31 Weeks Pregnant

Your Baby's Growth and Development

By 31 weeks pregnant your baby is roughly 3.5 pounds and probably close to 18 inches long! During this week and for the remainder of your pregnancy your baby is working diligently to accumulate layers of fat under his or her skin. This will help smooth your baby's appearance just prior to delivery.

As your baby continues to grow and fill out, he or she will find the space in your uterus much more confining. You will probably start feeling the effects of this as you become larger and increasingly uncomfortable during pregnancy. Many women are surprised at how hard their baby can kick during the final weeks of pregnancy.

By now onlookers can probably detect your baby's kicks as they happen, whether or not they have a hand to your belly!

Changes In Your Body

By 31 weeks pregnant your uterus will measure at least 4.5 inches above your navel in most cases. You may find you have a hard time catching your breath around this time, especially when you exert yourself. Try to take things a bit easy as you continue to grow and support your baby.

If you haven't already, you should check out a pregnancy pillow. The Maternity and Baby Shopping Mart carries a full selection of Snoozer Full Body Pregnancy Pillows ranging in price and features. A pregnancy pillow is somewhat of a misnomer, because these full body pillows will last you a lifetime. You will find you use them after your pregnancy to nurse your baby, and for years afterwards for the simple fact they are comfortable to sleep with. Many consider Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows the best of the best. They not only serve as a maternity pillow, you can easily adjust and wrap them around your waist to provide support for your neck and shoulders while breastfeeding your little newborn baby.

Thereafter, you and your husband can both enjoy the benefits of a full body pillow by Snoozer. These remarkable pillows are wonderful for relieving arthritis pain, aches and muscle fatigue. Because of their unique structure, they can help promote greater circulation throughout the body, and reduce any strain or

pressure you place on your neck while sleeping. These remarkable must have items even come with a free 100% cotton pillowcase. It doesn't get easier than that.

During the third trimester, prenatal yoga is just as beneficial as it may have been earlier in your pregnancy. It can also help you prepare for labor and delivery. Yoga is a terrific form of activity for prepping the body for labor. If you haven't already, check out some prenatal classes at your local recreation center!

Your breasts may be leaking colostrum at this point. I found this was easily remedied simply by wearing nursing pads. Colostrum doesn't look like normal breast milk. I found it changed color frequently, varying from orange to slightly yellow. Many things including your diet and health influence colostrum. It is very important for the health and well-being of your baby, as it is jam packed with vital nutrients and antibodies that can promote your baby's vitality after delivery.

Cesarean Delivery?

Cesarean delivery is sometimes a controversial topic among women. Try as you might you really sometimes have no control over the outcome of your labor and delivery. Certain times it may be necessary for your doctor to perform a cesarean section to ensure the safety and well being of you and your baby.

It's best you prepare yourself for this even if you are a low risk for a cesarean. While most women would prefer a natural birth, there is always the small chance you may need an emergency cesarean. The best thing you can do in this case is arm yourself with information.

I know many women who have had cesareans and report they are not as bad as people suggest. Many women sail through their recovery quite easily. In fact, some women prefer a cesarean to a natural delivery!

Patient choice cesarean delivery is an increasingly controversial topic. Some healthcare providers refer to this practice as cesarean delivery on maternal request. Some women feel that the risks of a vaginal birth outweigh those of a cesarean, while other simply prefer to have a cesarean because they feel they have more control over their deliver.

The fact of the matter is this... it is important you are involved in your health care and any decisions made about your delivery. You should educate yourself about the pros and cons of various delivery methods, and work with a healthcare provider that sees eye to eye with you when it comes to your labor and delivery. For some women this will mean opting for a midwife and giving birth naturally, while for others it may mean electing a cesarean delivery with their OB/GYN. Make sure you make an informed decision and one that will ultimately support the well being of you and your baby. At 31 weeks pregnant it is a good time to start discussing your birth plan with your physician.