Week 31: Be Prepared

You’ve made it to the end of another month of pregnancy! Hopefully, you are enjoying watching your baby bump grow and that you continue to admire the miracle of life that is growing inside of you. You may notice a return of acid reflux (heartburn), especially at night when lying flat. Try to avoid eating or drinking within the last couple of hours before going to bed. Focus on eating foods that aren’t acidic or overly fatty, especially in the evening. At this point in the pregnancy, if you haven’t already, start thinking about methods and ways to prepare your mind and body for labour: mindfulness exercises, stretching, gentle low-impact activity, breathing exercises or a combination thereof. Do what feels right for you and develop a strategy of how you plan to cope with the pains of labour. Additionally, discuss pain management options available to you in labour with your healthcare provider. Being educated will help you make informed decisions about your care when the time comes.

Your baby is 31 weeks and getting smarter by the day. During this third trimester, your baby’s brain rapidly grows and triples in size! More connective pathways are created in the brain as your baby learns. Your baby is learning sounds, taste, muscle coordination, and movement. The brain and nervous system are also establishing independence and preparing to regulate temperature, cues for hunger and thirst, and sleep once outside the womb.