Week 31: Baby
Expert tip
Take a newborn care class, infant CPR course, or tour your delivery hospital before 36 weeks.
Baby's development this week
- All five senses functioning
- Rapid eye movements (REM) in sleep
- Lungs nearly mature — surfactant levels sufficient
- Bones fully calcified except skull (which stays flexible for birth)
Science fact
By 31 weeks, the fetus can distinguish between light and dark with its eyes open — blinking in response to bright light. The visual cortex is already processing basic light information.
Your symptoms this week
Carpal tunnel symptoms
tingling and numbness in hands; wrist splints worn at night help significantly
Nesting instinct intensifying
productive but don
,
Changes in your body
- Difficult to find comfortable sleeping position
- Forgetfulness and
- may intensify
- Nesting instinct often strong
- Possible carpal tunnel, tingling in hands and wrists
Mental health this week
Carpal tunnel affects up to 60% of pregnant women — the numbness and tingling are from fluid retention compressing the median nerve, not permanent nerve damage.
Nutrition focus
- Eat iron-rich snacks between meals — dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, fortified cereals
- Vitamin B12 (2.6mcg/day): essential for fetal nervous system — meat, eggs, dairy, or supplement if vegan
- Reduce sugary snacks — they cause blood sugar spikes that increase gestational diabetes risk
Appointment / test
Book your hospital tour and antenatal ward orientation before 34 weeks.
This week's checklist
Tour your delivery hospital or birth center
Finalize your birth support team (partner, doula, support person)
Complete your maternity leave paperwork
Track your pregnancy week by week
Interactive guide · 40 weeks · Fruit size visualizations · Personalized tips
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