Week 31: Your baby is now as big as a bunch of leeks!

Week 31: Your baby is now as big as a bunch of leeks!


Less than ten weeks to go for D-Day now! You’ve braved it through 30 weeks of pregnancy already now, and the remaining ones will pass by just as fast. At the 31st week of pregnancy, you are probably comfortable with all the changes your body is going through by now. However, we know moms, the excitement regarding your baby’s growth inside you does not die down till you hold them in your arms. Here’s a fun fact about your baby’s development: this week, your baby is as big as a bunch of leeks!

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What’s new with your baby this week


Your baby has been busy doing a lot of growing up this week. In fact, they are now 41 cm in length and weigh approximately 1.5 kg. They are as big as a bunch of leeks. Take a look at what your baby has been up to on the 31st week.

  • Brain development is rapid in your baby right now; synapses are developing and creating a network in their brain at a rapid pace.
  • Your baby now takes longer naps, especially REM sleep. If you want to wake up your baby, the trick to o=do so is eating or drinking something sugary.
  • You would be surprised to know that your baby’s brain can already process information received by picking up signals from all the five senses.
  • Wonder what your baby is up to all day? They’re quite busy making faces, hiccupping, practicing breathing, and sucking their thumbs.
  • Your little athlete can now pedal with their hands and legs along your uterine wall.
  • Your baby is now beginning to look more and more like they will at birth.
  • Your baby’s brain and taste buds are now mature and developed enough to be able to taste the flavors in the amniotic fluid they swallow. In fact, the flavors they taste in the amniotic fluid may go on to shape their food preferences after birth.
  • Lanugo continues to fall out this week, along with the fat accumulating under the skin, smoothening out the wrinkly texture of the skin. This leads to the skin appearing smoother than before.
  • Your baby can now understand and perceive some of the light that diffuses and makes its way into the uterus.
  • If born at this stage, your baby will have an impressive 99% chance of survival outside the womb. They are, however, still premature.


Things to expect at the ultrasound this week

  • You can expect to see your baby’s eyes opening and shutting. You can even spot eyelashes and eyebrows if you look hard enough
  • You will be able to notice prominent and frequent movements by your baby, like sucking of the thumb, kicking, among others.
  • Don’t worry when you see your baby hiccupping frequently; this is not uncomfortable for them.
  • You can get an idea of what your baby will look like at birth, as they almost resemble their final form now.
  • By now you probably know the gender of your baby anyway. In the ultrasound this week, you can see that their genitals are quite well developed at this stage.


What to do this week

  • You will experience fluids leaking from your breasts this week. To avoid staining your clothes, you may want to invest in nursing breast pads.
  • One of the marking factors of week 31 is that you will begin to experience Braxton-Hicks contractions; you can make use of these opportunities to practice labor breathing.
  • Now might be a good time to start discussing the feeding options that you feel will be a comfortable choice for your baby with your partner.
  • Indulge in some physical activity this week, because you will be prone to feeling lethargic at this stage.
  • Make sure to indulge in some prenatal yoga classes to help combat the back pain that becomes very prominent at this stage of pregnancy.


In the third week of the third and final trimester of your pregnancy, you are at a very advanced stage of pregnancy. Now, not only should you focus on your internal health for pregnancy, but also your life as a parent after childbirth. Consult your friends and family who have already experienced childbirth. For medical issues, do not hesitate to consult your doctor on Cloudnine, who is always here to help you. Consider all your options and discuss them with your partner, because the remaining nine weeks will pass in the blink of an eye!

Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.

  1. Best Gynecologists in Bangalore
  2. Top Gynecologists in Chennai
  3. Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Mumbai
  4. Top Gynecologists near me in Pune
  5. Best Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Chandigarh
  6. Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists near me in Gurgaon
  7. Best Gynecologists near me in Noida

 

Want to consult the best Maternity Packages in India? Please find the links below.

  1. Best Maternity Packages in Bangalore
  2. Top Maternity Packages in Chennai
  3. Best Maternity Packages with Cost in Mumbai
  4. Best Maternity/ Delivery Packages with Charges in Pune
  5. Top Maternity Packages with Cost in Chandigarh
  6. Top Maternity/ Delivery packages with Charges in Gurgaon
  7. Best Pregnancy Packages in Noida



Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my baby so big at 31 weeks?

If you are suffering from diabetes or gestational diabetes, it can cause the baby to gain weight and become big in size. In some rare cases, other underlying health issues can also cause fetal macrosomia. If the baby is too big to fit through the birth canal, it can cause complications during pregnancy and increase the chances of a caesarean delivery.

How big should a 31 week fetus be?

At 31 weeks of gestational age, a baby should be about 16.5 inches long and weigh about 1.5 kg. While a little more or less is nothing to worry about, excess weight or very low weight needs to be looked into.

What does a 31 week old fetus look like?

At 31 weeks, your baby will look very similar to a newborn but smaller in size. By this time, their limbs and spine are developed. At this stage, the baby will be growing and gaining weight rapidly. Their body fat will also increase. If you take an ultrasound scan, you will see a plump body with proportionate limbs.

What to avoid at 31 weeks pregnant?

At 31 weeks, you are in your third trimester. Though the risks are lesser when compared to the first trimester, you should avoid consuming fish containing high levels of mercury, undercooked or raw meat, unpasteurised dairy, excessive caffeine, and alcohol. You should also avoid activities that can increase the risk of a fall or injury.

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