Dates and numbers:
There are 62 days until your due date on January 23, 2009.
You are 218 days pregnant.
You are 7.1 months pregnant.
You are in your 8th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: April 18, 2008 to July 17, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: July 18, 2008 to October 30, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: October 31, 2008 to January 23, 2009. (28 - 40 weeks)

Your baby is continuing to grow each week that you remain pregnant. Your baby's crown-to-rump length is nearly 11.2 inches and total length is approximately 18 inches. Your baby weighs approximately 3.5 pounds at this point. Your uterus is about 4.4 inches above your bellybutton and continues to get larger. An average weight gain at this point is between 21 and 27 pounds. The weight that you gain is made up of your baby, placenta, blood supply, uterus, breasts, fat, water storage and amniotic fluid.
Because the ligaments and muscles supporting the small of your back relax and loosen in order to get ready for childbirth, your back may be aching from now on. There is usually nothing that can be done to prevent backaches, only to make them more comfortable. Many women get heartburn during these last few weeks of pregnancy because the oversized uterus leaves less room for the stomach and the contents within the stomach. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help relieve the discomforts of heartburn.
This week marks an incredible milestone in your baby's lung development. Before now, the air sacs and branches in your baby's lungs were present but not functional. The lungs were not able to inflate properly. However, now there is surfactant being produced in your baby's lungs. Surfactant prevents your baby's lungs from collapsing outside of the uterus and the baby is able to take in air and breathe properly. The fetal ear is almost completely developed both inside and out. Your baby can hear your voice and other familiar sounds that she will recognize after birth. Your baby is putting on white fat under the skin and the skin's color is pink instead of red at this point. Your baby's fingernails have grown to the end of her fingers and she may scratch herself while she is in the womb.
Comments on week 31Comments 1-49 of about 4766 from week 31
70 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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Show latest comments from all weekscutelilsurprise -
27 minutes ago
As far as strep goes, watch for a fever, but also if your throat is sore for more than a few days, it's a good idea to have a culture done. Strep is not something that you want to let go. It can eventually affect your body in other ways, even going to your heart. And you do not want to take any chances with that lil baby.bezzi44 -
1.2 hours ago
Morning Mammas - I've still got that crazy pain in my side. I didn't sleep for crap last night and DH made it home around 4:30AM It took and extra 1.5 hrs b/c the snow in southern MI, Northing IL was terrible. They were driving 30mph on the highway. Anyway, I got up and took the kids to school/day-care and I guess I'll head into work now. I got a 2hr nap in before the phone rang. It's not as bad this morning as last night. It really hurts right where I thought my baby tried to stab me the other night. Every time she shoves some body part there, it really hurts. I have no idea what it could be. And every time I stood up last night, I'd have a contraction. UGH!!! Just want this to be done!!! Everyone keeps saying how small I am and I want to deck them b/c I feel like I can't move (posting a belly pic in wk31). Hope everyone is having a better day! Cyber hugs to all of you!!!usplus1andahalf -
1.3 hours ago
philly-I would just say to take your temp and let your doc know if it spikes...a high temp can cause babies heart rates to drop...hence my ce-section (I got a temp...while in labor, his heart rate dropped and I needed an emergency section). Just something to keep an eye on. Otherwise we can still get sick while pregnant and the babies a re fine.leah06303 -
1.5 hours ago
As far as the Epi. goes, I was induced early with my first born because of preeclampsia. I received the epi. at only 3 cm. because the pitocin makes your contractions so much harder and stronger. Our daughter did just fine when she was born (was a preemie as well). She had apgars of 8 and 9. They told me that the epi. wouldnt affect her breathing at birth or anything...their only concern was her lack of oxygen because I had preeclampsia. Everyone has their own opinions about things. I go into labor with an open mind and tell myself I will do what I need to do to deliver a healthy baby and have an ENJOYABLE labor. I think thats the most important thing. I like the fact that with the epi. you are able to enjoy the process more comfortably. preggers87 -
