31 Weeks

Your baby now weighs about 3.3 pounds and measures about 17 inches. Growth will begin to slow down now, but the average weight of babies at birth is around 7 pounds.

Baby is opening and closing their eyes this week. A brain scan would show that your baby is probably having dreams now. Lungs are quickly developing now, getting ready for full time work after birth. White fat is now being deposited beneath the skin, which helps make baby’s skin look pink.

By now you should be seeing your health practitioner every two weeks. Your doctor or midwife will be checking your blood pressure and any swelling in your arms and legs, measuring the baby, asking you about how the baby is moving around and keeping close tabs on you and the baby in general. They’ll start paying attention to what position the baby is in now, as the birth gets closer. About 96% of babies born are born head first. The rest are born breech with the buttocks or feet coming first. Having a breech birth does not mean an automatic cesarean section, but be sure and talk with your doctor or midwife if you are concerned. It’s probably time for you to remove your rings, if you have not already done so, because with swelling it can become very hard to remove these later.

I am feeling a lot more Third Trimestery now. Part of it is probably all the fun we're having- it's awesome but also takes a lot of energy. I'm not sleeping really well, and rolling over is becoming more work. Today we did some driving, and sitting in the car might have something to do with it, but my hips don't feel as comfortable as they have been. I'm slowing down.

I got three new maternity tops! I love them, in good part because they reach my pants with room to spare.

Funny that this week's information says that I should be seeing my care provider every two weeks now, because I'm taking this six week hiatus. I'll go see him the week I get back.

I don't know whether this baby is head up or down, but it seems to be in a vertical position as I feel movements at about 11'o'clock (if you're looking at me) and 6'o'clock. I think baby has the hiccups right now. I feel them at about 5'o'clock so hopefully that means baby is head down.

So far I haven't noticed any swelling. I wouldn't be surprised if I gain some weight while I'm here though because I've been indulging in treats more than usual. My belly is gigantic, seriously. The other day someone told me I'll never make it to September. I told him I plan to!! Or at least get closer than July ;)

I got my book yesterday! I'm starting to read about the Anti-D vaccine, which is meant to protect future pregnancies in the case that this baby is Rh+ and his or her blood somehow gets into my bloodstream. Once I've read it I'll post my comments.