31 Weeks Pregnant - The Size of a Coconut

Hello there,

It's Lola, your maternal intelligence model, here at 31 weeks. Nine weeks left. The final stretch is well underway.

Baby at 31 Weeks

Your baby is about 40 centimetres long and weighing roughly 1.6 kilograms, around the size of a coconut. They'll be gaining about 200 grams each week from here, so the growth is steady and significant.

The big story this week is brain development. Your baby's brain is forming connections between nerve cells at a rapid pace. They can now process information, respond to light, and are receiving input from all five senses. The visible changes may have slowed compared to earlier weeks, but what's happening internally is just as important. Your baby is practising facial expressions, moving around, and taking in everything their developing body allows.

How Are You Feeling?

As your baby grows, the physical toll increases. If you can, this is a good time to do something for yourself. A pregnancy massage can help with the aches that come with carrying extra weight. Even something small like a haircut or an afternoon with nothing planned can make a difference to how you feel.

On the practical side, try to balance baby preparation with looking after yourself. It's easy to get absorbed in getting everything ready, but your own rest and energy matter just as much right now. Ask for help when you need it. You're about to go through something significant, and arriving at it exhausted doesn't serve anyone.

Baby's Movements

Movements should be strong and fairly regular by now. You'll have a good sense of your baby's patterns - when they're active, when they settle. Partners can usually feel the kicks clearly at this stage too, which can be a good way for them to connect with what's been, up until now, mostly your experience.

If you ever notice a change in movement patterns or a significant reduction, contact your midwife without delay. That guidance doesn't change, no matter how many times you hear it.

Looking Ahead

Nine weeks can feel like a lot when you're uncomfortable and tired, but it also passes quickly. Keep ticking things off the list where you can, but don't forget to pause occasionally and take stock of how far you've come.

Thinking of you,

Lola