31 Weeks

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. 

He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. 

My last doctors appointment was last Friday and everything was fine. The doctor told me that I was measuring perfectly this time. Last time I went in, I was told that I was measuring two weeks early. I guess the baby just had a big growth spurt last time or I was just measured wrong.

I have been getting Braxton Hicks Contractions for the last week. The doctor told me to just take it easy and make sure that I drink plenty of water.

My one hour glucose screening test turned out normal so I was glad that I didn't have to worry about doing the three hour test. I only have one more blood test that I need to do and then I don't think there are any more tests that need to be done. Yesterday I had my rhogam shot and I will need another one after the baby is born. The reason I had to get this shot is because I am Rh-negative. I wrote below what it means to be Rh-negative.

When an Rh-negative woman carries an Rh-positive baby, small numbers of the baby’s red blood cells may get into the mother’s bloodstream. This can happen during her pregnancy as well as at delivery. The mother’s immune system sees the baby’s Rh-positive red blood cells as foreign and goes to work to produce antibodies against them. The antibodies formed to protect you against Rh-positive red blood cells can pass to the baby you are carrying. They attack and destroy the baby’s Rh-positive red blood cells, causing anemia (low red blood cell count), jaundice, and in severe cases, heart failure.