31 Weeks Pregnant and Baby Kicking on Left Side at Night

Week 31 – your third trimester

This might be difficult to believe, but you lot are about in that location! Y'all're very unlikely to go beyond another ix or ten weeks. You could have your babe in just half dozen weeks, and this would not be considered early.

What's happening in my trunk?

Your baby and bump are nevertheless growing. In a couple of weeks, yous volition both go through a final growth spurt. Your baby still has lots of fattening up to practice before the big mean solar day arrives.

If this is your get-go babe, then your midwife or doc will probably leave a measuring tape and cheque the size of your womb. This can be estimated by measuring up your breadbasket, from the superlative of your pubic bone, to the top of your crash-land.

They will also gently feel your meaning abdomen to work out which way upwardly your baby is positioned. Some babies will exist head down, set for nascence. You may have felt your infant motility into place and seen your bump shift downwardly.

If your baby is caput up, then there's all the same enough of time for your little one to do a big somersault and get into position. Some babies will not move downwards into the pelvis ("engage") until labour starts.

If your baby stays head up, in the "breech" position, that could touch the type of nascency you are able to have. In some cases, if the baby is in an awkward position, or the placenta is blocking their mode down, then a caesarean may be recommended. You will exist able to talk through the risks and benefits with your midwife or doc earlier making your conclusion.

Keeping beside: the lowdown on breastfeeding

Correct at present, your baby will be practising sucking, which is a vital skill for feeding. Take you thought how you would similar to feed your baby?

Breastfeeding gets your infant off to a flight commencement because:

• breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight infections
• your baby is less probable to get breadbasket bugs and develop breathing issues
• it'south available whenever your babe needs it

Find out more near breastfeeding.

There are lots of ways your partner can support you, such every bit bringing you drinks while you feed your baby.

Unfortunately not every woman is able to breastfeed. There may be health reasons why you can't, for example if yous are taking medication that could go into your breast milk, or if you're recovering from surgery. You tin can even so go your baby off to a great start, with bottles of formula and lots of dearest and cuddles!

Baby sling condom

Many parents utilise a sling or babe carrier instead of a pram to go on their infant close to them. If you decide to use a sling, make sure you know how to use it safely, as a small number of deaths from suffocation have been linked to slings.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises the safest slings are the ones that hold your babe solidly against your torso, in an upright position. Make sure yous can encounter your baby, that their face is non restricted, and their airways are always clear.

The T.I.C.K.S rule to keep your baby safe when wearing a sling or carrier is:

T – Tight

I – In view at all times

C – Shut enough to kiss

Yard – Keep chin off the chest

S – Supported back

Read more than about sling safety and the T.I.C.K.South rule on the RoSPA website.

Third trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 31 weeks)

Are you lot getting simulated contractions? You may feel your bump tighten up for twenty to 30 seconds, and then relax once again (it should not injure). These are known as Braxton Hicks contractions and often referred to as "exercise contractions". These are perfectly normal and harmless. However, if they're painful, or yous start to become them at regular intervals, information technology could be a sign of early labour, so contact your midwife or doctor.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

• sleeping problems
• stretch marks
• swollen and bleeding gums
• pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
• piles
• headaches
• backache
• indigestion and heartburn
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen easily and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair
• symptoms from earlier weeks, caused past pregnancy hormones, such every bit mood swings, morning sickness, weird pregnancy cravings, a heightened sense of smell, sore or leaky breasts, a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and low-cal spotting (seek medical communication for whatever bleeding)

Tommy's the baby charity has produced a pregnancy guide with a further listing of symptoms.

What does my babe wait like?

Your babe, or foetus, is around 41.1cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 1.5kg. That's approximately the size and weight of a coconut.

Your baby is very active, moving around, sucking their fingers, and doing the odd somersault. Day by 24-hour interval, your baby is getting plumper and looking less wrinkled. The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby is increasing – and that's due to your baby peeing into it!

Your baby volition get-go to recognise voices outside the womb, and so encourage your partner and any other children to talk to your bump, to aid create a strong bond between them.

Action stations

For the starting time few months, yous'll need a crib, carry cot or Moses basket. If you're borrowing a cot, then ideally you'll need a new mattress. It should fit snugly with no gaps and be clean and waterproof. Do not employ pillows or duvets, as they tin cause your babe to overheat or even suffocate. Instead, become a baby sleeping handbag or layer upward with light blankets.

Read more tips on what to buy.

This week you could also...

You have motherhood rights and if you're worried near your condom at work, and then talk to your employer. You shouldn't be lugging annihilation around, and yous may need actress breaks and somewhere to sit. You tin can as well attend antenatal appointments during paid work time.

Nosotros can usually go plenty vitamin D from sunlight, but betwixt October and March it's best to take a vitamin D supplement every day. Simply x micrograms is all you need (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Information technology'southward worth checking if you're entitled to free vitamins.

Get moving! It's recommended that pregnant women do 150 minutes of exercise throughout the week. Y'all could starting time off with just x minutes of daily exercise - possibly take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (curl to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels correct for you.

Don't eat for 2! Swallow for you. Now y'all're in the 3rd trimester, you lot may need an extra 200 calories a day, but that'due south not much. Information technology's nigh the same as two slices of wholemeal toast and margarine.

Endeavour and eat healthily with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You lot may exist able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Good for you Beginning scheme.

How are y'all today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or physician who can indicate yous in the right direction to become all the back up that yous need. You could too discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family. You may be worried near your human relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't bottle it up – you lot're important, and then inquire for help if you demand it!

Getting pregnant again is probably the terminal affair on your mind! Nonetheless now is a skillful fourth dimension to start planning what blazon of contraception y'all would like to use after your baby is built-in. Making this decision when you're significant will give you ane less matter to recall about when you're looking later a newborn baby. Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than yous realise and as well short a gap between babies is known to cause problems. Talk to your GP or midwife to help you determine and go everything in place.

This week'south treat

Friends tin can be a brilliant support in pregnancy and beyond, so why non make a real endeavour to chat to some of your friends this week? You lot could telephone a friend or have a video call so you can encounter each other. You could even plan a virtual babe shower!

Get back to week 30

Go to week 32

rathburndonglailly.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/3rd-trimester/week-31/

Share this post