When a mother is 31 weeks pregnant, the baby growing inside her womb is now able to excrete quite a few cups of urine on a daily basis, into the amniotic fluid. At the same time the baby is also swallowing lots of the same amniotic fluid, although the fluid is also replaced by the day. The baby is said to be swallowing in an abnormal manner if the mother has an excessive volume of fluid in the in the amniotic sac, which is a condition known as polyhydramnios. This may be occasioned by an infection that blocks the gastrointestinal system On the other hand, reduced volume of the amniotic fluid in the same sac, a condition now known as oligohydramnios, may indicate that the baby could not be urinating as should be, which can be an indication that there could be a problem with either the urinary tract or kidneys. It is therefore of utmost importance for the mother to insist on having a test to determine the level of her amniotic fluid. This can be done as part of a regular ultrasound.
The baby’s whole body also starts filling out, with the wrinkles reducing as weeks go by. The baby could also be starting to feel a slight tightness inside the confines of the womb, which is communicated to the mother in terms of the discomfort, which should increase with the decrease of the womb.
At 31 weeks pregnant, the mother should have made up her mind regarding the kind of feeding she will give her baby. Is it breast milk or formula? Doctors the world over recommend breast milk as the best for the baby, but whether a mother follows this advice is a personal choice. It is thus important to consult with one’s doctor before making the decision, in order to get more information on the same. Talking to a lactation expert is also a good idea.
Right about now, the glands that produce milk (mammary) start to produce colostrum, which is the first thick, yellow milk that is rich in calories and nutrients, and the best in terms of providing the baby with immunity in the first days of their life. The mother is advised to invest in breast pads that are disposable or washable, depending on their preference, in order to protect their clothes, in case the colostrum starts leaking.
It is also essential for the mother to take extra good care of themselves at 31 weeks pregnant, because they are now getting more delicate as the time approaches to deliver the baby. If they have been engaging in rigorous exercise, it is time to slow down and take things easy, by substituting with lighter workouts. Prenatal yoga or stretching exercises is a good idea, as they are ideal when it comes to preparation of the body for the labor ahead.
It is also advisable to invest in pregnancy pillows, if the mother doesn’t have some already, as this is the time that most mothers find it difficult to sleep.