Week Thirty-One

Return to Fetal Development Overview

  • The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
  • Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
  • Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.
  • Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)
  • His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!
  • She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!
  • Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

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