At week 31 all five senses are working, and your baby is turning their head from side to side.
Your baby this week
- Senses
- Your baby can hear, taste, smell, see light and feel touch.
- Movement
- They can turn their head from side to side.
- Weight
- Most growth now is weight rather than length.
What you might notice
- Leaking colostrum, the early milk, for some. Breast pads help. It's also fine if this doesn't happen.
- More Braxton Hicks. How to tell them from contractions.
- Shortness of breath and needing to stop on stairs.
- Pelvic pain for some. If it's affecting walking, ask about physiotherapy.
Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit today if
- Your face, hands or feet swell suddenly, or you have a bad headache or blurred vision
- You have bleeding, fluid leaking, or regular tightenings or period-like cramps
- Your baby's movements have slowed down or changed
- You have strong itching, especially on your hands and feet
Any time of day or night. You will never be a nuisance for calling.
Coming up
Checkups about every two weeks.
Pack your bag.
Questions to bring to your next appointment
- Should I see a physiotherapist about pelvic pain?
- What feeding support is available after birth?
- What should I do if I think my waters have broken?
For your partner
Look at newborn feeding gear together, and find out what feeding support is available locally.
NUGA follows you week by week
Enter your due date once and NUGA knows you're at week 31. The day before each appointment, it gathers what you've noted and the questions to bring.
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This page draws on public guidance from:
General information, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife or doctor knows yours. Last updated October 2026.