Help my growing baby develop in the 31st week of pregnancy
Keep supporting your growing baby’s brain development.
What’s happening in the 31st week of pregnancy?
All systems in his or her body are getting ready. This includes the digestive system so that he or she can get nourishment and the central nervous system to regulate body temperature.
Your growing baby is also making trillions of brain connections. This helps him or her process the sensory experiences, such as sensing bright light, or reacting to the sounds he or she hears.
Weighing more than three pounds (1.5 kilograms) now, your growing baby measures about 16 inches (41 centimeters) from head to toe.
What can I expect in the 31st week of pregnancy?
By now, you have an impressive baby bump. You may often feel breathless as your growing uterus pushes your lungs upwards. By exercising regularly, you can feel more comfortable. This is because you’re less likely to be breathless if you’re keeping fit and having a healthy weight gain. Remember to consult your doctor before doing any exercises during your pregnancy.
What can you do to support your pregnancy?
Continue to include iron-rich foods such as spinach, lentils, poultry and meat to your meals. This may not just help prevent iron deficiency anemia which may cause you to feel lethargic, but will also support your growing baby’s development.
Nurture your growing baby’s continuing brain development (remember, trillions of connections!) with adequate DHA and other foods rich in nutrients like zinc, choline and folate.
Meanwhile, it helps to weigh yourself daily or weekly during your pregnancy, so you can keep abreast of your weight gain.
By now, you may have started decorating the room and getting clothes ready for him or her and even thinking of names. All this is done with love, which him or her is believed to be able to sense in the safe confines of your womb.
Your growing baby’s development in week 32
References:
- Fetal development: The 3rd trimester. (2014, July 11). Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-de...
- Pregnancy Diary Week 31| What's happening for you & your baby. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2017 from http://www.merrionfetalhealth.ie/pregnancy-diary-week-31/
- Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Philadelphia,PA: Da Capo Press.
- 29, 30, 31, 32 weeks pregnant - Pregnancy and baby guide. (2015, February 11). Retrieved February 19, 2017, from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-weeks-29...
- Anemia During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment. (2016, October 12). Retrieved April 16, 2017 from http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-concerns/anemia-during-pregnancy/
- Georgieff, M. K. (2007) Nutrition and the developing brain: nutrient priorities and measurement. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(2): 614S-620S
- Van den Bergh, B. (1990). The influence of maternal emotions during pregnancy on fetal and neonatal behavior. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology and Health, 5(2), 119-1
