PREGNANCY
31 Weeks Pregnant: The 3rd Trimester Glow…Before the Groans
It’s starting to get a little snug inside your belly.
Écrit par
Dr. Harvey Karp
PARTAGER CET ARTICLE
CHOIX DES PARENTS
Meilleures ventes
PREGNANCY
Écrit par
Dr. Harvey Karp
PARTAGER CET ARTICLE
Meilleures ventes
Your little hitchhiker is now three-quarters of the way to their destination!
Your baby is about the size of a bottle of bubbly (and just as worthy of a toast!).
It’s starting to feel a bit cosy in your bump. Your baby weighs around 1.3 to 1.4 kilograms and measures about 40 centimetres long. Over the coming weeks, your baby’s once-skinny frame will start filling out with adorable chubby thighs and pudgy cheeks. They’re still kicking plenty, but with less and less room to move. And as they grow, you might find it harder to take a full breath.
From now until birth, your baby’s brain will double in weight! Their development is racing ahead: their senses are in gear—they can taste, hear, see, and feel. And once they arrive, they’ll even be able to recognise your unique smell. (In fact, studies show newborns prefer turning toward breast pads with their own mum’s milk versus another woman’s. Amazing, right?)
If you’re 31 weeks pregnant, you’re about 6 months and 3 weeks along.
The early third trimester often brings a wonderful glow—but also some new challenges. One of the biggest? Swelling. The weight of your bump presses down on the large veins in your pelvis, making blood and lymph fluid back up into your legs and feet. On top of that, your body is holding much more fluid than pre-pregnancy. That’s why swelling can happen below your bump—including in your genitals (surprising, but common!).
Swelling can be worse if you’re on your feet for long stretches. Compression stockings can help, as can propping your feet up whenever possible. Cutting back on salty foods (especially takeaways and processed snacks) also eases fluid retention. And don’t skimp on water! It might sound counterintuitive, but drinking plenty helps flush extra salt out of your system. For full-body relief, floating in a pool can do wonders—the water’s gentle pressure reduces swelling and boosts circulation.
You may also notice varicose veins—bulging, worm-like veins—or even haemorrhoids. The good news: varicose veins often improve or disappear after birth. If not, they can be treated later with options like laser therapy. Haemorrhoids can be soothed with warm sitz baths, keeping your bowels regular with fibre or mild laxatives, and using witch hazel wipes for comfort.
“You must stop flying once the third trimester starts.”
Not necessarily! Every pregnancy is different, but if you’re low-risk with no complications, many doctors and midwives are fine with flying until around 34 weeks. Airlines, however, each have their own policies, so always check before booking. And if you are travelling, ask your doctor or midwife about contacts at your destination—just in case you need care while away.
People always say that pregnant women have a glow, and I say it’s because you’re sweating to death. — Jessica Simpson
Avertissement : Les informations présentes sur notre site ne constituent PAS des conseils médicaux pour une personne ou une condition spécifique. Elles sont uniquement destinées à titre d'information générale. Si vous avez des questions médicales et des préoccupations concernant votre enfant ou vous-même, veuillez contacter votre fournisseur de soins de santé. Le lait maternel est la meilleure source de nutrition pour les bébés. Il est important que, en préparation et pendant l'allaitement, les mères adoptent une alimentation saine et équilibrée. La combinaison de l'allaitement au sein et au biberon dans les premières semaines de vie peut réduire la production de lait maternel de la mère et il est difficile de revenir sur la décision de ne pas allaiter. Si vous décidez d'utiliser une préparation pour nourrissons, vous devez suivre les instructions avec soin.
