30 Weeks Pregnant

*Counting from the first day of your last menstrual period

Your Baby at 30 Weeks

Size: 15.71 inches (39.9 cm) - crown to heel
Weight: 2.91 pounds (1319 grams)

Right now, your baby is actively practicing many of its bodily functions and movements that will be necessary for life outside the womb. As baby grows larger, the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby will decrease and those bounding kicks you have felt for the last few months will turn into stronger pushes and prods as your baby's home makes for tight quarters. With less room to move, you will feel pressure, rolling, and stretching that can sometimes be uncomfortable, but every movement means your baby is growing stronger.

Your baby's brain is developing rapidly as it controls those important day-to-day activities. Able to fully open his or her eyes, your baby's vision continues to develop and will be about 20/400 at birth - making it easy to see you and your partner from about a foot away - but little else.

Right now your baby is near the size of a regular head of cabbage, but each day will mean the addition of extra weight that will bring your baby closer to a healthy size for birth.

Mom at 30 Weeks Pregnant

These last several weeks may leave you feeling fatigued, and wishing you could take a nap. Uncomfortable nights make it even more difficult to sleep deeply and all that tossing and turning can leave you pretty worn out during the day. If necessary, you may have to try sleeping with several pillows, or in extreme situations, sitting up in the recliner. If possible, try to squeeze in a short nap during the day if you can and just pace yourself on the days you are feeling more tired.

A growing belly means a change in your center of gravity. This shift could increase your chances of falls, so make sure to keep both feet planted firmly on the ground. If you need assistance lifting, climbing, or carrying things let someone else help you so that you don't injure yourself or your baby. For some women, the shifting center of gravity changes the structure of the feet causing them to widen, which is why you may not be dreaming when your shoe size goes up a notch.

As pregnancy hormones begin to loosen the supporting structures of your pelvic bones, you will begin to develop that signature pregnancy waddle. If you have not already started swaying from side to side and holding your lower back, those days may be close ahead.

Common Symptoms:
As baby's size and your uterus press against your lungs, you will notice that you seem to run out of breath more easily than ever before. While it may seem uncomfortable now, there will be a bit of relief when baby descends into the lower portion of the pelvis a few weeks before birth, which will allow your lungs to expand more fully.

Doctor's appointments should still be twice monthly and your physician will continue to monitor your vital signs and urine output for any signs of complications. Unless your physician suspects an issue, there probably will not be any more ultrasounds unless your baby is in a breech or transverse presentation. If this is the case, your physician may check regularly for signs that your baby is turning to a head down position for birth. Still feet down? Don't worry - there are a few weeks left to make that important flip.

As usual, make sure to report any signs or symptoms of preterm labor, or blood pressure complications to your doctor as soon as possible. Leaking fluid, abdominal pain, bleeding, headaches, nosebleeds, and chest pain should all be reported.

Weight Gain:
Above all, your weight should be steadily climbing. Not by several pounds, but a bit less - totally only a pound or two per week at the most. A sudden jump in your weight should be reported to your doctor - sometimes signaling fluid retention that might affect your blood pressure.

Tips/Advice:
Try to make a list of everything that has to be done. While your instinct to dive into nursery décor may be starting, try to rein it in as you wait on those baby showers - so do your best to plan what things you can. If there are large items such as cribs, baby swings or other furniture that you intend to purchase on your own, this may be a good time to get those items out of the way.

Videos - 30 Weeks Pregnant

** Note: Every baby develops at a different rate. The numbers provided are averages based on a "typical" pregnancy. Your baby's size and weight may vary significantly. Your healthcare provider is the best person to interpret information on your baby's size, weight, health and development during your ultrasounds and pregnancy.

Comment from 2Beemee » Posted Jan. 18, 2012 6:38am 30 weeks! The new symptom is leaking of clear watery fluid from my boobs.. I hope this means al have PLENTY of breast milk for my baby once he is born!!! Am planning to breastfeed EXCLUSIVELY for 3 months and slowly introduce bottled (breast milk still),for the fourth month.. Coz am go back to work when he is 5 months.. I PRAY I manage to breast feed my little one!