In this article you will be able to read about everything related to being pregnant in week 31. You will find information about the baby's development, how the mother's body is changing and tips you may need along the way.

Baby: Now the fetus gains about 200 g a week

The fetus is about 43 cm long and weighs about 1.6 kg! This week, the baby's eye color will be decided - what do you think it will be? 

Development
From now until delivery, your baby will gain about 200 grams a week. Therefore, you will probably notice that your belly is growing at a faster rate now than it has done before. The size of your baby depends partly on genes, but also on the size of the placenta and its capacity. What affects the capacity of the placenta is incredibly complex, what we can say is that if you live a very unhealthy life during pregnancy (for example, smoking, taking drugs or consuming alcohol), the placenta tends not to grow as it would otherwise. The vessels that transport nutrients to the fetus and waste products from the fetus may then have a poorer flow.

During this week, the bones start to harden. In previous weeks, red blood cells have been produced in the liver and spleen, but now the fetus starts to produce its own red blood cells in the bone marrow. The red blood cells and hemoglobin are responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body. 

Lanugo hair
The fetus's body used to be covered in lanugo hair to maintain the right body temperature. Now this hair is slowly disappearing as the brain and fat cells control body temperature instead. Some babies are born with some lanugo hair left on their body, especially if the baby is born a few weeks early, but also after BF. This will disappear a few weeks after birth.

The Symfys fundus measure
During pregnancy, the midwife will measure your belly and the so-called symphysis-fundus (SF) measurement, which is the measurement from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. If the measurement deviates from its curve, i.e. if it decreases or increases at a rapid rate, you may have a growth ultrasound. This measures the baby's growth and the amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac to ensure that everything looks normal. It is relatively common to have a growth ultrasound in the last weeks of pregnancy, so if your midwife suggests one, don't worry. 

Mom: Pregnant in week 31

In about 70 days you will be a MOM! How does it feel? 

Ligament pain
Do you feel a radiating pain from the uterus down to the groin and labia? This is called ligament pain and occurs when the uterus grows and the ligaments running from the uterus down to the groin slowly stretch out.

These ligaments also run laterally from the uterus to the back, so you may feel growing pains or tightness in these areas of the body. This is because there is pressure from the ligaments and uterus against various nerves. The feeling usually goes away after a little while!

It may help to do slow push-ups, twists and turns, or to gently stretch and extend the part of the body that is in pain. This is a natural part of pregnancy and the pain will pass after the birth.

Breastfeeding
If you have not yet thought about or decided whether or not to breastfeed, it can be helpful to discuss with your midwife and your partner what seems best for you and your baby. Taking a breastfeeding class, reading up on breastfeeding, attending a lecture, watching videos or seeking information in other ways can also be helpful to gain a better understanding of breastfeeding and the whole process.

It is always a good idea to be informed about breastfeeding before giving birth and the so-called fourth trimester. This will give you a better understanding of what help is available, how breast milk is produced in terms of supply and demand, the work involved in breastfeeding, etc. It will make it easier to make informed choices about feeding your baby. It is important that you have this opportunity and that you remember that in the end it is you who decides what you want to do!

If you are feeling anxious about becoming a breastfeeding mother, there is good counseling available through your midwife. Remember that all feelings are justified in this major life transition.

Thoughts on becoming a mother
As you approach your first birthday, it's common for thoughts and concerns about parenting to start taking shape or growing. You may be thinking a lot about your own mother, your parents, your childhood and comparing what you want to emulate - or do completely differently. It can be good to realize that you don't need to know everything about parenting right away. Let it take shape as you adjust to your new life as a mom. You will soon realize what is important to you and perhaps gain new insights into the kind of parent you want to be. Parenting is a lifelong learning process and you will constantly gain new insights and learn new things together with your child. 

You can read about week 30 here.

You can read about week 32 here.