31 weeks pregnant: symptoms, tips and more
You are coming to terms....you are three quarters of the way through your pregnancy....you may feel a little short of breath, but not just because of the excitement of getting to this stage....your growing uterus may be pushing (if not all of your internal organs) under your diaphragm and this may make it difficult to breathe....but it will probably last less than 1 week....
Physical changes
Along with the pressure on the diaphragm from above, the uterus also puts pressure on the bladder at the bottom...so you may have a frequent urge to urinate...and you may have a small amount of discharge when you sneeze or laugh a lot.
But as soon as the pressure of the uterus on the bladder is stopped after delivery, this problem will probably be resolved. Of course, in some women, the pressure of pregnancy on the pelvic muscles weakens these muscles, so there is still incontinence when laughing or coughing after pregnancy.
Doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy and after can help prevent or minimize this complication.
Another type of leakage can also become a problem around the 31st week. A creamy liquid called colostrum can leak from the breasts before and shortly after delivery. This liquid is thicker than breast milk, so using a breast pad inside your underwear can be a good idea.
Colostrum may leak only occasionally, or it may never appear during pregnancy....Both are normal.
Child
Baby is getting ready for the big day too....on average, a baby grows taller and heavier by the day, about 15 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds....as more fat accumulates under the skin, they look more and more like a newborn baby...Be prepared for your baby to gain height and weight with each visit to the doctor in the coming weeks.
Other changes in this week of the baby include the gradual loss of long hair (small hair that covers most of the body).. Now the baby's eyes can be seen and reflexes such as thumb sucking are also seen.. In addition, the lungs and nervous system are almost fully developed.
Formation of twins in the 31st week
Children's nervous systems are now well developed.... If they are born at this time, they can regulate their body temperature.... Even if they are born at 31 weeks, they may need medical help, but they have a good chance of survival.
Symptoms of pregnancy in the 31st week
In the 31st week, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Feeling short of breath
- Urine frequency
- Leakage from the breasts Leg cramps or back pain
- Hemorrhoids
- Constipation
But as mentioned earlier, with the birth of the baby, shortness of breath, frequent urination and leaking breasts will disappear.... Here are some tips to deal with leg cramps, back pain and hemorrhoids:
Leg pain and back pain
At the end of a long day of activity with baby, you may want nothing more than to lie down and rest in bed....Unfortunately, leg cramps are common at this stage of pregnancy, especially at night....Lie on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs....Place a pillow under your stomach for extra support....This position may also relieve back pain.
.. If leg cramps and back pain become unbearable, Look for a massage therapist who specializes in childbirth massage....Avoid massaging your feet if you have hot or red sore spots....The chances of blood clots increase during pregnancy....If you think you have a developing blood clot, you should call your doctor right away....Keep active and drink plenty of fluids.
hemorrhoids
The third trimester is also when you may experience hemorrhoids (swollen and usually painful veins near the rectum).... Ask your doctor about over-the-counter creams or pads that are safe to use during pregnancy.
Painful hemorrhoids that bleed or protrude from the anus may be thrombosed hemorrhoids and may require minor surgery.
Constipation, another common pregnancy symptom, can make hemorrhoid pain worse. So, make sure you're getting enough fiber and water every day.
Actions to be taken this week to have a healthy pregnancy
If you are still preparing the baby's room, try to get everything together as soon as possible so that you are not too active during the birth... it is better to rest before the big day.
Now might be a good time to plan your maternity leave....do your research on how the process works and make sure you sign all the necessary paperwork....talk to your boss and co-workers about the leave....fixing it now is one less thing to think about as your due date approaches.
If you're planning to send your child to daycare and haven't made arrangements yet, check out a few daycares this week....it's not a last minute decision and it will be easier to go without your little one....if you were on the waiting list a few weeks ago, check back now to see if there's an opening....also consider a licensed babysitter.
Time to call the doctor
Braxton Hicks contractions
If you experience severe pain during your pregnancy, you should notify your doctor.. You may start having Braxton Hicks contractions this week.. These harmless contractions occur as the uterus tightens.. They are just "practice" contractions to prepare your body for labor.
Braxton Hicks contractions usually last a minute or two, but tell your doctor if they take longer or become more frequent or stronger. It could be a sign of preterm labor.
Keep in mind that although it's not ideal, most babies born after 31 weeks have a good chance of survival and growth, but they need special neonatal care.. Babies born at 40 weeks do best.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is more likely to occur during your pregnancy, but may occur earlier or even rarely after delivery. Preeclampsia is more than just blood pressure and can lead to damage to organs, especially the kidneys. If you don't have a blood pressure monitor at home (which you should) and you notice symptoms like severe headache, upper abdominal pain, and vision changes or severe nausea, tell your doctor right away or go to the emergency room.For advice on childbirth and pregnancy, you can refer to doctors specializing in childbirth and pregnancy.
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