30 Weeks Pregnant

The average size baby at 30 weeks pregnant is 15.7 inches from head to toe. The average weight of the baby is 2.9 pounds. This will differ between pregnancies and babies since each one is different. Most of this will depend on the amount of fat that is being added onto your baby’s structure.

Your Baby’s Development at 30 Weeks Pregnant

There are chances that you will see a body part move across your belly. The baby will be close enough to your stomach so show off different limbs every now and then and it can make a fun game for you and your partner. Of course, the kicks, jabs and movements can become painful and uncomfortable at this stage due to the lower amount of space available. If you manage to get a photo of the movements, they are great memories. You will also be able to talk to your midwife about the different lumps that you are feeling in your stomach.

The brain continues to develop at 30 weeks pregnant. The neurons will be developing still and will start to separate into six different layers. These will each have a function to do, such as helping with vision, the memory, and thoughts.

The good news is that if your baby is born at pregnancy week 30, there is a 96 percent chance that it will survive. This is with medical care so you will need to make sure that you get to a hospital if you find that you do go into premature labor. This means that you should be aware of all the common signs that labor brings.

Your baby will develop a sleep cycle during this stage, which will not usually be the same as yours. It is a good idea to document when your baby moves and when it is still. If you find that there is very little movement, you should talk to your midwife immediately. If you are having twins or multiple babies, you will usually find that none of the sleeping patterns coincide with each other. In fact, with most twins, when one is asleep, the other is awake.

Changes in You at Pregnancy Week 30

Your uterus will be sitting 4 inches higher than your belly button at 30 weeks pregnant and there is less than 10 weeks to go. You will usually find that your uterus reaches around 6 inches, so you are almost there. The large bump is often uncomfortable and makes sleeping difficult, leading to the likelihood of being very tired.

It is likely that you will struggle with Braxton hicks at 30 weeks pregnant. This is normal and just your body’s way of preparing you for labour. However, make sure you time all contractions that you feel. False labour pains will not get stronger or regular. If they do, contact your midwife for advise.

Symptoms at 30 Weeks Pregnant

Tiredness is a common symptom and not just because of the lack of comfort. Your baby will be taking a lot out of you during this stage and your body needs about 300 more calories to keep energy levels up. Rest when you can and talk to your employer about reducing your workload, especially if you are in a highly active job.

Mood swings are likely at this point. The tiredness, being uncomfortable and the thought of only 10 weeks to go will mix together and possibly leave you feeling worried. Talk to your partner, friends and family members about your feeling; chances are someone will know of a way to help you naturally.

The swelling of the ankles is extremely common – and one of the most annoying parts of the third trimester. Your feet will likely feel like footballs! However, you need to keep an eye on the swelling as it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia. This is especially if it is in your hands and face too. Your midwife will check the swelling with each visit, along with your protein levels in your urine and blood pressure, to make sure that pre-eclampsia is not an issue.

Being prepared for the delivery of your baby at 30 weeks pregnant is a sensible thing to do. If you are having a home birth, make sure that everything has been ordered and has arrived. If you are having a hospital birth, make sure that your maternity bag is packed and that you have talked about the pain relief that you may want. You will also need to start thinking about your options to get to the hospital at this time.