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Sign InWeek 31 — Brain Boost
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
bunch of asparagus
Your baby is about 41cm and 1.5kg — the size of a bunch of asparagus. Kicks are becoming stronger and sometimes uncomfortable — a foot in the ribs is a rite of passage. The brain is processing more information than ever, and all five senses are now functional. The skin is becoming smoother as fat fills in. Your baby can now perceive differences between light and dark even through the uterine wall.
Shortness of breath is very common around now as your uterus pushes up against the diaphragm, leaving less room for your lungs to expand. It can feel alarming but is a normal mechanical effect of pregnancy. It usually eases when the baby drops lower into the pelvis in the final weeks. Good posture and sleeping slightly propped up helps — sitting upright gives your lungs more room.
Your baby's five senses are all active now — but they developed in a different order than we use them after birth. Touch was first, then taste and smell, then hearing, and now sight — the last to activate. Sight is also the least developed of the five at birth — newborns can only see about 20–30cm clearly, which is roughly the distance from your breast to your face when feeding.
Check your iron levels with your provider if you haven't recently. Iron deficiency anaemia is extremely common in the third trimester. Symptoms — fatigue, breathlessness, pallor — can easily be confused with normal late pregnancy tiredness. If your levels are low, a supplement prescribed by your provider can make a significant difference to your energy going into labour.
Iron-rich meals are critical this trimester. Red meat, dark leafy greens, lentils, and fortified cereals all help. Avoid tea or coffee within an hour of iron-rich meals as they inhibit absorption.
If shortness of breath is limiting your partner's ability to do things they normally do, step in without being asked. It's temporary — but it's real.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer