PREGNANCY
31 Weeks Pregnant: The 3rd Trimester Glow…Before the Groans
It’s starting to get a little snug inside your belly.
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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PREGNANCY
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Bestsellers
Your little hitchhiker is now three-quarters of the way to their destination!
Your baby is about the size of a bottle of bubbly (and just as worthy of a toast!).
It’s starting to feel a bit cosy in your bump. Your baby weighs around 1.3 to 1.4 kilograms and measures about 40 centimetres long. Over the coming weeks, your baby’s once-skinny frame will start filling out with adorable chubby thighs and pudgy cheeks. They’re still kicking plenty, but with less and less room to move. And as they grow, you might find it harder to take a full breath.
From now until birth, your baby’s brain will double in weight! Their development is racing ahead: their senses are in gear—they can taste, hear, see, and feel. And once they arrive, they’ll even be able to recognise your unique smell. (In fact, studies show newborns prefer turning toward breast pads with their own mum’s milk versus another woman’s. Amazing, right?)
If you’re 31 weeks pregnant, you’re about 6 months and 3 weeks along.
The early third trimester often brings a wonderful glow—but also some new challenges. One of the biggest? Swelling. The weight of your bump presses down on the large veins in your pelvis, making blood and lymph fluid back up into your legs and feet. On top of that, your body is holding much more fluid than pre-pregnancy. That’s why swelling can happen below your bump—including in your genitals (surprising, but common!).
Swelling can be worse if you’re on your feet for long stretches. Compression stockings can help, as can propping your feet up whenever possible. Cutting back on salty foods (especially takeaways and processed snacks) also eases fluid retention. And don’t skimp on water! It might sound counterintuitive, but drinking plenty helps flush extra salt out of your system. For full-body relief, floating in a pool can do wonders—the water’s gentle pressure reduces swelling and boosts circulation.
You may also notice varicose veins—bulging, worm-like veins—or even haemorrhoids. The good news: varicose veins often improve or disappear after birth. If not, they can be treated later with options like laser therapy. Haemorrhoids can be soothed with warm sitz baths, keeping your bowels regular with fibre or mild laxatives, and using witch hazel wipes for comfort.
“You must stop flying once the third trimester starts.”
Not necessarily! Every pregnancy is different, but if you’re low-risk with no complications, many doctors and midwives are fine with flying until around 34 weeks. Airlines, however, each have their own policies, so always check before booking. And if you are travelling, ask your doctor or midwife about contacts at your destination—just in case you need care while away.
People always say that pregnant women have a glow, and I say it’s because you’re sweating to death. — Jessica Simpson
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
