31 Weeks Pregnant

This can be a special time in your pregnancy. You won t be so big that moving around has become too challenging just yet, but it's obvious to everyone that you are pregnant. This comes with some special privileges, especially if you are around other parents. For the first time ever, you may be offered someone's seat on public transport, be invited to take the first place in a queue or other generally thoughtful gestures may be extended to you. It is generally worthwhile to accept these invitations in the spirit in which they are offered. Even if you don t feel as if you strictly qualify for special consideration at 31 weeks of pregnancy, you will need to get in some practice. The day will come when you will be very grateful for them.

Remember, pregnant women should be given special consideration - after all, it is their children who will someday be contributing to the lives of us all as we age.

I feel blah!

If you're feeling a little ho hum why not treat yourself? So much focus can be on the baby that you may be feeling you're not as important as you would like. Have a massage, a trip to the beautician, a weekend away or just see a movie. Spending time with girlfriends and family can be incredibly restorative to a flagging spirit. Give yourself permission to invest some time into yourself and don t feel guilty if you aren t focusing on the baby every minute of the day. It's time will come but for now, the best thing you can do is to care well for its mother.

Your physical changes this week

• Your tummy is expanding more at 31 weeks, causing your skin to stretch a little more, and more and more. Many women develop stretch marks in the third trimester though little can be done to stop them forming. Try to watch your weight gain and aim to stick within the total recommended 10-12 kilograms range. You ll find it so much easier to return to your pre-pregnancy weight if you have not had an excessive pregnancy gain.
• You could notice yourself becoming short of breath now, especially if you are rushing about. Try to watch your posture and give your lungs as much room to inflate as they can. It's getting crowded in your tummy now but the simple act of sitting up straight and pulling back your shoulders can give a much needed couple of extra centimetres to your mid region.
• Colostrum could be leaking from your breasts this week, the yellowish-clear early milk which is so ideal for newborns. If you've had a baby before you could find you have more colostrum than if this is your first baby. Some women need to wear a nursing pad inside their bra on some days. If they are wearing a dark coloured top, leakages are more obvious.
• Your body's iron stores could be depleting now, so it's very important you do what you can to boost them. Your body needs Vitamin C to help it absorb dietary iron. So have plenty of fresh fruits and juice as well when you are trying to increase your iron intake. Red meat, green leafy vegetables, good quality cereals, dried fruits and legumes are all good sources of iron.