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Third trimester

31 Weeks Pregnant

Tired and excited

This week your baby is around the size of a coconut.

How your baby is developing

  • Your baby keeps putting on size toward birth.
  • Growth continues steadily this week.

What may be happening in your body

  • Braxton Hicks tightenings — your bump briefly going hard and firm — can start to feel more noticeable now.
  • Some babies are head down by now — you may even have felt your baby move into place and seen your bump shift downwards. Others don't engage until much later, including when labour starts.
  • An ache low in your back can build as pregnancy softens your ligaments and shifts how you stand.

How you may be feeling

  • Tiredness can weigh on your mood, so patience with yourself may be harder to find on some days.
  • Eagerness to meet your baby and nerves about the birth can rise at the same time.
  • Some people feel pulled to organise and prepare, while others just want to rest — both are common.

Worth remembering

Braxton Hicks tightenings should not hurt — if they become painful or start coming at regular intervals, contact your midwife or doctor.

A closer look

What practice tightenings are

Braxton Hicks are your bump tightening up for around 20 to 30 seconds and then relaxing again — often called practice contractions. They should not hurt, they come and go without settling into a regular pattern, and they don't build up the way labour contractions do. Noticing them around now is common.

Why your lower back aches

The ligaments around your pelvis and lower back soften during pregnancy, and the extra weight out in front changes your posture, so your lower back takes more of the strain. Flat, supportive shoes, resting when you can, a warm bath, and good back support when you sit help many people. It's one of the more common aches at this stage.

Something you can do this week

Pacing yourself and accepting help can make a real difference.

What comes next

Your baby often settles toward a head-down position over the coming weeks.

Professional support

Services ParentSide defines for this stage. Each page explains what the service covers and which professionals are approved to provide it.

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Sources and updates

Sources

Last reviewed:
This content is based on estimated averages and general information; it does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned about yourself or your baby, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

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