Pregnancy Week - 31 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Week 30< >Pregnancy Week by Week Guide< >Pregnancy Week 32	Share |

Pregnancy Week 31

**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from the date of your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.

Week 31

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is busy accumulating layers of fat under his skin as you continue your pregnancy week by week. The arms, legs, and body start to fill out and will look less wrinkly as each week progresses. Your baby may be finding the space in your womb tighter and tighter by 31 weeks pregnant. You may also feel more and more uncomfortable as your baby continues to grow and the space in your womb decreases.

Though your baby's movements should continue to be strong, they will likely be less dramatic and sporadic at this point in your pregnancy. You may also see an arm slowly moving across your belly. You will probably start realizing just how strong your unborn baby is from here on out. Kicks and sudden movement changes may cause you to gasp unexpectedly, much to the delight and amazement of onlookers.

Your Growth and Development
By the time you reach 31 weeks, your uterus will measure about 4 and a half inches from your bellybutton. You may find that you have some trouble catching a good breath now and again. Remember to take things easy as you continue your pregnancy week by week and as you grow and develop during the last few weeks of pregnancy. If you have been exercising regularly, you may what to engage in lighter workouts. If you haven't already, consider some prenatal yoga or stretching exercises in these last few weeks prior to delivery. Yoga is well known for preparing the body for labor and helping to strengthen and relax the muscles and ligaments in the body.

Changes in You
You may be more and more aware of your breast changes as your pregnancy progresses during the third trimester. Some women may start to leak colostrum, which is the pre-milk that your breasts form to nourish your newborn baby during the first few days of life. Colostrum can be clear or slightly tinged with yellow or even orange. While some women will not notice colostrum until they approach delivery, others will start leaking earlier in pregnancy.

Colostrum can be particularly beneficial for pre-term infants. It is rich in antibodies and nutrients that can help protect your baby from dangerous infections and other complications during the first few weeks of life.

Some women are concerned at the amount of leaking they experience during this time. If you do start leaking, take heart, as this is perfectly normal. The best thing you can do is invest in some nursing pads so you don't leak through your clothes. Take any leaking as a great sign that your breasts will be armed and ready to feed your newborn baby when he makes his appearance into the world.

Pregnancy Pillows
Fun For Everyone

My pregnancy pillows (yes, I had two) were my best friends during pregnancy. It may sound weird, but sleep is somethimes hard to come buy when pregnant. They say that after the baby comes you won't sleep, but the truth of the matter is that most pregnant women start getting sleep deprived during the last trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes it is just too hard to get comfortable at night.

While there is nothing you can do about your little one kicking in the middle of the night, you can rest easier using a high quality pregnancy pillow like Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows .  I can't imagine not having a good pregnancy pillow during pregnancy. And now that I have two, my husband has confiscated one for his personal use. I guess pregnancy pillows are fun for everyone!
Watch our pregnancy pillows video on youtube.com.

Maternity Clothes
Maternity Shorts:
The Best Option For “Hot” Moms

Want to know the one thing all moms have in common? They are hot… no, we aren’t referring to the fact that moms look good (even though all pregnant women are gorgeous!). We are referring to the fact that most moms feel very hot while pregnant because their body temperature is higher than normal. If this feels like you, then consider adding maternity shorts to your wardrobe. If you are expecting, there is no reason you can’t wear Maternity Shorts from Destination Maternity all year round, particularly if that is what it takes to keep you cool and comfortable. So what are you waiting for?

Pregnancy Health Tips
As you approach labor and delivery, you are probably starting to think about the method of delivery you will endure. While some women prefer to have a natural delivery, others prefer an induction or even a planned cesarean section.

Cesarean delivery on maternal request, is a new and controversial women's health care topic. Some women feel that the risks of a vaginal birth may outweigh the risks of a cesarean delivery, thus they would rather opt for a cesarean. Can a woman choose to have a cesarean delivery? The answer is... YES.

As an informed mother, you have the right to assume the risks associated with cesarean delivery for the well being of your unborn child.

Women's health care rights are evolving and the definitions are changing. It is important that pregnant women actively participate in the decision making process during their pregnancy. This includes deciding the best route of delivery for their unborn baby. More and more physicians are accepting a woman's right to be involved in her healthcare and delivery decisions. In times of old, physicians bore the burden of making the majority of decisions related to their patient's health. However, more and more physicians are working intimately with patients to provide them with the information and resources they need to make sensible and safe decisions for themselves and their families.

If you do consider an elective cesarean delivery, make sure you discuss this option with your health care provider. There are many risks associated with a cesarean delivery. In some cases, it may be in your best interests to deliver vaginally. In others, you may benefit from delivering via cesarean section. Your healthcare provider can work with you to make this determination.

Some women consider the risks of cesarean more troublesome than the risks of a vaginal birth. All in all, it is important that the facts are explained to you, including the risks and benefits of a cesarean versus a natural delivery. You should know that the concept of maternal requests for a cesarean delivery is still a highly controversial and an emotionally charged issue. In many instances, your healthcare provider may decline your request. If you feel strongly regarding your decision, your healthcare provider can always refer you to another provider that is comfortable with the decision you have made.

Read About Pregnancy Week 32