How does my baby grow at 31 weeks?

At 31 weeks, your baby continues to grow and put on weight. On average, at this stage, babies are around 41cm and weigh about 1.5kg.

Their lungs are maturing rapidly, but they still won’t be able to breathe on their own until about 36 weeks into pregnancy.

They’re continuing to grow bigger as their skin gets less wrinkled and they gain weight. You should still feel them kicking and moving, although it might feel different in the coming weeks due to their size.

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 31 weeks?

By now, you’ll be carrying a relatively big bump, and as such, your back could be feeling uncomfortable. While it's unavoidable, there are things you can do to get more comfortable.

Try to avoid lifting anything heavy, as that just puts more pressure on your back. Low-impact exercises like yoga and swimming will also strengthen your muscles. Think about investing in a pelvic girdle, which you can buy online or over the counter, to relieve some of the pressure on your back.

What else do I need to know about being 31 weeks pregnant?

You may start to feel tightening as your pregnancy progresses. It may feel like your bump tightens up every so often for around 20–30 seconds before relaxing. This is known as a Braxton-Hicks contraction. These are normal and harmless. However, they should not hurt. If you’re finding it painful or they’re coming more regularly, it could potentially be a sign of early labour, so contact your doctor.

What Does My Pregnancy Look Like at Thirty-One Weeks?

Pregnancy symptoms, baby growth and what else to expect at 31 weeks.