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than you realise and too short a gap between babies is known to cause problems. Talk to your GP or midwife to help you decide and get everything in place.

This week's treat

Friends can be a brilliant support in pregnancy and beyond, so why not make a real effort to chat to some of your friends this week? You could phone a friend or have a video call so you can see each other. You could even plan a virtual baby shower!

Go back to week 30

Go to week 32

31 Weeks Pregnant and Baby Is Kicking Really Hard

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/3rd-trimester/week-31/

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