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Welcome to week 31 of your pregnancy journey! As you progress through this remarkable time, both you and your baby are reaching new milestones and experiencing exciting changes.

Bobo will be sending you and your partner weekly updates on your pregnancy progress, child development, and Canadian based information up to the age of two. Here's

what you can expect during this stage of your pregnancy.

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Your Baby's Development

At 31 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a coconut. Their body is becoming plumper as they accumulate more fat stores, essential for maintaining body temperature after birth. They have completed the majority of their major development milestones and are now capable of processing information from all five senses.

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Healthcare Considerations: Vaccinations

Immunization with Tdap vaccine should ideally be provided in every pregnancy between 27 and 32 weeks.

• Tdap: The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Whooping cough is a very contagious and illness that poses a serious risk to young babies. This is recommended in every pregnancy to boost maternal antibodies that can then be transferred to the baby and protect the baby from whooping cough before your baby is old enough to receive their own vaccination at 2 months of age.

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Additional Vaccination Recommendations:

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• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: While infants may not receive the flu vaccine at two months, it's important for parents to be aware of the recommendations regarding influenza vaccination. The flu vaccine is typically administered annually, starting at six months of age. Protecting infants from influenza is paramount, as they are at higher risk of severe complications from the flu.

• COVID-19 Vaccines: If you haven't already received it, it's strongly advised to complete a series of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. Being pregnant elevates the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Research indicates that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy.

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Physical and Emotional Changes

As your pregnancy progresses and your body adjusts, you might encounter a range of symptoms. You may still contend with backaches, bouts of clumsiness, Braxton Hicks contractions, and breast leakage. Sleep disturbances, headaches, and occasional forgetfulness may also persist. Moreover, increased urination frequency could occur due to pressure on your bladder from the expanding uterus, while sciatica, nerve pain resulting from pressure on the sciatic nerve, might emerge as well.

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Health and Well-Being

Maintain your physical well-being and stay active by attending a prenatal exercise class such as water aerobics or prenatal Pilates. Embrace these opportunities to engage in gentle yet effective exercises tailored to pregnancy, promoting strength, flexibility, and overall fitness while nurturing your body and preparing for childbirth.

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Sources:

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• Government of Canada. (2019, October 09). Update on Immunization in Pregnancy with Tdap vaccine. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/update-immunization-pregnancy-tdap-vaccine.html

• Mayo Clinic. (2022, June 03). Fetal Development: The 3rd Trimester. Mayo Clinic. (2022, June 03). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20045997

• MedlinePlus. (2023, August 23) Fetal Development. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm

• American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. (2024, January). How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy

• WebMD. (2023, March 22). Third Trimester. https://www.webmd.com/baby/third-trimester-of-pregnancy

• WebMD. (2022, November 11). Your Pregnancy Week by Week: Weeks 31-34. https://www.webmd.com/baby/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-31-34

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Articles have been medically reviewed by an obstetrician gynecologist. This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.