You are 31 weeks and 6 days

If your third trimester falls in summer, staying cool and comfortable can be a real challenge.

57 days until your due date

Hot weather plus your baby makes things sweltering! Stay hydrated with lots of cool water, and carry a spray bottle of water (chilled overnight in the fridge) to spritz yourself when you're too hot.

Choose sleeveless clothes in natural fabrics such as linen and cotton, which let air circulate. If you want to cover your arms, wear short-sleeved jackets or cotton cardigans. Wear a sun hat and sunglasses, especially in direct sun for any length of time.

Choose flip-flops or low-heeled sandals to let your feet breathe, which also helps if your feet are swollen.

Focus on

Your baby: Listening to your baby's heartbeat

Your baby's heart beats from the very earliest stages, and nothing is more uplifting than hearing it. Your doctor can use a stethoscope or Doppler monitor (which uses ultrasound) to listen. A baby's heart beats 120–160 times a minute, many more than yours, which is normally under 100. Listening checks it's in the normal range and reassures you all is well. If the rhythm is unusual or it speeds up or slows unexpectedly, your doctor can arrange tests. Some women find hearing the heartbeat helps them bond before birth.

The lowdown

First hours and days

To help you prepare for after the birth, here are some things you might like to know:

You may shake all over just after giving birth, and don't worry if you vomit; it's quite normal.
Newborns don't always master breastfeeding straight away; like you, they need practice.
Afterpains, the cramping of your uterus when your baby feeds, can hurt almost as much as contractions.
The first time you urinate and open your bowels after the birth can be uncomfortable.
You may feel very vulnerable, and in need of your own mom, in the first few days.
Lochia (bleeding after birth) can be a challenge at first, even with larger pads.
Bonding with a newborn doesn't always happen straight away for every mother, but it's worth the wait.

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.

Your baby: Listening to your baby's heartbeat

First hours and days

Appointments and key dates around now