Week 31 of Your Pregnancy

Though your baby’s development is starting to slow, it is busy practising his breathing, swallowing, urinating and even hiccupping. Feeling excessive hunger and concerned that you’re gaining too much weight? In this article, we have just the tips for you!

Measuring 28cm and 1.5kg, your baby is the size of a coconut! Though baby is still gaining weight this week, its growth is starting to slow a little1. Until it is born though, your little buttercup will continue to breathe2, swallow amniotic fluid and excrete this as urine3. 

What colour would your baby’s eyes be? Big and hazel, or almond-shaped and grey? This week, your baby’s eye colour will be developing. Whatever the colour of your baby’s eyes, its true colour may take months to emerge! By week 31, your baby’s eyes would already be responsive to light, with the pupils able to dilate. Its eyelids are also so well-developed that baby can now open and close its eyes1.

Managing Mood Swings

If you’re suddenly irritable or down, blame those mood swings on your hormones! It also doesn’t help that you’re feeling worn out and stressed over preparing for birth. But hey yummy mummy, you are not alone – feeling stressed is just another aspect of the pregnancy experience! Here are some ways to loosen and cheer up: 

• Get plenty of sleep
• Exercise regularly
• Eat well, and enjoy your meals
• Surround yourself with positive vibes from family and friends
• Take little breaks during the day
• Ask your partner for a massage!

Managing Hunger and Weight Gain

Even if you’ve just eaten a meal, sometimes you just can’t help but feel hunger pangs. This urge to munch is perfectly normal! In fact, it may be your body’s way of telling you that it needs more nutrients and energy. To ensure that you don’t gain too much weight, here are some helpful tips: (WeHaveKids) 

• Eat foods high in fibre – they are usually more filling
• Eat low-calorie foods when you feel hungry, such as cucumbers, strawberries and melons
• Stay hydrated to keep you feeling full – especially between meals
• Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy body weight

Vitamin C — Aids Iron Absorption

Your pregnancy diet is important because it not only has to fulfil your needs, but your little passenger’s needs! With all the new cognitive functions your baby is developing, it is important to ensure that you get enough iron. To help your body better absorb iron from plant sources, take sufficient Vitamin C! 

Fortunately, Vitamin C and iron can be found in many different foods, which means that getting a good balance in your diet should not be a challenge. The recommended amount of vitamin C during pregnancy is 40mg per day, with an extra 10mg in the third trimester of pregnancy4. 

Sick of oranges? Consider adding these sources of vitamin C to your meals: 

• Fruit — kiwi fruit, strawberries or blueberries
• A squeeze of lemon or lime
• Fruit juice
• Steamed broccoli
• Raw spinach leaves
• Tomatoes
• Brussels sprouts