Tips For Moms Partner:
Having a new baby is a big responsibility, and you may feel a variety of emotions including anxiety. However, this can be decreased by ensuring that you and your partner are prepared for potential emergency situations. Look into taking a class on infant CPR and first aid. Check with local community centers or your partners health care provider to see where these classes are offered.
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What You Need To Shop For
It might be time for you to think about how you want your newborns room decorated. Buy enough maternity clothes to last the pregnancy, but dont forget post-pregnancy clothes as well. You should also consider buying feeding equipment like nursing bras, bottles, and so on. If youre buying a crib for your baby, dont purchase those with bumpers and certainly dont keep pillows, toys or blankets in there, as these objects increase the risk of SIDS . Also, consider buying an outdoor pram so you can take your baby along with you for some fresh air.
As the date of delivery will soon be upon you, it is best if youre prepared well in time to enjoy the presence of your newborn. All the best!
Medela Pump In Style Advanced
For moms planning to breastfeed and pump, it can help to bring your breast pump to the hospital. Most moms said that the lactation consultant and nurse team at the hospital helped them get used to pumping and even helped set it up. Having the professionals assist you while youre already at the hospital will take one to-do off your list once you go home. Still need to buy your pump? We love the Medela Pump in Style Advanced .
If you have a pump or plan to use one its great to take it with you! They will help you get it set up, make sure the fit is good and show you how to use it if needed.Meggs100116
I wish I would have taken advantage of the lactation consultants and had them make sure my breast shield was the right size and that I knew how to properly pump.a_hightower
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Pedaling His Feet And Sucking His Thumb
So what’s your little dove doing all day while you’re busy feathering your nest for his arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall, and even sucking his thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they’re born with a little blister on their thumbs!
Mothers Changing Body: What To Expect
You may gain 3-4 pounds this month and it is normal to experience gradual weight gain in the last trimester.
As the due date is nearing, you may experience mixed emotions- happiness and fear about childbirth and parenting. If you feel so, it is normal and you are not alone talk to your partner and family for support.
This week, you may experience shortness of breath as the uterus is pushing the internal organs. However, you will feel better towards the end of pregnancy.
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What Are Braxton Hicks
You may feel your womb tighten and harden for a few seconds every so often. These painless, irregular Braxton Hicks contractions are normal in the second half of pregnancy.
If they become painful or regular, call your midwife.
I sorted my finances out before maternity leave and tried to save as much as I could, so there was a bit of a cushion when I didn’t have a full income coming in. Sonja, mum of two
Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy At 31 Weeks
Birthing Fears While its perfectly normal to fear such an unknown as giving birth, its important to take a close look at your fears.
For instance, ask yourself what truly scares you about birth. Maybe you think it will hurt too much, youll tear, or something will go wrong.
No matter what your fears, be sure that you face them and find a way to cope with that specific fear. For instance, if youre afraid it will hurt too badly then strategize a way to deal with the pain whether by deep breathing techniques, visualization, or even medication.
Educate
The more you know and understand about birth the less youll fear it as an indefinite unknown.
Prodromal Labor Also named false labor or pre-labor, prodromal labor is actual labor, but it doesnt result in the birth of your baby.
More than anything, they are frustrating and annoying bouts of contractions.
Unlike Braxton Hicks contractions, these contractions might actually progress then suddenly stop before hitting that point of active labor. It can be tough to tell the difference.
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Burts Bees Lip Balm 4
While a car seat is an obvious must-pack, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of delivery day and forget. A bunch of moms recommend installing your car seat far in advance. That way, when the big day comes, youll already be set to take baby home safely. If you havent bought your car seat yet, consider the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat it was voted a 2019 What To Expect award winner!
Weight/height limit: 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches tall
Weight: 9.6 pounds
Dimensions: 27.5 x 17 x 24 inches
car seat in the car. My hubby brought it up when we were getting discharged.mommaofthewildthings
Pregnancy Tips For Week 31
- To handle shortness of breath, try to sit straight and pull back your shoulder which will give some space to the mid region so that your lungs can inhale and exhale comfortably.
- As Vitamin C helps to absorb the iron from diet, take fresh fruits and fruit juices along with iron-rich foods. This way, you can cope with the iron deficiency.
- If you are working, it is necessary to take a break and walk for a while to improve blood circulation in the body.
- Track and familiarize with your babys movements as this will help you stay aware of any issues.
