What does baby look like at 31 weeks?

At 31 weeks, your baby is the size of a Coconut — 16.2 in long, 1.5 kg. All five senses functioning. Rapid eye movements (REM) in sleep

31 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development & What to Expect

Q: What symptoms are normal at 31 weeks pregnant?

Carpal tunnel symptoms — tingling and numbness in hands; wrist splints worn at night help significantly. Nesting instinct intensifying — productive but don

Q: What should I do at 31 weeks pregnant?

Tour your delivery hospital or birth center. Finalize your birth support team (partner, doula, support person)

💡 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

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Tour your delivery hospital or birth center

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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

Explore Week 31 in the Interactive Guide →

Week 31: Baby

🌱 Baby's development this week

🤰 Your symptoms this week

💛 Changes in your body

🥗 Nutrition focus

✅ This week's checklist

Track your pregnancy week by week