31 Weeks pregnant, I really am on the home stretch now. My bump feels like it is massive..I suppose it’s all relative, but I’m reminded of my size when I try to do things like get up off the floor or squeeze between two cars in a car park and I know its only going to get bigger.
So, we have 9 weeks until the baby is due. Of course, one never knows when baby will decide to make its entrance and if it is anything like E it wont be here on time. She was eleven days over based on the hospital’s date and a week over based on my dates.
It is said that the average baby at 31 weeks pregnant measures over 16 inches long and weighs about 3 1/3 pounds – roughly the size of a coconut and is heading towards a growth spurt. I guess my bump is about to start expanding even more soon then. The baby can now move its head from side to side and is plumping out more and the arms and legs are now in proportion with its head. The baby’s organs are continuing to mature and it is passing water from its bladder, which is good practice for the weeing it will be doing once its born.
The baby is keeping me on my toes and moving a lot! There is a regular pattern to its movements which is good but as space is getting a little cramped in their the movements seem to feel like really big movements. When the wriggler is on the move my whole tummy moves with it. I think the baby has been doing some somersaults this week and its favourite time is just as I get into bed. Because of this my bump seems to be changing shape all the time. The baby has had hiccups quite a lot again this week, E finds this funny as she can put her hand on the bump and feel a rhythmic movement.
My energy levels this week have been changeable, one moment I am tired with zero motivation and the next I have an abundance of energy – I think the craving for sweet things might have something to do with that. I have also suffered with baby brain this week – thinking that I need to do something then forgetting to do it all together. I had a health visitor appointment booked and I completely forgot and went out for the day with E. Luckily she understood and we rescheduled.
I’m still rocking my limited maternity wardrobe but mixing it with a few cheap larger size items from Primark and Asda as I refuse to purchase any more maternity clothes, especially with not long left.
The highlight of this last week was getting to go out with the girls, I went out for a meal with the mum’s that I met at antenatal classes when I was pregnant first time round. it was so nice to go out, get dressed up a little and have adult conversation and some fun. I felt more ‘alive’ and full of energy than I have had in weeks. It was just what was needed to perk me up. I stayed out until midnight but paid for it the next day with tiredness. But I did have a lovely meal, a yummy steak and a good catch up with friends.
All dressed up and ready to go out..
It was a great night, I did however get a few looks as if to say what is a pregnant woman doing in a pub on a Saturday night which made me chuckle.
I don’t have any particular cravings at the moment, just sweet foods as a whole which I am enjoying. I am still taking the disgusting iron syrup which I assume is helping with my occasional energy bursts. On the upside of things I haven’t suffered with any more heart burn which is great but some days I struggle to eat a large meal and need to eat little and often, its seems to depend on what position the baby is in.
We are still trying to get organised in the house, E’s new big girl room has been decorated and I am hoping after next weekend she will move into her new room and hopefully will settle in there ok. Once she is moved the small room can be transformed back into a nursery and we can finally start sorting baby things out.. lets hope this baby has no plans of arriving early as it currently has nowhere to sleep!
That’s all for bump watch this week, come back next week for the next instalment..