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What To Do If Your Baby Is Breech At 37 Weeks
If your baby is breech, your doctor may try to turn the baby, a process called version and she may recommend an extra ultrasound scan at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy to check the babys position. It may be difficult to be completely sure, on examination alone, whether the doctor is feeling the babys bottom or head.
Holly Pevzner is an award-winning writer who specializes in health, nutrition, parenting, and family travel. At 31 weeks pregnant, your baby is practicing some of the skills theyll need after birth like blinking and breathing. Your body may be practicing, toowith Braxon Hicks contractions and possibly some leaking colostrum. Which Trimester?
What You Must Know About Babies Born At The 31st Week
A baby born between 37 to 41 weeks is normal and healthy. However, if a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, he or she is generally termed as Premature or preterm. With excellent advancements in science and technology, preterm babies can definitely survive. However, since the babies are not fully developed and are more prone to some health problems, much intensive care is needed. Today the chances of survival of babies that are born between 31 and 34 weeks are more than 95%, which is mainly attributed to advancements in health care facilities.
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Third Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
Are you getting fake contractions? You may feel your bump tighten up for 20 to 30 seconds, then relax again . These are known as Braxton Hicks contractions and often referred to as “practice contractions”. These are perfectly normal and harmless. However, if they’re painful, or you start to get them at regular intervals, it could be a sign of early labour, so contact your midwife or doctor.
Earth Therapeutics Shea Butter Thera
The hospital will give you socks to wear, but trust us, having your own pair will feel glorious . You want to pamper your feet with the fluffiest socks you can find, because that is what mama deserves. These are soft, warm, non-skid and come in a two-pack so you can wear one each day youre at the hospital.
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Associated Complications Of Baby Born At 31 Weeks
Preterm baby is at a higher risk of healthcare problems due to under-developed body organs and systems. Concurrently, the risk and rate of complications are also higher than those of a baby born full-term. Some of the main problems include:
1. Breathing Problems
Fetal lungs are the last organ system to mature, so premature babies are at much higher risk of developing respiratory distress syndrome in which either the lungs are not fully functional or there is less amount of surfactant in alveoli. Surfactant is essential for the exchange of gases in lungs and helps in the prevention of lung collapse when the baby exhales. It is usually produced by fetal lungs after 34 weeks of intrauterine development.
Babies born at 31 weeks may either require breathing support to ensure optimal supply of oxygen to vital structures of the body usually by a machine called ventilator. Or they may need artificial surfactant for proper and easy respiration.
It is imperative to understand that respiration is monitored and controlled by certain areas of brain that are developed by 36 week of intrauterine life. The under-developed brain of baby born at 31 weeks may cause apnea that subsides as the baby grows and usually doesnt require long term treatment/medications.
2. Feeding Problems
3. Temperature Problems
4. Infections
5. Jaundice
Watch the video below to learn more about the potential problems of the baby born at 31 weeks of age:
Pregnancy Week 31 Tips
During this thirty-first week, many women are torn between loving and hating their bodies. Up until this point, you have gained weight at a steady pace. From this point on, however, you and your baby will begin to gain weight more quickly, and this can be difficult emotionally for some women. Its very important in this trimester that you have a strong support team inside and outside your home. These groups can help you get through emotional times. It may help to talk to other expectant moms who are due around the same time you are due. They can help you see that you are not alone in what you are experiencing! Next is pregnancy at 32 weeks.
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Changes In You And Your Body At 31 Weeks Pregnant
Looking a bit fuller in the bust? Gone up a cup size? The big day is getting closer, so your breasts are preparing to feed your hungry little human. If you find yellow flecks on your top thatll be colostrum. Its the first milk you produce when you start breastfeeding, often described as liquid gold because its highly concentrated goodness. The colostrum you give baby in their first few days contains the antibodies to boost tiny immune systems immediately after birth. If youre lucky enough to produce this milk early on speak to your midwife about whether its worth trying to harvest it for when baby arrives because you only produce a small amount at a time. Not all hospitals advocate this, so you may want to ask your midwife. You can find out more about expressing milk.
Together with growing baby and growing breasts mums to be can expect to put on 1kg to 1.5kg between now and birth.
My Fingers Hurt And Keep Going Numb Why Is This
Even your fingers can be affected by pregnancy. If you find your fingers are becoming numb, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Give your hands a shake whenever you can and if you use a keyboard, try to keep your elbows above your wrists. If youre struggling to cope with the pain, talk to your doctor or midwife.