1.7 hours ago
OMG! I totally admire you all that can go without an epidural. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance, but I will definitely have an epidural again this time. If it were a high risk for my baby or something then yeah definitely I would go without, but I can absolutely not stand being checked 1000 times! or at least it feels like that many. I had my epidural early last time and I think I will again this time just so I dont have to feel them check me! ugh! hate thinking about it! Glad you are all doing well! cowgirlygirl28 -
1.8 hours ago
Philly~Im with you on the moodiness and not feeling well. It is like first trimester all over again. I am glad your sister is out of the hospital! That is great!!!! I don't know about the strep thing. Alot of times it is just a sore throat, make sure you are gargling with warm salt water. I have been having diarrhea for the past 4 days and it sucks. Want a puppy to cheer you up? LOL. I steal a pup now and then, have to do it without the momma looking or she will freak out. It is weird, the smallest one has had his eyes open the past 2 days but the big gigantic ones have their eyes still closed.phillygirl2 -
2.1 hours ago
Hey ladies and bubs. I am juust skiping ahead a few hours early (i change over tonight). Congrats to everyone who has made it this far especially the ones who's docs said they wouldn't. For those of you that already knew my situation - my sister is now out of the hospital and doing much better. YAY!!!! I am still sick only now i have no real voice. I am afraid that i may have strep or something. Does anyone know exactly how that may affect the baby? Also, i have been feeling so mean lately, i know partly b/c i don't feel well and then i think the rest just b/c i want to. cowgirlygirl28 -
3.4 hours ago
cutelilsurprise~ A TENS machine is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator They deliver small electrical pulses to the body via electrodes placed on the skin and is known to help block pain as your mind is focues on the 'electrical shock'cutelilsurprise -
4.9 hours ago
OzzieMum2Be: What is a TENS machine? I haven't heard of it before.rahomsw -
11.5 hours ago
CG - I know we've both struggled with our preemies (who are now healthy kids!). DS was in bad shape for the 1st month for sure and had preemie complications that lasted the 1st 18 months. Now, he only deals with allergies and asthma, which I think I remember your DD does too. I'm glad you are researching and making decisions that will be best for you!!!! Most of all, I'm just SOOOO HAPPY we are at 31 weeks and have not delivered!!!! WHOOHOO for 2 ladies whose docs didn't think we'd make it to 28 weeks!!! cowgirlygirl28 -
11.7 hours ago
Rahomsw1~ Like you said, to each their own.....I have delivered 2 preemies and I feel, for me, no pain relief is best..Both my children came out with tons of problems, breathing to be one of them and pain relief is known to effect that so I would rather not take the risk this time around...rahomsw -
12.3 hours ago
Just jumping ahead a day early... I guess I'm a little excited to get to 31 WEEKS!! I was reading the comments about pain meds and first let me say that I truly bl each person's birth plan is their own and something to be discussed with her doctor and partner. I know my doctor and I sat down on Monday and discussed my plan. CG- I have the utmost respect for you...but I have to disagree with you both on your Apgar score comment and about pain meds when delivering preemies. I know we talked about this on a different site too and I'm not trying to start a debate. There must be different trains of thought out there, bc my docs when I delivered DS four years ago had no problem with me getting an epidural when I was 6-7 cm dilated. It didn't affect him one bit and he was born at 32 weeks. Also, he had great Apgar scores too (9, 9.5). I asked my high risk/MFM doctor about both pain meds and Apgar scores with preemies this time and he has never heard what you said. From what I've been told and read, an Apgar score is an Apgar score. My nurse just mentioned 24 week twins were born last night and had 9's as their Apgar scores both times. As 24 weekers, we all know their battles are just beginning but my nurse reminded me that preemies usually look great at birth bc they are strong and fighters. I'm not trying to start a debate....I just think there are probably different trains of thought out there and that everyone should be aware of both ideas and should probably talk with their doctor's, midwive's, doula's, nurses, etc. if they have other questions. snoozles -
13.7 hours ago
ozzie - i'm a Brissy girl too but now live in the ACT. How did you go with the storms this week? Hope you didn't get flooded out.
