Are you pregnant? Grab your free pregnancy pack now – details inside!
We picked up the keys to our new flat today and that means Hubby and I are now officially on the property ladder! We bought a really comfy king-sized bed and an amazing reclining sofa for our new flat this week. Those apart from the changing station and the numerous boxes and bin liners of our stuff from the old flat is all we have at the moment. We need to get a fridge, a washing machine, a dishwasher, and, most importantly, a Moses Basket for the baby to sleep in, and some bedding to go with it. I want to get a Healthcare Set and a Bath Set too so that I feel ready and prepared for labour. I will have to start thinking about getting a hospital bag too, but one step at a time. Everything is getting too expensive as it is!
I realised when I was taking a shower that I canβt see my knees or my feet when I look straight down in front of me. It makes bending down to shave or put on my shoes a real pain now. I have invested in a pair of comfortable Uggs, but a size larger than normal because my feet keep swelling up. I canβt even begin to consider wearing heels as theyβre way too uncomfortable
Hubby finds it funny that I waddle around like a penguin now too. Iβve put on a lot of weight which doesnβt help and my hips feel like theyβre stretching outwards. Iβve also noticed my hands and fingers swelling up a bit too, so Iβve resorted to wearing my wedding and engagement rings around my neck, attached to my Mexican Bola necklace.
Iβm not actually having trouble sleeping at the moment. I reckon itβs because of the amount of energy I use up during the day, unpacking boxes and trying to sort out our new flat. Weβve been told that our internet is not going to be connected for another 3 weeks which means I canβt earn for 3 weeks either, doing my transcription work, so I need to find something to do otherwise Iβll just get bored. The only time I wake up to pee is about 5 minutes before hubby has to get up for work at 5.30am, so Iβve become his alarm clock in the morning. It must be because Iβm such a heavy sleeper and I canβt feel that my bladder is full or that Boxer is actively moving about in my belly. My left hip hurts from sleeping on my left side at night, though, so thatβs the only real issue I have with bedtime at the moment. I try not to sleep on my right side because sleeping on the left improves circulation apparently and also helps to keep the uterus off my liver.
A fun fact β the baby weighs about the same as four navel oranges!
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Table of Contents
The science part
Your baby at 31 weeks
- Your baby is the size of a coconut!
- Your baby is still putting on weight and is gaining about 200g a week
- They are still very active, moving and spinning around and sucking their fingers to prepare for feeding.
- Your baby looks less wrinkled now and the amount of amniotic fluid is still increasing
- Your baby’s brain connections are developing rapidly – trillions are being made!
- Your baby can pick up signals from all 5 senses now!
- They are sleeping a bit more now in longer stretches
Your pregnancy signs and symptoms
- You may be feeling more Braxton Hicks as you get to B-day. These are normal in the latter stages of pregnancy but can also mean that you’re overdoing it. It’s important in these stages to take it easy now.
- You may still be experiencing cramps, indigestion, heartburn and constipation which are all common symptoms of pregnancy. If you feel anything out of the ordinary, speak to your midwife or GP for advice.
- How’s your balance? The bigger the bump, the clumsier you feel.
Your next steps
- Get familiar with your baby’s movements so you can spot whether there is a significant change in behaviour and pattern. If so, contact your midwife or hospital ASAP!
- Make sure you are sleeping on your left side during the third trimester. Research has shown that going to sleep on your back is linked to an increased risk of stillbirth. This includes napping during the day too.
- Your midwife will be checking the size of your womb and which way baby is positioned. The ideal position is head down and baby’s back is towards your stomach. But, don’t worry if they aren’t in that position, there is plenty of time for them to move now.
- Exercise is still important to keep you in good shape. Pilates and yoga are great for exercising during pregnancy as they strengthen your back, pelvic floor, and tummy muscles, which is great for preparing for labour and birth.
- Make sure you’re also keeping up with your healthy diet but remember you don’t need to eat for two – that’s a myth!
Note: These are just general ideas of how you and your baby are getting on. Donβt forget that every baby develops differently. If you are concerned about your babyβs development, please consult your doctor or midwife.
*Illustrations by Charlotte Watkins. ο»Ώ
If you have any questions about her work, please contact Charlotte via her website, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn*
Are you pregnant? Grab your free pregnancy pack now – details inside!
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