nilu
Back to Pregnancy
Trimester 3 · week 31 of 40

31 weeks pregnant

The baby is growing, getting stronger and maturing functions that will matter outside the womb. For the pregnant woman, getting comfortable may become a home engineering project.

Translated from the original Brazilian Portuguese content with the help of artificial intelligence. Read the original in Portuguese

Read about your current week or get ready for what comes next.
Visual size comparison at week 31: a coconut
Visual reference: a coconut. Not an individual clinical measurement.
Quick read

In 1 minute

  • Fetal weight gain speeds up.
  • Cycles of activity and rest become easier to notice.
  • Less room changes the way the baby moves.
Fetal development

How your baby is doing this week

The baby keeps storing fat and developing the nervous system. Movements may feel more like pushes and stretches than big turns. The brain and lungs still have valuable weeks of maturation ahead.

3D artistic representation of fetal development at week 31
Artistic 3D representation. This is not an ultrasound and does not represent your baby's individual development.
Body and routine

What may change in your body

Sleeping can be hard because of heartburn, the bump, the baby's movements and needing to pee. Standing for a long time can make your legs feel heavier and increase swelling.

Possible steps

Care for this week

  1. Use support pillows and comfortable positions.

  2. Take breaks with your legs raised if that helps with mild swelling.

  3. Intense or widespread itching, especially on the hands and feet, should be checked by your care team.

Prenatal care focus

  • Keep monitoring blood pressure, growth and movements, and review any pending vaccines and tests.
Twin pregnancy

If you're expecting twins

With twins, the third trimester usually calls for an earlier birth plan and monitoring of growth and preterm birth.

Support network

For those by your side

Take on the more physically demanding tasks and help build a support network for the postpartum period.

Common questions

Questions for this week

Can the baby still change position?

Yes. Many babies still change position at this stage.

Is an itchy belly normal?

Stretched skin can itch, but intense or widespread itching should be checked.

When to seek care

  • Once movements have become familiar, a significant decrease in the pattern you notice should be evaluated without waiting until the next day.
  • After 20 weeks, a severe/persistent headache, vision changes, severe pain in the upper abdomen or sudden swelling deserve evaluation for a possible hypertensive condition.
  • Before term, regular contractions, increasing pelvic pressure or signs of labor need prompt advice.

In an emergency, go to the urgent care service in your area. This content does not replace a professional assessment.

Next · week 32

The next chapter

In week 32, the baby looks rounder and birth planning starts to become more concrete.

See week 32

Was this helpful?

Sources and transparency

Nilu editorial content, written from the official sources above. Individual clinical review of each week is in progress — this text is for information and does not replace your prenatal care.