Week 31: Another day, another ounce

Fetal development in pregnancy week 31:


fetus in seventh month
Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and
height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby
fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when
they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can
expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight
per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's
just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!Your
baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength
over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our
disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your
child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as
well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could
already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is
still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much
as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows
for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during
labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when
it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot”
on their head for up to one year after birth.

And how's mom doing?
Have you felt anything you suspect might
be contractions already? Braxton-Hick contractions are part and parcel
of the second half of pregnancy and lucky for you, become more frequent
during the third trimester. Cleverly dubbed “false labor” contractions,
these spasms are an obnoxious fake-out and So next
time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery
store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your
clothes, bras, and any remaining shreds of dignity you can salvage
shouldn’t be confused with premature labor. The fun part of having BH
contractions is that it’s not unusual for them to be painful... and by
fun, we mean “why oh why, does the third trimester mean everything is
uncomfortable?” Still, just a heads up: if you notice the contractions
more than four times in one hour, or even more glamorous—changes in
your vaginal discharge, call your healthcare practitioner right away.As
for other third-trimester niceties; your nipples may be engaging in a
bit of “pre-milk” expulsion at the most untimely moments. So next time
you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store,
just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes,
bras, and any remaining shreds of dignity you can salvage.As
your magical growing baby obstinately refuses to shrink or give back
any real-estate in your belly, you can sit back, "relax," and take in
the heartburn and increased lower back pain. If you choose, you can
always eat less with each meal, and instead opt for smaller more
frequent meals, this should help the heartburn. As for your poor back,
get off your feet and elevate them above your heart, double-check the
names list, and how many key baby-items you’ve already got in your
registry. If you’re lucky, you might just make it in less than eight
weeks! Hang in there wonder-mom, we believe in you!