Your Baby's Growth

Baby is now tipping the scales at nearly 3.75 lbs and measuring a length of just over 16.5".

You, dear momma, should expect to gain about a pound a week over the next 7 weeks or so while baby begins to plump up! Toenails, fingernails, and even hair are developed by now! Some of you may already be experiencing a little added pressure in your pelvis as your baby has turned head down. Don't worry if you aren't there yet, there's plenty of time (and methods!) for baby to get into position. Are you having trouble sleeping? It's common during the third trimester. Add more pillows to your artillery for support of that growing belly and limit your fluids about an hour prior to bedtime to decrease your bathroom visits. Be sure you are getting around 70g of protein, drinking plenty of water, and taking your vitamins each day. Consider adding Vitamin K, Vitamin C and extra calcium!

From the Eyes of A TBS Mama...

Whew! Week 32 was a tough one for me! I discovered just how sensitive the uterus is to dehydration. I began to have menstrual cramp sensations one day this week with headaches and backache. I was scared that I was going into preterm labor so I called my midwife. She asked how much water I had to drink that day and I realized that, by noon, I had only had a cup of coffee and about 8 oz of water!! She told me to lie down on my left side, drink drink drink, and take it easy for the rest of the day. I downed about 24oz of water and got on the couch. Within 15 minutes or so, all my symptoms were gone! In addition to that spell, I've been having a tough time getting comfortable at night. I made a "pillow nest" per SpinningBabies.com (http://spinningbabies.com/more-info/for-pregnancy/rest-smart-posture) and couldn't believe how comfortable it was! I'm feeling much better going into week 33!!

Motivational Quote

This comes from my husband. We were lying in bed and I had my shirt pulled up to expose my big round belly. She was moving around in response to my gentle nudges which made me laugh each time. I looked at him and he simply said "You are so beautiful."

Got back to Week 31

Go ahead to Week 33

Your baby's growth:

At 31 weeks, your baby measures around 16 inches long and weighs a little over 3 pounds. Think of a very cute pineapple! From now on, your little one is expected  to gain about half a pound per week until a few weeks before delivery.

Get ready, as baby is headed for a growth spurt. Baby can turn her head from side to side and her arms, legs, and body will begin to accumulate fat underneath the skin. Fetal movement should be following a pattern of sleep and awake, but not necessarily in sync with your sleep and awake schedule! But enjoy it! All that movement is a sign of a healthy active baby.

This is a stage to ensure you are intaking enough calcium, iron, protein and folic acid as baby is going through a key development phase right now.  This is the period when your baby's bones are hardening and growing bigger and the last major organ to be developed is their lungs.  They are also building a stronger immune system to ready themselves for when they are out of the womb.

From the Eyes of a TBS Mama...

I am 31 weeks today! I've been experiencing more Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing painful, just a tad bit uncomfortable. Baby girl has been incredibly active, mostly at night. It keeps me up some nights but it's so worth it! Although it's too early to map my belly, I believe that she has begun to turn head down (she was breech at 28 weeks) as I'm feeling more movement near my right ribcage and more pressure on my bladder. Ah...my bladder. There is a slight strain on our relationship at the moment but I'm sure we'll get through it. My advice: do some deep squats to really open your pelvic floor and while in this position, do your Kegal exercises.

"Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be"

By Carrie Fisher

Got back to Week 30

Go ahead to Week 32