30 Weeks, 1 Day - The 31st Week

My Symptoms
I can't believe I'm officially out of the 20's. Sometimes it feels like it will be here fast, other times I feel like I've still got a ways to go. For example, my work shower is this week and that feels too soon. Also, now that we've got the nursery painted and furniture in there, I don't feel like I'm behind. I should probably start washing the baby sheets and clothes we have so far though, so it isn't suddenly December and I am out of time. As far as baby stuff goes. Again, not much has changed. Grace still has quiet days (Saturday, for example) and then other days, she kicks and moves all day long. She's still in the same position and likes to stick her feet out on my right side. I've also noticed some kicks a whole lot closer to my ribs. It's hard to believe she's up that high. My appetite has kicked in. I've been eating like a horse! Oh well, I've still got a good 3 months before the diet needs to kick back in. Eric also pointed out my first stretch mark today. It's on my hip, not belly, and I don't think it looks so bad. I'm sure there will be more to come, but I hope they stay off of my stomach. I also wanted to do a 30 week belly picture, so I'll try to remember tomorrow to do measurements and a picture.

The Baby
Your baby continues to grow. It weighs about 3.5 pounds and crown-to-rump length is 11.2 inches. Its total length is 18 inches.

Baby knows your voice. Singing to him, talking to him, and telling him all about the world he’ll be joining soon is a great way for you and your partner to bond with the baby -- and each other! His fingernails have grown and he may even need a manicure after he's born.

This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. He weighs a little over 3 pounds and is headed for a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and he's beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath his skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, his arms, legs, and body are filling out.

You may worry that if you are breathless from walking or sometimes even just sitting that your baby is in danger. This is not true. Your baby is getting plenty of oxygen from your placenta.
The baby's irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. Due to the deposits of white fat underneath the skin the baby's skin is no longer red but pink, and your baby weighs about three pounds and five ounces (1.5 kilograms). The finger nails may reach the end of the hands.

The Mom
Measuring from the pubic symphysis, it is now a little more than 12 inches (31 cm) to the top of the uterus. From your bellybutton, it is about 4.4 inches. At 12 weeks' gestation, the uterus was jjust filling the pelvis. By this week the uterus fills a large part of you abdomen. Your total pregnancy weight gain by this time should be between 21 and 27 pounds.

Things are beginning to get tight in there, and heartburn and indigestion are common. Eat small meals more often and drink lots of water. You may have developed the pregnant "waddle" -- that happens because pregnancy softens the ligaments in your pelvis, allowing your hips to spread to make room for the baby. Don’t worry, you won’t walk like a duck forever!

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. Some expectant moms experience this leaking, others don't; either way, it's perfectly normal and you can rest assured that your body is doing what it's meant to do. If you're leaking, you may want to tuck some nursing pads in your bra to protect your clothes. And if you plan to breastfeed, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. If your current bra is too snug, go ahead and wear the nursing bra now. (When shopping, choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now to accommodate the swelling that will take place when your milk comes in.)Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Some women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Lasting from 30 to 60 seconds, they're nonrhythmic and irregular and, at this point in your pregnancy, they should be infrequent and not painful. (When you're within a few weeks of your due date, it's normal for Braxton Hicks contractions to become more frequent and even somewhat painful; in fact, they're often called "false labor" because sometimes it can be hard to tell them from the real thing.) Until 37 weeks, though, your baby is still premature. So if you're getting frequent contractions (even if they don't hurt), it may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have an increase or change in vaginal discharge (especially if it's watery, mucus-like, or pink or tinged with blood), abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping, more than four contractions in an hour, an increase in pressure in the pelvic area, or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

Your abdomen swells and your rib cage and pelvis may be sore as the baby gets bigger and fills up all the space you have available. While it is really great that your baby is gaining weight and growing strong, you may be in line for different discomforts at this stage of the game.
Some women will have more heartburn as the uterus displaces the internal organs, leaving less room for her stomach and its contents. This can be relieved by remaining upright after a meal. Some women say that eating smaller, more frequent meals helps their heartburn. Remember to ask your practitioner before using any medications, even over the counter products.
One of the most frequent complaints in pregnancy is back pain. This can start at almost any point of pregnancy and can continue well into the first postpartum year. Some of this can be relieved by maintaining good posture, exercise, and stretching. And don't forget to ask your partner for a back rub! The pregnant body produces a hormone called relaxin. This is what loosens the pelvis making it mobile to help your baby be born. However, this can also cause waddling! I also refer to this as "feeling like a Barbie with her legs pulled off." This is only temporary, and while it may be a pain now, come birth time you'll be rather grateful!
A few women will breeze by even this phase of pregnancy without any discomforts. This does not mean that your body isn't preparing for birth. It could be pain tolerance levels, exercise and agility levels and many other factors. So, count your blessings if you fall into this category!