Pregnancy week 31 to week 34
Welcome to the third trimester of pregnancy! Good news for mummies! You have another one month before you finally meeting with your baby!
Can’t wait to see your little one! To witness that development that you’ve learnt so far. Be patient, as time will come soon, very soon! Let’s learn a little more!
31st week of pregnancy
Baby starts to develop five senses for birth
Your baby at this week is as big as a coconut. Your baby measures 41 cm and weigh about 1.5kg. Your baby’s brain is developing so quickly this day to connect all the senses. They are sure to be made at a fast rate. This week, the baby starts to develop five senses for birth including making important neural connections to ensure all five senses are on point. Although your baby may not be able to smell anything right now, but, you will be the first sense they will develop. Mummies own scent that will become their favourite. Yes, this soon-to-be baby is ready to see, feel, touch, taste and hear! Expect Braxton Hicks contraction This week, mummies may expect Braxton Hicks contraction as your body’s practicing for giving birth. Mummies may feel your belly tighten up and get rock hard for about 30 seconds. It is just mildly uncomfortable and will go away when you switch positions. To ease the discomfort, drink lots of water and stay well-hydrated to prevent from having too many Braxton Hicks contractions and to avoid preterm labour. Call the doctor if you have more than four contractions in an hour.
For pregnant mum, you will experience heartburn/ indigestion that occurs during pregnancy. The cause of heartburn or indigestion is when the stomach acids are being pushed upwards out of the stomach and went into your throat. To avoid this situation from occurring, try to eat little and avoid fatty and spicy foods. Drinking milk may also help to reduce heartburn or indigestion.
32nd week of pregnancy
Baby starts practicing sucking and swallowing
This week, your baby is as big as a napa cabbage. Your baby measures 41 – 43 cm and weighs about 1.6 – 1.8 kg. Mummies, you have another 8 weeks before you deliver! On week 32, your baby is practicing sucking and swallowing to prepare their digestive system for drinking milk. Fetal position perhaps, all mummies out there are wondering what is the position of your baby. This week,
your fetal position has changed. Babies position change to being head-down, bottom-up and facing your back. This is to prepare for the birthing process. Plus, it is easier if your baby head comes out first during delivery. However, mummies, you don’t have to worry if your baby hasn’t changed position yet. There is still a chance they will flip before birth even in the most confined space.
33rd week of pregnancy
Baby’s bone will begin to harden
At 33 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is about the size of a pineapple. He or she weighs about 43cm and measures about 1.9 kg. This week, your baby’s bone will begin to harden but the skull will still be soft at birth. To allow the head to move through the birth canal aka your vagina.
Don’t worry if her head looks a little misshapen at birth. In no time, the soft skull will go back to normal in the first 2 years of their life. That is why mummies need to be gentle with the head post-birth. Your baby is still fragile at this stage, thus be very careful!
Baby is developing an immune system from mom’s antibodies
This week, the baby is developing an immune system from mom’s antibodies that they get from you as they continue to develop his fetal immune system. That immune system will come in handy once they are born to fight off all sorts of germs. Once they are born, they will be strong enough to fight all the germs and that is why mummies need to have good antibodies! This will be helpful to your newborn.
34th week of pregnancy
Breathing fluid
Welcome to 34 weeks of pregnancy. This week, your baby development, breathing fluid is still happening in the respiratory system. Your baby's lungs continue to grow and mature. For your information, your baby is practicing for their first breath by inhaling amniotic fluid. They made their first breath inside the womb! Your baby never tired from practicing until the day they made it to the world! Finger and toenails will be completely ready, and mummies you might need to buy baby clippers to cut those tiny nails once they are born. Their finger and toenails will be completely ready as their nails are growing quickly. Babies sometimes could not control their hands, so they often scratch themselves. Mummies need to cut those tiny nails to prevent any mishaps. Mummies need to be ready with all the equipment before they are born!
You also may see your baby's gender this week. If your baby is a boy, the testicles are making their way down from the abdomen to the scrotum. Some full-term baby boys are born with undescended testicles but it was roughly around 3 to 4 per cent. Don’t worry, they usually make the trip down sometime before the first birthday. 30 percent of preterm boys are born with undescended testicles, too. For mummies, you don’t have to worry. You will be able to see their gender once they are born. There won’t be much time left before you can meet them.