With the pain relief same thing happened to me as with bezzi with my first. Had no choice but to go natural and with no pain meds and my little girl was a 'back to back' labour. So I suggest leaving for the hospital when your contractions are about 5 mins apart (depending on how far away from the hospital you live). At least that way you will have a choice if you want some Pethidine or and epi. If you are too far dilated they won't give you anything apart from the gas, which i found didn't do anything. cowgirlygirl28 -
13.8 hours ago
Ozzie~ I plan on going natural with no pain relief. I had epidural with my first and interthecal with my second. They are both administered the same but with an interthecal you can walk..They also call it the walking epidural. I was induced with my second as my waters broke at 28 weeks and contractions stopped. This is my last baby and most likely will come early so no pain relief is best for me! They adjust apgar scores for those delivered with pain relief but with preemies it is much better to have nothing extra...I hired a doula early on so she will be a great help for me....cowgirlygirl28 -
14.1 hours ago
Leah~ My little man is constantly flipping throughout the day...Earlier he was transverse,then breech, then head down. If you have a baby that is stubborn they will keep checking you until you deliver. They can still flip for a few more weeks..jessberr31 -
14.3 hours ago
Epi all the way for me!bezzi44 -
14.4 hours ago
ozzie - I'm and Aussie living in the US so I know what you mean. Used to it all now but I love it when the aussies get on and I get to hear my 'old way' of speaking. I've been gone for 15 years now. As far as pain meds go, I'm really up in the air for some reason. I did natural (not by choice) with #1 and induced and an epi with #2. I think the inducing was what made #2 bad. So I'm still sitting on the fence for this one. If I don't get induced and go natural, it should go really quick. It was 4-5 hours with #1 and that was with a lot of waiting on drs. OzzieMum2Be -
14.6 hours ago
Just wondering if anyone has decided what they will do for pain relief. Has anyone used a TENS machine before.OzzieMum2Be -
14.6 hours ago
Finally down to single figure weeks. YEAH. It is cracking me up listening to all the comments on slang. I am from Brisbane in Australia so it is nice to see some local slang around the place. Liked the comments about Fanny's, we always laugh as what you call Fanny packs we call bum bags as in Australia Fanny pack would mean Vagina Pack so it cracks us up. 62 days to go.......jessberr31 -
15.3 hours ago
Yep! One more in the wind! LOL!Rebekahs-mama -
16.1 hours ago
WOOHOO hey jessberr! One more week down, right? YAY!jessberr31 -
16.4 hours ago
Week 31! Yay! Hello everyone!Baby1onitsway -
17.5 hours ago
i had the fruit punch drink when i did my test and it really wasnt bad at all!!!! they didnt let me eat anything before, or during, i had the one hour one though so it wasnt bad and it was at 8:20 in the morning so it was actually perfect timing thank God because im a heffer i have to have my food!! LOLMaMMaZ2BE -
17.6 hours ago
thanks girls! I got the orange drink now just waiting for the hour to pass so I can go home! I called in sick today just in case I felt bad after the test so I can just go home and sleepleah06303 -
18 hours ago
I have a question for the women whos baby's are breech (Head up by the ribs)!!! Ok, yesterday at my scan the baby had FINALLY switched from transverse breech to head down. Then this morning I posted a comment about the baby moving like crazy...more movement then I have EVER felt with ANY of my pregnancy's. Well now I am feeling hiccups all the way up by my rib cage. I am wondering if all that crazy movement this morning was possibly from him turning breech (head up this time instead of transverse) Does anyone else feel hiccups this high? When he was transverse I felt them in my lower belly. I have never felt them this high with this pregnancy or my other two! Please help if you have any input!!!! Thanks fellow mommas!!!
cutelilsurprise -
18 hours ago
MaMMaZ2BE: Also, one more thing to remember for your glucose test: Make sure you bring some snacks with you. That way you have something to eat immediately following your test. I waited too long afterwards (all of like 10 min after my blood was drawn) and started passing out b/c my sugar level was dropping so quickly.cutelilsurprise -
18 hours ago
MaMMaZ2BE - I drank water before my 1 hour glucose test. Also, they told me I could eat whatever I wanted before hand. She said to just avoid anything too sugary. A lot of the girls on here suggested just eating crackers or toast before going, so that's what I did. Good luck!Baby1onitsway -
18.4 hours ago
its probly the vitamins becaue i drink water all day at work since our fridge is stocked with bottled water and my pee still has a good yellow tint...i bet its the vitamins! brileverett -
18.7 hours ago
Ksorrentino- I drink a ridiculous amount of water and mine is still yellowish as well! Hmm...Julie(boo No5) -
19.2 hours ago
Off to week 32 ladies!! see you all in there!! Getting closer... ;0)laz -
19.4 hours ago
http://www.wilstar.com/caffeine.htm here is a site that has the MG of caffeine per drink I herd that we can have 300mg per day n I have had caffeine with all my kids n so far they where born with a good weight n no withdrawl, I think if you do have while nursing it might cause n issue cause it coudl pass through n if you do have cup Joe do it during the early hours so they are no awake at night LOL. child4 -
