31 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you are 31 weeks pregnant, your baby's lungs and digestive tract will be nearly mature, the baby will be able to see in the womb, and the eyebrows and eyelashes will be complete. At week 31 of pregnancy, you will likely have another visit with your doctor. He or she will check your weight, uterus size, and blood pressure, among other things. At 31 weeks pregnant, you should think about whether you're going to breastfeed your baby.

 

31 Weeks Pregnant: An Overview

Congratulations, you're 31 weeks pregnant -- only 10 more weeks to go!
 
At week 31 of pregnancy, you may be noticing that you are a bit clumsier than you remember.
 You are not quite the ballerina that you used to be. Some people might say that at this point in your pregnancy you are more like a graceful fawn.
 
You may be also be noticing increased backaches. This is normal. It's caused by ligaments and muscles in your lower back loosening in anticipation of labor (think of rubber bands!). It may help you to wear a pregnancy girdle, which helps support your growing belly, putting less strain on those muscles and ligaments. If the backaches get more serious, you should talk with your healthcare provider.
 
When you're 31 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 11.2 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds, 8 ounces.
 
(31 Weeks Pregnant Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD