Week 31 of Pregnancy: A Coconut, and a Genuinely Uncomfortable Week
Key takeaways
- By week 31, the baby is about the size and weight of a coconut, and all five senses are considered to be working.
- The baby will start recognising voices from outside the womb around now, which is a good reason to keep talking or reading to the bump.
- Ongoing monitoring, including repeat blood tests, is a normal part of managing a diagnosed condition like ICP through the rest of pregnancy.
- It's normal for symptoms to fluctuate rather than steadily improve once treatment has started — that doesn't mean the treatment isn't working.
- Scratching provides short-term relief but can make skin more uncomfortable and irritated over time.
Week 30 brought the diagnosis. Week 31 was, honestly, one of the harder weeks physically — even with treatment already underway.
What’s actually happening in your body
The baby is now around the size and weight of a coconut, and all five senses are considered to be functioning at this stage. This is also around when the baby starts recognising voices from outside the womb, which is a good reason to keep talking, reading, or playing music to the bump if you’ve been doing that already, according to NHS guidance on week 31 of pregnancy. The baby is also very active now — moving, sucking fingers, and doing the occasional somersault.
What I actually felt
Everything else was fine, but the itching genuinely wasn’t stopping. I ended up scratching my belly and legs, and it caused real discomfort through the week. I remember having had smooth, clear skin on my belly just a few weeks earlier — by this point there were scratches everywhere from trying to get some relief. I mentioned this to my doctors again, and they asked for another round of tests to see how things were progressing.
If you’re in the middle of managing a diagnosed condition and it doesn’t feel like it’s improving in a straight line, that matches my experience too — it took ongoing adjustment rather than one fix that solved everything immediately.
Nutrition focus this week
No changes specific to this week beyond whatever guidance you’re following for gestational diabetes if applicable. General pregnancy nutrition guidance continues to apply — see our foods and drinks to limit or avoid during pregnancy.
What to discuss with your doctor or midwife
If symptoms haven’t improved since your last test or medication adjustment, say so plainly rather than assuming it just needs more time. Ongoing monitoring, including repeat blood tests, is a normal part of managing a condition like ICP, not a sign that something has gone wrong with the treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for itching to get worse even after starting treatment?
It can fluctuate, and a single medication dose isn’t always enough from the start. Repeat testing and dose adjustments are a normal part of managing the condition, not a sign the treatment has failed.
Does scratching make itching worse over time?
It can. Scratching offers short-term relief but often irritates the skin further, which can make the underlying itch feel worse rather than better.
Why would my doctor order another test so soon after the first?
To track how your liver function and symptoms are changing over time, which helps guide whether your current treatment and monitoring plan needs adjusting.
Can the baby really recognise voices by week 31?
Yes, broadly — the baby is considered able to start recognising voices from outside the womb around this stage, which is part of why talking or reading to the bump can genuinely matter.
References
- NHS — Your Pregnancy and Baby Guide, Week 31. nhs.uk
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