31 weeks pregnant

You at 31 weeks pregnant

Stretch marks are common at this stage, especially if you’ve gained weight quickly. There's not much you can do about stretch marks, despite what the advertisements for creams and other potions say. Stretch marks are permanent, but they’ll fade in colour after your baby is born.

The ligaments around your pelvis are softening and stretching, getting ready for birth. The way you walk might change as your centre of gravity shifts. This is normal. For safety and comfort, it might be time to shelve your favourite high heels.

pregnancy illustration, week 31

Birth plans
If you’re thinking about a birth plan, now might be a good time to do one.

Birth plans can include things like:

who you’d like to be at the birth
how you want to manage pain
who’ll cut the cord
how you’d like your birth environment to be.

But keep in mind that your baby’s plan might be different from yours. Also, what you need and want might change on the day, so think of the birth plan as a guide and stay flexible.

It’s a good idea to share your birth plan with the doctor or midwife who’ll be looking after you, so they understand your preferences and can work with you to achieve them.

Your baby when you’re 31 weeks pregnant

Here’s what’s going on for your baby:

Your baby is about 27.5 cm from head to bottom and about 1.5 kg.
Your baby’s eyes are open, and their pupils can respond to light.
Your baby’s brain is developing rapidly, making a lot of connections and sending a lot of signals.
Loud noises nearby might make your baby startle.