Pregnancy Diary - 31 & 32 Weeks Pregnant

Here are my 31 and 32 weeks pregnant updates. The third trimester is in full swing, and things are starting to feel quite different now.

Updated April 2026 – My 31-32 weeks pregnant diary from 2020. This fortnight brought stronger baby movements, a growth scan referral, and the final countdown to maternity leave. Third trimester was getting very real!

Pregnancy Diary: 31 & 32 weeks pregnant

31 & 32 weeks pregnant
Stretch Marks: The Full Picture
Seeing Friends During COVID Restrictions
Week 32: Growth Scan Referral & Blood Results
Counting Down to Maternity Leave
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
All my pregnancy diary blog posts:

31 weeks pregnant showing third trimester baby bump

31 & 32 weeks pregnant

Right then kids, what’s been going on the past two weeks?

The movements are getting incredibly strong now – sometimes it feels like he’s going to break straight through my belly! It’s brilliant but also quite intense. You can properly see my stomach move and shift when he rolls around or sticks a limb out. My partner finds it hilarious watching my belly do acrobatics while I’m just trying to sit on the sofa.

At 31 weeks, the baby weighs around 3.5 pounds and is approximately 16 inches long. He’s running out of room in there, which explains why the movements feel so powerful. Every kick, roll and hiccup is visible from the outside now.

Stretch Marks: The Full Picture

I can’t remember if I mentioned this before, but I have a couple of stretch marks on my hips. One side is a quite deep purple and the other side is not so bad. I’ve been using belly balm and so far my stomach has gotten away unscathed, but there’s still time for that to change. I have been feeling tightness and my skin has been sore above my belly button. It’s my legs that have suffered the most damage, the stretch marks started on my inner thighs, then I got them on the front of my legs and now they run all the way down from my inner thigh to my knee.

The progression has been interesting to track. They started on my inner thighs around week 22, then appeared on the fronts of my thighs, and now they run from inner thigh right down to my knees. One hip has developed quite deep purple marks, whilst the other side is less noticeable.

I’ve been religious about using belly balm, and so far my stomach has remained mark-free – though there’s still time for that to change. The tightness and soreness above my belly button is real, and my skin feels stretched to its absolute limit. Everyone’s different with stretch marks. Some people get loads regardless of lotions and potions; others get none. It really does come down to genetics and skin type.

Seeing Friends During COVID Restrictions

I saw my friends for the first time since last Christmas. It was a nice day so we sat outside, had a few drinks (non-alcoholic for me!) and had some food and played a few games. It was just the 4 of us and was nice to see them while I am pregnant. Now they are all in lockdown so God knows when I will see them next. It’s been tough not seeing friends and family during all this! When you are pregnant, you’re kind of excited to see people with your new bump and pregnant glow (the glow DOES NOT EXIST, by the way, you are just having a hot flush).

The “pregnancy glow” is absolutely a myth, by the way. What people think is a glow is actually just you having constant hot flushes and your face being red from hormones and increased blood flow. There’s nothing glowing about feeling like a sweaty beetroot most of the time!

One friend bought me about six baby outfits, which was so generous. The wardrobe is looking properly full now. We’ve got drawers of vests and babygrows too, though about half came from my friend who’s had two boys in recent years. Hand-me-downs are a lifesaver for first-time parents.

Week 32: Growth Scan Referral & Blood Results

I had my 32-week midwife appointment. All my blood results came back normal, except iron levels which were on the lower end of normal. The midwife wanted to check again at my next appointment to make sure they weren’t dropping further.

When she measured my belly, it came in at only one week ahead instead of the three weeks it had been measuring previously. The sudden change in growth rate meant I was referred for a scan to check for slow growth – which obviously made me panic a bit. When you’ve been measuring ahead consistently and then suddenly you’re not, it raises concerns about placental function and baby’s wellbeing.

I had the scan the following week and everything was fine. I’ve got a normal level of fluid, the blood flow to the placenta is great and he’s basically the average size for his gestational age, right in the middle. He was doing some yawns during the scan which were cute!

Getting that referral was worrying, but the scan the following week put my mind at ease completely. Seeing him yawn during the scan was adorable – such a tiny, everyday movement that reminded me he’s a proper little person in there. The sonographer was thorough and reassuring, checking all the measurements and blood flow carefully.

It turns out the previous measurement was probably just down to his position during the appointment rather than actual slow growth. Babies can measure differently depending on how they’re lying, which is why scans are more accurate than tape measurements.

Counting Down to Maternity Leave

I’ve been working from home since March with a reduced workload, which has been manageable but still tiring. At this stage of pregnancy, even sitting at a desk for hours feels exhausting. I’m ready to take my mind off work completely and enjoy my last few weeks of being able to be a bit selfish with my time – sleeping in, watching what I want on TV, and not having to think about deadlines and meetings.

Once the baby arrives, life changes completely and permanently. This is my last chance to just… be. No responsibilities beyond looking after myself and getting ready for his arrival.

Final Thoughts

Weeks 31 and 32 brought the reality home that this baby is coming soon. The growth scan referral was stressful, but everything checked out fine in the end. I’m uncomfortable, tired, and ready for maternity leave – but also trying to soak up these last few weeks of just being me before everything changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I be referred for a growth scan at 32 weeks?
A growth scan referral happens when there’s a sudden change in fundal height measurements (belly measurements). If your baby was measuring ahead and then drops back, or vice versa, midwives refer you for an ultrasound to check the baby’s actual size, amniotic fluid levels, and placental blood flow. It’s a precaution to rule out growth restriction or other issues.

Can stretch marks appear suddenly in the third trimester?
Yes! Many women develop stretch marks late in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester when the baby has a final growth spurt. They can appear quite rapidly as skin stretches to accommodate the growing bump. Genetics play the biggest role in whether you’ll get them.

How accurate are tape measure belly measurements?
Fundal height measurements (tape measure from pubic bone to top of bump) can vary by 2cm either way and still be normal. Baby’s position, your body shape, and even how full your bladder is can affect the measurement. That’s why scans are more accurate for checking actual growth.

Is low iron common at 32 weeks pregnant?
Yes, iron levels often drop in the third trimester because your blood volume has increased significantly and your baby is storing iron for after birth. Many pregnant women become mildly anaemic. Your midwife will monitor levels and recommend supplements if needed.