Your pregnancy by week: Weeks 31-34
Week 31
Baby: Your child can hear a variety of sounds, including familiar
voices and music.
Mom-to-be:
Your uterus now takes up most of your belly and you've probably gained between
9.5 and 12 kg. You're probably expecting a baby - it won't be for long now.
Tip of the week:
Practice breathing and relaxation exercises.
Week 32
Baby: Your child is approximately 48 cm tall from head to toe and
weighs almost 1.8 kg. The baby is taking up most of the space in your uterus
right now, but it may still have room to tumble. A layer of fat forms under the
baby's skin. The baby is training to open his eyes and breathe.
Mom-to-be: You will probably start seeing your primary care doctor
every two weeks until the last month, when you will probably move to weekly
visits. You may continue to have back pain and leg cramps. You may also notice
a yellowish liquid called colostrum leaking from your breasts before milk is
produced.
Tip of the week: At
the same stage of pregnancy, you can wear clothes differently than others.
Whether you wear it taller or lower, taller or lower, wider or tighter depends
on the size and position of the baby, your body type and the weight you have
gained. For comfort, drink plenty of fluids, elevate your legs while sitting,
lie on your left side, and wear compression stockings.
Week 33
Baby: The next few weeks will be marked by big growth of the baby.
Over the next seven weeks, the baby will gain more than half its birth weight.
Now your baby starts to move less as he runs out of the room and curls up with
his knees bent, his chin on his chest, and his arms and legs crossed.
Mom-to-be: you have gained from 10 to 12.5 kg.
Tip of the week:
It's safe to continue having sex with your partner, even if you may be too
uncomfortable. Talk to your partner about other ways to maintain intimacy,
including back and leg massages.
Week 34
Baby: Your child is approximately 50 cm from head to toe and
weighs approximately 2250 kg. The child is likely to assume the upside down
position, although this may not be for long. The organs are now almost fully
mature, except for the lungs, and the skin is pink instead of red. The nails
reach to the tips of the fingers, but the toenails are not yet fully developed.
The baby may have a lot of hair and may not move as much due to the tight fit.
Mom-to-be:
The uterus hardens and contracts in preparation for childbirth, known as
Braxton Hicks contractions, but you may not feel them yet. Your pelvis is
enlarged and may hurt, especially in your back. The uterus presses hard on the
lower ribs, and the chest may hurt, and the navel is probably pressing due to
the distension of the abdomen.
Tip of the week:
Start thinking about whether or not to try breastfeeding. You can consult with
a lactation specialist or just talk to friends or relatives who can share their
experiences.
What is happening inside you?
After these four weeks, your baby will weigh up to 2.25 kg. Your child continues to mature and accumulate body fat. You may notice that your child kicks more. The brain of the child at this time is developing rapidly, and he can hear. Most of the internal systems are well developed, but the lungs may still be immature.
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