Week Thirty Pregnancy

You Are

At your 30th week, you are approaching the end of your third trimester. As your baby grows, your body changes the energy it uses, and you feel more tired, have back pain, and breathe harder. The enlargement of your uterus may press your tissues, such as your lungs and bladder, which can lead to increased breathing problems and bathroom visits. You may also feel more intense Braxton Hicks contractions, which are very important milestones as your body prepares itself for delivery.

Discomfort may make it harder to sleep, so additional pillows where needed may help. It helps your energy stay high throughout the day to make sure that you drink enough fluids and eat foods full of nutrients. If your feet swell, give them a rest, elevate them, and try to stand less during the day. Keep going to all your prenatal visits to ensure that your baby is developing and remaining healthy.

Your Baby

At the 30th week, your baby has developed to the size of a large cabbage, weighing about 3 pounds and measuring almost 16 inches in length. This is also the time when your baby’s brain grows and they start being able to regulate their own temperature. As fat underneath grows, lanugo, the soft hair on their body, begins to recede to ensure that your baby remains warm.

Your baby’s eyes can blink and respond to light around them. The more crowded the womb gets, the stronger your baby’s movements might feel. You may feel your baby having rhythmic spasms – these are typically hiccups. Your baby’s lungs are developing, and they’re beginning to exercise the movements that will be required in breathing after birth.