Pregnant: What happens in the 31st week of pregnancy

The development of your baby in the 31st week of pregnancy

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

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

Lung maturation progresses: From week 31, your baby is able to to fully inflate its lungs. This is an important step on the way to independent breathing. The production of the surface-active surfactant protein increases significantly again this week and prevents the tiny air sacs in the lungs from sticking together.

15-20 hours of sleep: That's how much your baby sleeps each day. It prefers to be rocked to sleep by your movement. If you give yourself a break, it wakes up and becomes active. Even though you now feel the baby's movements more as kicks or little punches, you can still notice a regular sleep–wake rhythm.

Lanugo hair continues to shed: The protective downy hair that has protected your child in recent weeks is now shedding more. In return, the scalp hair continues to grow vigorously and eyebrows and eyelashes are fully grown.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In the last trimester, your baby uses this time to put on significant weight. 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 has more to go in terms of length: Right now it is about 40 to 42 cm tall, 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. Just a few weeks left and you'll hold your little miracle in your arms. This also means your body continues to prepare for delivery. Your pelvic area is loosening and the first colostrum is on its way. Also your belly continues to grow steadily – therefore everything you undertake can be quite exhausting. Which pregnancy complaints you still need to expect, you can find out 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, as a precaution, see a doctor. Because now even mild pathogens can reach your baby.

Tired feet: Feet carry you for a lifetime, as they say. Now in pregnancy they also carry the weight of your baby. High-heeled shoes therefore become increasingly uncomfortable. Our tip: Switch to flat shoes with soft footbeds for the last months until birth, this will make everyday life easier. Foot baths \rand 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 of pregnancy your breasts are probably not only larger and firmer, the first drops of colostrum already wet the bra or T-shirt in some women this week. How much milk leaks before birth, however, has nothing to do with your ability to breastfeed. So don't stress if you don't need nursing pads yet.

A fit body: The due date comes closer with the 31st week of pregnancy – 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 it harder during childbirth is long outdated. Rather, your body is then better prepared for the upcoming strain. Maybe you've been keeping fit for a few weeks with light jogging. With a large belly, many women now find aqua fitness or pregnancy yoga particularly pleasant.

Headaches: Make sure not to overexert yourselves. Because with the big belly your body is no longer as capable. Go slowly and take more breaks. If you are already struggling with headaches,

cold forehead compresses can help. Particularly important is also the Nutrition during pregnancy, because this now also nourishes 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 go with your baby to regular check-ups. 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 who 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 – is intended to 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 purposefully to stimuli, such a course is useful towards the end of pregnancy. Many mothers also feel relieved after a haptonomy course, because the father can thereby build a deeper bond \rand take on more emotional responsibility for the child.

For the 32nd week of pregnancy