Cramps, indigestion, heartburn and constipation are all fairly common symptoms during pregnancy.
Heres our guide to 10 common pregnancy complaints .
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Keeping Abreast: The Lowdown On Breastfeeding
Right now, your baby will be practising sucking, which is a vital skill for feeding. Have you thought how you would like to feed your baby?
Breastfeeding gets your baby off to a flying start because:
- breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight infections
- your baby is less likely to get stomach bugs and develop breathing problems
- it’s available whenever your baby needs it
Find out more about breastfeeding.
There are lots of ways your partner can support you, such as bringing you drinks while you feed your baby.
Unfortunately not every woman is able to breastfeed. There may be health reasons why you can’t, for example if you are taking medication that could go into your breast milk, or if you’re recovering from surgery. You can still get your baby off to a great start, with bottles of formula and lots of love and cuddles!
What Is Happening With Your Baby
Your baby can turn his head from side to side now. In fact, hes probably moving so much that you might be having trouble sleeping through all his kicks and somersaults. Take comfort knowing all this wriggling is a sign that your baby is active and healthy. Your baby is continuing to develop a layer of fat under the skin. This gives her more of a newborn appearance. During the next several weeks, your baby will begin to put on even more weight. Remember the average size of a newborn is about 7 ½ pounds and 19 to 21 inches long.
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What Does My Baby Look Like
Your baby, or foetus, is around 41.1cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 1.5kg. That’s approximately the size and weight of a coconut.
Your baby is very active, moving around, sucking their fingers, and doing the odd somersault. Day by day, your baby is getting plumper and looking less wrinkled. The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby is increasing â and that’s due to your baby peeing into it!
Your baby will start to recognise voices outside the womb, so encourage your partner and any other children to talk to your bump, to help create a strong bond between them.
Baby’s Developing Five Senses
Your baby’s brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells he’s got to make billions of them! are being made at a super fast rate. He’s now processing information, tracking light and perceiving signals from all five senses.
Sure, your baby may not be able to smell too much right now, though he likely can smell and taste different foods you eat through the amniotic fluid as well as catch a whiff of some beauty products you use .
Lucky for you and your baby, yours will be one of the very first scents he breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his very favorite.
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Put Baby To Sleep On Her Back
You should always put your baby to sleep flat on her back on a firm, flat surface at naptime and bedtime until her first birthday. Tummy sleeping puts infants at risk for suffocation or overheating and increases the chance of SIDS.
Once your baby is able to roll over on her own while she’s sleeping, from stomach to back and from back to tummy, its fine to let her keep sleeping that way. Babies can typically roll over between 3 and 6 months, but it can happen earlier , so keep a close eye on her.
If it seems like your newborn has rolled onto her side, thats probably her reflexes at work. Shell likely lose the ability to do that by the time shes a month old.
Little Me Welcome To The World Footie And Cap Set
While your baby will be wrapped in a swaddle for most of her time at the hospital, dont forget to pack an outfit or two for her to wear home. This adorable unisex outfit is both cozy and cute, perfect for taking your newest arrival home. Some moms recommend bringing multiple outfits, just in case an accident happens before its time to go or if you plan on taking professional photos at the hospital. Some moms also say its not a bad idea to bring an extra blanket or sleeper.
extra outfits for the baby incase he spits up or accidentally pees and the diaper isn’t on correctly at the time.Piscesmama1719
Dont forget a nice or dressy outfit for baby if you plan on buying the hospital photos. family of 5 now
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What You Could Do This Week
Think about the type of birth you would like and consult with your doctor on it. Remember that your doctor will be the expert who will guide you in the best way. Most women go for some kind of pain relief at labor. The most popular one being an epidural labor medication that provides pain relief to the lower part of the body while the upper parts remain conscious. Other women chose a drug free approach where they go through natural childbirth accepting all the pain and discomforts that come with it. Then there are those whom the doctor will decide that a C-section will be best due to complications that may arise during labor. This is a good time to discuss the process with your doctor and the implications for you and your baby.
At 31 weeks pregnant there is the reality that you are getting closer to delivery. You are definitely getting heavier as your baby puts on weight and becomes more active. At the same time, you are feeling the discomforts that come with the stage, but you have better things to do and think about right now.
Check on your next weeks pregnancy
