You’re well into the final trimester at 31 weeks pregnant, and in just a few weeks, heartburn and the need to rush to the bathroom every few hours won’t be keeping you up at night – instead, it will be your precious little one waking you for feedings and changes!
Baby is still trying out all the flips and cartwheels imaginable, but soon, he will settle in a head-down position to prepare for birth.
Your Baby’s Development At 31 Weeks
Your baby now weighs around 4lb. Some babies will already be settled in a head-down position, while others will keep up their gymnastics for a few more weeks.
Some women will feel their baby ‘drop’ into the pelvis around this point, although it’s more common in the next few weeks, and in some pregnancies, there is never a noticeable drop before labor.
Your baby looks as though he’s quite ready to be born, with his skin starting to smooth out as he puts on weight and his body settling into proportion, but there’s still significant work happening inside his tiny body. The lungs are still developing surfactants, and his brain will triple in weight this trimester!
Mother’s Symptoms At 31 Weeks
If you’re worn out, it’s no surprise! In addition to the extra weight of the baby, placenta, and other pregnancy-related increases, you may deal with a long list of symptoms that disrupt sleep and make daytime life a little more complicated. Here are some of the most common symptoms at this point.
Weight, Breathing, & Fatigue
Weight gain can make you unsteady, cause back and leg pain, and contribute to fatigue and shortness of breath. Falls can be a serious hazard in the third trimester, so be cautious and take breaks when needed.
If you feel fatigued or out of breath, take a rest break. Report dizziness to your doctor, and any loss of consciousness requires medical attention.
You may also get overheated more easily. Hydrate and wear comfortable, loose clothes that allow airflow. If you work in environments that contribute to overheating, speak to your doctor and determine whether you need any accommodations and whether you can safely continue to work.
A belly band and comfortable shoes may reduce back and leg pain.
Preterm Labor Signs At 31 Weeks Pregnant
About one in ten pregnancies ends in premature birth, and according to The March Of Dimes, moms over 40 and those under 20 are more heavily affected.
This is a sign of labor if you notice contractions that are becoming more frequent and intense. By comparison, Braxton Hicks contractions are randomly timed, can stop when you change position, and are not usually described as painful.
Rupture of membranes, also known as your water breaking, is a clear sign of labor and requires immediate medical care. This can be a gush of hardly mistakable fluids, but it can also be a confusing trickle. If you think your water may have broken, but you aren’t sure, you should seek medical care to be certain.
Passing the mucous plug does not mean you are in labor, but it can indicate that it is imminent. Labor can follow within hours or weeks. However, in some cases, pieces of the mucous plug may be lost after an internal exam. If you see what appears to be a jelly-like material, clearish or with red or pink tinges, also called bloody show, and there’s no particular provocation for it, check in with your doctor.
In some cases, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or back pain can also be signs of preterm labor.
Warning Signs For Preeclampsia
Some swelling can be expected in pregnancy, but under certain circumstances, swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia. If you notice sudden and severe swelling that affects your face or chest, it’s a warning sign, and you should contact your doctor immediately. This also applies to swelling that is more prominent on one side of your body than the other. Any swelling accompanied by chest pain is a medical emergency.
Headaches are also common, but severe headaches can be a sign of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, as can any vision changes.
Digestion & Cravings
Cravings are a normal part of pregnancy. However, not everything you crave is healthy and safe for you and your baby. Check out our guide to common cravings for tips on what healthy choices may satisfy them.
The added pressure on your organs, as well as other pregnancy changes, can cause a slate of digestive difficulties, including heartburn, indigestion, constipation, and urinary incontinence.
Most doctors consider over-the-counter antacids like Rolaids or Tums safe, but you should avoid any that contain aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate. (Your doctor or pharmacist can clarify whether your preferred option is safe if you’re not sure.) Milk of magnesia is also typically deemed safe.
Stool softeners are also on most doctors’ list of safe options, but laxatives can cause contractions, so don’t use them without your doctor’s approval.
Your doctor has likely advised you to practice Kegel exercises ahead of labor. These exercises can also help strengthen the pelvic floor to control and limit urine leaks.
Pain & Cramping
So many pains and discomforts come with pregnancy.
Round ligament pain may feel like an emergency because it can be intense, but it’s normal and common. It may feel like a stabbing or pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. Doctors typically recommend rest and possibly pain medications.
Pelvic girdle pain may affect the bones that encircle the lower part of the body, including the hips. In some more severe cases, it may affect walking, and your doctor may recommend exercises or stretches to help.
