At 31 weeks
At 31 weeks your baby is about the size of a kharbooja (muskmelon), around 41.1 cm from head to heel (NHS). They are very active, practising sucking and beginning to recognise voices from outside the womb. You may feel your bump tighten with Braxton Hicks contractions, and tiredness is normal at this stage.
Your Baby at 31 Weeks
Your baby is very active now, moving around, sucking their fingers and turning the odd somersault. Day by day they look plumper and less wrinkled, and the amniotic fluid is increasing because your baby is now able to pee (NHS).
The brain is sending lots of messages to the body, the eyes can open and focus, and your baby can hear sounds outside the uterus; a loud noise may even make them startle (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby).
Your baby will start to recognise voices from outside the womb, so the NHS encourages partners and older children to talk to the bump as well (NHS).
Your Body This Week
You may feel your bump tighten for 20 to 30 seconds and then relax. These are Braxton Hicks, or practice contractions, and they should not hurt. If this is your first baby, your midwife or doctor will probably measure your bump from the top of your pubic bone to the top of the bump and gently feel your belly to work out which way up the baby is lying (NHS).
Feeling tired and low on energy is normal now, and many women feel more emotional in the third trimester because of hormones, poor sleep or the deep feelings that becoming a parent can stir up. Your breasts may leak more as the birth approaches, and breast pads can help (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby).
When to call your midwife or doctor: Contact your midwife or doctor if Braxton Hicks contractions become painful or start coming at regular intervals, as this could be a sign of early labour (NHS). If you feel very emotional or stressed, speak to them too: anxiety and depression are common in pregnancy, and it is important to seek help.
Garbh Sanskar This Week
A small daily practice for this stage, from Mamta’s 1:1 sessions. It is tradition and gentle self-care, not medical advice, so keep every check-up and follow your doctor or midwife first.
- Mantra: Saha navavatu is a Shanti mantra from the Taittiriya Upanishad, originally spoken between teacher and student, asking that 'we both' be protected and nourished together and live without ill will. Its 'we two' can also be a tender thought for you and your baby; chant it softly once or twice, and see the Garbh Sanskar mantras guide for the full text.
- Music: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggests talking to your baby or playing some of your favourite music to build your connection, so share a calm song or bhajan you love and invite your partner or older children to sing along. Keep the volume gentle and enjoy it together.
- Gentle movement: Mamta teaches a slow cat-and-cow movement on hands and knees for this stage, gently rounding and then softening the back in time with an easy, unbroken breath. Try a few rounds only with your doctor's or midwife's clearance, and stop if anything feels uncomfortable.
- Food: Traditionally, Charaka's eighth month (roughly weeks 31 to 35) brings kshira yavagu, a rice gruel cooked in milk with a little ghee, which is easy to eat when your stomach feels squeezed. Have it alongside the iron, calcium and folic acid your doctor recommends.
- Garbh samvad (a line to say to your baby): Can you hear all our voices, little one? Your family is talking to you.
Questions About Week 31
Are Braxton Hicks contractions normal at 31 weeks?
Yes. The NHS describes them as practice contractions in which your bump tightens for 20 to 30 seconds and then relaxes, and says they are normal and harmless. If they become painful or regular, contact your midwife or doctor, because it could be a sign of early labour.
Can my baby recognise voices at 31 weeks?
The NHS says your baby will start to recognise voices outside the womb around now and suggests partners and other children talk to the bump. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby adds that your baby can hear sounds outside the uterus and may startle at a loud noise.
What if my baby is not head down at 31 weeks?
There is still time for your baby to get into position, and the NHS notes that some babies do not move down into the pelvis until labour starts. If your baby stays head up in the breech position, it could affect the type of birth you are able to have, and your midwife or doctor will talk you through the risks and benefits of each option.
Practise With Mamta, Wherever You Are
Mamta guides expecting mothers through private 1:1 Garbh Sanskar sessions online, scheduled in your own time zone, from the first trimester to the last week. Start with a free conversation on WhatsApp or read how sessions work.
Sources
Mamta is not a doctor. Medical points on this page come from the sources below, checked in October 2026. Sizes are approximate and babies vary; your scan report is what matters.