19.4 hours ago
ksorrentino, if you are taking a prenatal vitamin it may be tinted still due to the vitamin. Just a thought.shy2481 -
19.5 hours ago
kameeder-I dont know ultrasounds arent 100% so if your belly is measuring right I wouldnt worry to much.cowgirlygirl28 -
19.6 hours ago
mamma~I drank water, however after I ate the candy bar I wasn't allowed to...They told me not to drink too much water before hand....My doc's office does the hershey's chocolate candy bar thing instead of the drinkksorrentino -
19.7 hours ago
Kind of a random question here, but ive been really good about drinking lots of water latley, easily over 120 OZ a day, and my urine is still tinted yellow. Im just wondering if maybe I am missing something else in my diet? If anyone has any ideas please let me know:) ThanksMaMMaZ2BE -
19.9 hours ago
yeah its the one hour test...but can I drink water b4 I go?Rebekahs-mama -
20.1 hours ago
Oh yeah, and I looked up my hospital and found the sibling classes. They're only for kids 3-12, so we won't be attending. Oh well. I'm sure it's not needed anyway. But if anyone else has some great advice like cowgirly when it comes to introducing your kids I'd sure love to hear it!Rebekahs-mama -
20.1 hours ago
Thanks again cowgirly. I already planned on getting Bekah a new toy but didn't think about having her get one for Noah! Too cute! And I've put together a list of things we can do together while I nurse since I know it will take up quite a bit of my time in those first few weeks especially. I'm planning to get a library membership, too. I don't know about you but I get SO sick of reading the same books over and over again! lol! Bekah's such a book lover! I sure hope that sticks!juniper willow -
20.1 hours ago
Mama?Is it a one hour glucose test or the three hour..the three hour shoudl be fasting for atleast 12 hours prior the one hour doesn't matter unless they specify fasting than it is a 7 hour fast..atleast that is what it was for me..so I was told only water of it was fasting but otherwise you are fine to eat or drink.cowgirlygirl28 -
20.2 hours ago
Mamma~ I could not eat anything 2 hours priorMaMMaZ2BE -
20.3 hours ago
I go for my glucose test today! did they tell you not to eat carbs or juice right b4 you go??cowgirlygirl28 -
20.4 hours ago
Rebekahs-mama~ When my son came to the hospital to see his lil' sister he brought her a nice toy, and we gave him one as well from his sister. You might think of doing something like that. We tried to involve him as much as we could ie sharing reading/feeding time, time for just him and us etc....Rebekahs-mama -
20.5 hours ago
cowgirly - thanks for your note. Your son sounds so adorable! lol about the spaghetti o's! I'm really hoping with having them this close together the jeaslousy issue won't come into play. It would be great if Bekah is just like your son!cheyenne -
20.5 hours ago
kameeder- i am in your same position...went in tuesday when i was 30wk5day and was measuring at 34 weeks,thats a bigg difference. the doc really didnt tell me much. i am scheduled for a growth ultrasound 2 weeks from today but i am nervous too.juniper willow -
20.6 hours ago
kameeder..my baby was 4.2 lbs at 30 weeks..I am anxious to see what he weighs at next week 32 weeks...doctor said he is totally healthy ..he plans on taking me out to 4o weeks..he just said he is a big boy..I did get diagnosed with Gestational diabetes that same week which tends to give you big babies..but he(My doctor) said not to wory and size of baby does not indicate time of delivery...I am still totally on target for 4o weeks Jan 20...he is just going to be big..but you may be measuring ahead..did he say...I am still measuring right on target..cowgirlygirl28 -
20.7 hours ago
Rebekahs-mama~ My son was 18 mos old when I had my daughter and he did quite well. I was nervous too, but they adapt real well. He would talk to her in the same tone we did (baby talk). I remember one day we came home and I had to go potty so I left her in her car seat..came out of the bathroom and he was holding her asking her why she wouldn't play with him. He was very protective of her, not jealous. I would hold her and feed her while he sat with me and I read him a book.....Another time he tried feeding her spaghetti o's telling me she was hungry.cowgirlygirl28 -
20.7 hours ago
kameeder~ Weigtht estimates are just that, estimates. They base it on measuring head circumfrence, femur length and belly circumfrence. If you have a baby with longer than normal legs weight measurements will be elevated...They can be as much as a 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb off.....kameeder -
21.1 hours ago
yeah...i mean i don't really understand b/c when they measure the size of my stomach i am 31 wks. but when they measured his thigh bone and head and belly on the ultrasound they said he was measuring at 33 wks. shy2481 -
21.1 hours ago
kameeder-I went on monday when I was 30 weeks and I was measuring 32 but all my doc said was..baby sure is growing. kameeder -
21.3 hours ago
Hey ladies...quick question - I had a level II ultrasound today to check on my baby boy's kidneys. (he had fluid in them) Everything looked good..the doctor said he weighs about 4.5lbs!!!! He said the baby was measuring at 33 weeks and im only 31 weeks. So what do you all think...does this mean I could go into labor early?? OR just have a huge baby. lol =/ !?