Back pain caused by supporting additional weight is normal and may be relieved to a degree with supportive clothing, but lower back pain, especially if it’s new and comes in waves, may be a sign of early labor.
You may also have sciatica, a type of pain caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve in your lower spine. This pain can run from the lower back across the buttocks and into the legs. Your doctor can recommend some stretches that may help and may also recommend treating with heat or medication.
Restless leg syndrome, or cramping in the legs, is common throughout pregnancy. To ease these symptoms, patients are typically advised to use massage, exercise, and gentle heat. For severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a vitamin supplement.
Skin & Breasts
By now, you’ve upgraded to bigger, more supportive bras, but you’re still noticing changes! Your areola and nipples have gotten darker and larger, and you may even notice colostrum leaking. Use nursing pads to reduce the risk of staining your clothing and suffering from thrush or infections. We have an entire article about the different types of nursing pads.
You may notice more visible veins on your chest, abdomen, arms, legs, and other areas. Some women will have spider veins and/or varicose veins. These may go away on their own after pregnancy. In the meantime, elevating your feet and reducing your time standing throughout the day can help.
Insomnia & Nightmares
Stress, increased heart rate, and hormones are just a few of the factors that may combine to cause struggles with sleep during pregnancy. Nightmares can also crop up and may be far more intense than those you remember from before pregnancy.
The first line of defense is usually sleep hygiene practices. Keep your room cool and dark. Turn your screens off an hour or two before bedtime, and choose relaxing activities for that period. Maintain a routine, and consider destressing by pouring out your concerns into a journal.
Sometimes, sleep disturbances can pose physical dangers, such as when you don’t get enough rest and are too tired to drive or work safely. In these more extreme situations, speak to your doctor about the safest options for helping you get some sleep.
When To Contact Your Doctor
Your doctor may have a 24-hour line for concerns or may direct you instead to an answering service or to contact labor & delivery during off hours. No matter how they handle these calls, you should always feel that you can reach out if you believe there may be a problem.
Here are some issues that always warrant contact with your doctor.
Preterm Labor
If you think you’re in labor at 31 weeks pregnant, call your doctor or head for your hospital. Significant indicators include contractions that become more frequent and intense over time, having your water break, or feeling pelvic pressure and a desire to push. Severe nausea and vomiting or diarrhea can also be signs, as can lower back pain.
Preeclampsia
If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of preeclampsia, call your doctor. As described above, these can include unusual swelling or weight gain, intense headaches, and vision changes. They will advise whether you should come in for a check, meet them at the hospital, or be checked out at your next appointment. Once diagnosed, preeclampsia will alert your doctor that you have a high-risk pregnancy and that extra monitoring and care are needed.
Decreased Baby Movement
Call your doctor if your baby isn’t moving as frequently as usual. They will likely ask the results of your last kick count, so be prepared with information about your baby’s regular movements and what has changed.
Other Symptoms That Warrant A Call
You should also call your doctor if you have a fever over 100 degrees, signs of vaginal infection, a sudden change in vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, cracked or bleeding nipples, or abdominal cramps.
You can always call and check for other symptoms that set off your alarm bells. At this point, you’ve had a lot of routine tests performed during pregnancy, and your doctor will have an excellent grasp of your needs. Just remember that things can always change, and diligence is always recommended.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 31 Weeks?
If you haven’t started keeping kick counts, it’s time! You can keep notes manually on paper or use an app.
First, get comfortable and relaxed, then start counting. There are a few ways to do this. You can keep counting for an hour, making note of how many times your baby kicks, or you can count ten kicks and note how long it took. You should use the same method every time and do your kick count at the same time of day for consistency.
Has your doctor talked to you about Kegel exercises? These can make labor go more smoothly and help strengthen the pelvic floor to maintain urinary continence both now and after giving birth.
Some moms also choose to start meal prepping and freezing around this time so that they can skip cooking after the baby comes!
What To Look Forward To
The next few weeks may be a whirlwind of activity, like childbirth classes, a baby shower, and maternity photos! Make sure to take time to rest at 31 weeks pregnant because you’re reaching the end of your pregnancy and will want to save your energy for the big moment!
In the next few weeks, your baby may ‘drop’ into your pelvis, which can significantly change how you feel. While it may make walking and standing a bit more uncomfortable and increase how often you feel the need to pee, it can also relieve some of the pressure on your lungs! Whether this change is a relief or makes things a little rougher is a toss-up.