31 Weeks Pregnant Feel Like My Period Is Coming

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How Big is Your Baby at 31 Weeks?

Your baby is 16.2 inches long and weighs about 3.3 pounds this week. That's about the size of a SunnyD.

Here's what else to know when you're 31 weeks pregnant:

• Your Baby
• Your Body
• Your Life
• 31 Weeks Ultrasound
• Real Mom Bumps at 31 Weeks Pregnant

Your Baby's Development at 31 Weeks

• Head turning: They can move their head around from side to side now and are strengthening their neck muscles.
• Super smarts: Your baby's brain is developing so quickly! This week, baby's developments include making important neural connections that ensure all five senses are on point. Yep, this baby-to-be's ready to see, feel, touch, taste and hear.
• 31 weeks pregnant baby position: Your baby is starting to nestle into the fetal position as space gets tighter in there. They also might be faced head-down, getting ready for the big debut.

💛 Congratulations 💛

There are 63 days until your due date!

31 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound

Your Body: 31 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

At 31 weeks pregnant, belly aches and pains can be common. You may be experiencing anything from round ligament pain to Braxton Hicks contractions to just plain gas or constipation. Most of the time, it's nothing major, but always call your healthcare provider any time you're experiencing pain and are unsure of the cause.

• Hip and/or back pain: Ouch! You may be feeling hip and back pain as your pelvis starts to loosen to get ready for giving birth. This can be related to pregnancy-induced sciatica, round ligament pain or just generalized aches. Try prenatal yoga or some of these stretches.
• Breathlessness: It's super common to experience shortness of breath during pregnancy. This is partially caused by the hormone progesterone, but also baby is getting bigger and crowding your lungs, not allowing you to breathe quite as deeply.
• Hair and nail changes: Though it's common for some pregnant moms to have fuller hair and great skin, not all are so lucky. Some experience very brittle nails during pregnancy. If your nails have started to chip excessively, don't worry—they should go back to normal after you deliver.
• Trouble sleeping: Baby's movements are getting stronger, and ironically babies tend to have in-utero dance parties when mom finally gets a chance to relax. Not only that, you may be battling pregnancy symptoms that keep you awake, like leg cramps, or may simply be uncomfortable or even have a little stressed out—hey, there's a lot on your mind! Stay well hydrated, prop yourself with as many pillows as you need to get comfy and practice calming nighttime rituals, such as shutting off screens or drinking chamomile tea. And get plenty of exercise during the day.
• Braxton Hicks contractions: Your body's practicing for giving birth. You may feel your belly tighten up and get rock hard for about 30 seconds here and there. If it's just mildly uncomfortable and goes away when you switch positions, that's a Braxton Hicks contraction. True labor contractions will feel painful and will happen at intervals that become regular and closer together as time goes on. Stay well hydrated to prevent having too many Braxton Hicks contractions and to prevent them from turning into preterm labor. Call the doc if you have more than four contractions in an hour, or if you have any other weird symptoms along with the discomfort.

Your Pregnant Brain

Did you know all those pregnancy hormones are affecting your brain? We're not talking about forgetfulness, which is what most people think of when they think "pregnancy brain." We're talking about a maturation that's happening in that noggin. One study suggests women's brains evolve during pregnancy to allow them to better understand other people's perceptions. Maybe to empathize with a crying baby? We think so.

Your Life at 31 Weeks Pregnant

Nine weeks to go until your due date, but who's counting? Here's some tried-and-true advice to get you to the finish line.

• Top tip: A prenatal massage isn't simply a luxurious splurge; it's also a great way to relieve back, shoulder and hip pain, and help you relax. Look for a clinic or massage therapist specially trained in perinatal massage techniques. They'll have the props and table necessary to keep you comfortable and protect your belly. Ahhh…
• Get ready: When you're trying to keep a hungry newborn fed, it sometimes can be a challenge to figure out what to feed yourself—but tired postpartum parents need access to filling meals. Once the food deliveries from friends and family run out, prepared freezer meals can make a world of difference. Start cooking now to grow your freezer stash. Here are some super useful hints for postpartum food prep.
• Best for your bod: As your belly expands and your body gets more uncomfortable, you may find you need motivation to keep moving. There's no shame in wanting an extra boost. An addicting podcast, like Dirty John, You Must Remember This, Bear Brook or The Habitat, can help keep you company on a daily walk. Psst: They're also fun to listen to on the couch, if you're really just over walking.

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Your 31 Weeks Pregnant Belly

At 31 weeks pregnant, average weight gain is about 21 to 27 pounds. Your uterus now fills your entire pelvis, and you might find your belly gets in the way of just about everything you do, including walking. Hello waddle!

Amniotic fluid continues to increase until about 36 weeks pregnant, contributing to the fact that your belly seems to be growing by the day! And baby's movements are stronger than ever.

Top Tip for 31 Weeks Pregnant

A few niceties of home (like your favorite robe, slippers and pjs) will make your hospital stay much more enjoyable.

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31 Weeks Pregnant Checklist

• Pack that hospital bag.
• Prenatal massage can be a great stress reliever. See if anyone in your area specializes in it and book one as a third trimester treat.
• Make a few freezer meals to have once the baby is born. (Not only dinners—a few loaves of banana bread might make perfect morning snacks.)

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

31 Weeks Pregnant Feel Like My Period Is Coming

Source: https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/31-weeks-pregnant

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