Pregnant: What happens in week 31

Your baby's development in the 31st week of pregnancy

Developed senses: In the 31st week of pregnancy, all the senses of your little human are now fully developed – it can already smell, taste, see, hear, and feel.

Less space: Your baby is already too big in week 31 to tumble around in your belly. It is, however still very active and its movements are more purposeful. It, for example, sucks its thumb, plays with the umbilical cord, and stretches. For the mother, it may seem like her baby is moving less. But don't worry: your little miracle is as active as ever.

Lung maturation is progressing: From week 31 your baby is able to fully inflate its lungs. This makes an important step toward independent breathing. Also the production of the surface-active protein surfactant increases significantly again this week and prevents the sticking together of the air sacs in the lungs.

15-20 hours of sleep: That's how much your baby sleeps every day. It prefers to be lulled to sleep by your movement. If you take a break, it wakes up and becomes active. Even if you now feel fetal movements more as kicks or punches, you can still notice a regular sleep-wake rhythm.

Lanugo hair continues to fall out: The protective down that has shielded your child in recent weeks is now falling out more. In return, the scalp hair continues to grow vigorously and the eyebrows and eyelashes are fully grown.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

The last trimester is used by your baby to gain a lot of weight once more. In the 31st week of pregnancy it weighs approximately 1,600 grams, comparable to a coconut. By birth in a few weeks it will roughly double its weight. Your child also still has some growing to do in terms of size: right now it is about 40 to 42 cm long, but will grow about 1 cm per week.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 31 of pregnancy?

You are now in the 8th month of pregnancy. Only a few more weeks and you will be holding your little miracle in your arms. This also means your body is continuing to prepare for childbirth. Your pelvic area loosens and the first colostrum is on its way. Also your belly continues to grow steadily – which is why everything you do can be quite exhausting. Which pregnancy complaints which you may still expect, you can find in the overview:

The placental barrier becomes more permeable: The blood circulations of mother and child are separated by the placental barrier. This prevents certain substances from being passed to the baby. In the 31st week of pregnancy, however, it becomes increasingly permeable because important antibodies from the mother to the fetus must be transferred.Important note: Take a mild cold or an infection seriously and consult a doctor as a precaution. Because now even mild pathogens can reach your baby.

Tired feet: They say feet carry you for a lifetime. Now in pregnancy they also bear the weight of your baby. High heels therefore become increasingly uncomfortable. Our tip: For the last months until birth, simply switch to flat shoes with soft insoles, that will make everyday life easier. Foot baths and a pleasant massage from your partner relieve your strained feet a little.

The first milk: Already in the 16th week of pregnancy the milk production began. In week 31 your breasts are probably not only larger and firmer, also the first drops of colostrum may already wet the bra or T-shirt in some women this week. How much milk leaks before breastfeeding does not have anything to do with your ability to breastfeed. So don't stress if you don't yet need nursing pads.

A fit body: The due date gets closer with week 31 – there are only about 9 weeks left. For your body, childbirth is one of the most strenuous experiences it will ever have to master. The idea that trained women have more difficulty during childbirth is long outdated. Rather, your body will then be better prepared for the upcoming strain. Maybe you have been keeping fit with light jogging for a few weeks. With a large belly, many women now find aqua exercise or prenatal yoga particularly pleasant.

Headaches: Be careful not to overexert yourself. Because your body is not as capable with the large belly. Go slowly and take more breaks. If you are already struggling with headaches, cold forehead compresses

help you. Particularly important is also the nutrition during pregnancy, because it now also supplies your baby. Also make sure to drink enough water, as dehydration can also lead to headaches.

Important appointments in the 31st week of pregnancy

Find a pediatrician: After birth you will regularly go with your baby to checkups. Now is a good time to look for a pediatrician in your area to search. If you start early enough, you can take your time to look around and find a doctor whom you can entrust your child to with a clear conscience.
Attend a haptonomy course: Several midwifery practices now offer haptonomy courses for couples. These are specifically designed for expectant fathers. Haptonomy – the science of touch – should also give fathers an emotional and physical bond to their unborn child. In the courses you learn to perceive your child consciously. Since the baby now reacts more sensitively and deliberately to stimuli, such a course useful towards the end of pregnancy. Many mothers also feel relieved after a haptonomy course, because the father can thereby build a deeper relationship and take on more emotional responsibility for the child.

For the 32nd week of pregnancy