You are now 30 weeks pregnant, which is the beginning of week 31. Your baby has grown to be about 42 cm long from head to toe (16.5 inches) and approximately 1,500 grams (1.5 kg) in weight (3lb 5oz).
Your baby's brain is increasing in size and complexity and the pupils of their eyes can now respond to light, allowing your baby to focus more readily and see dim shapes. Your baby now has definite sleep and wake patterns, although they may sleep up to 95% of the time and have noticeable rapid eye movements (REM), which indicates they may be dreaming! Many women notice their baby tends to be more active when they are resting, perhaps because when you move your body naturally rocks your baby to sleep.
Common symptoms to look out for:
Emotional reactions
Most pregnant women feel very excited as their pregnancy draws to a close, especially if motherhood has been a long-term goal that is finally being fulfilled. Making preparations for the birth, talking with other mothers and holding other people's babies can heighten this anticipation. Some women even buy a puppy or kitten to help disperse their motherly feelings! The excitement and joy of meeting your baby as their birthday approaches can bring a whole new purpose to being alive.
Other considerations
Nappies - cloth or disposables
You may be thinking about the type of nappy you would prefer to use and are perhaps purchasing some in readiness for when your baby arrives. Some people have set ideas about using either cloth or disposables, others remain flexible until their baby starts to use them. Many parents combine both for various reasons.
Birth preparations
Prelabour
Is this labour?
Many women experience some form of prelabour in the hours or days prior to starting the true 1st stage of their labour. A common saying is...If you have to ask "Is this it?" - then it's not! However, each individual woman's body differs and does not always behave in a textbook manner. Even the most experienced caregivers can get it wrong!
Emotional reactions
Prelabour can bring with it many emotional reactions and feelings. These may be different for the woman and her partner (or support person).
Support strategies
There are many support strategies women can use to support themselves and other strategies that partners/support people can use to help support the woman during her prelabour.
What to expect from your caregiver
While it is not generally advisable to go to the hospital or the birth centre during prelabour (however check-ups may be required), we realise that some women start contacting their caregiver during prelabour and may go to their birthplace during this time.
Your baby's brain is increasing in size and complexity and the pupils of their eyes can now respond to light, allowing your baby to focus more readily and see dim shapes. Your baby now has definite sleep and wake patterns, although they may sleep up to 95% of the time and have noticeable rapid eye movements (REM), which indicates they may be dreaming! Many women notice their baby tends to be more active when they are resting, perhaps because when you move your body naturally rocks your baby to sleep.
Did you know? Scientists have recorded the brain waves of unborn babies. At 7 weeks they are sporadic, but become noticeably more consistent by 10 weeks. Unborn babies have one continuous distinct brain wave pattern by 22 weeks and 2 distinct patterns (similar to adult brainwaves) by 30 weeks.
What is my body doing at 30 weeks pregnant?
It’s not the kind of thing you want to be overheard talking about on the bus to work, but during pregnancy the amount of discharge produced can increase. It should still look and smell the same as before. If it changes and becomes thick, smelly, profuse or changes colour, see your doctor to check if you have thrush or an infection. It’s important you get this checked out as some infections can increase the risk of premature labour.
You may feel itchy down there too. Luckily, thrush can be treated with over-the-counter medicines – usually a cream or pessary. However, it’s important that you tell your pharmacist that you’re pregnant before asking for it.
Prevention methods? Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid strong soaps or feminine washes as they disrupt the natural pH and growth of health bacteria in the vagina.
There might be some more unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, too, especially the ones you thought you’d left behind in early pregnancy, such as needing to pee constantly, tender breasts and heartburn.
What is my body doing at 30 weeks pregnant?
It’s not the kind of thing you want to be overheard talking about on the bus to work, but during pregnancy the amount of discharge produced can increase. It should still look and smell the same as before. If it changes and becomes thick, smelly, profuse or changes colour, see your doctor to check if you have thrush or an infection. It’s important you get this checked out as some infections can increase the risk of premature labour.
You may feel itchy down there too. Luckily, thrush can be treated with over-the-counter medicines – usually a cream or pessary. However, it’s important that you tell your pharmacist that you’re pregnant before asking for it.
Prevention methods? Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid strong soaps or feminine washes as they disrupt the natural pH and growth of health bacteria in the vagina.
There might be some more unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, too, especially the ones you thought you’d left behind in early pregnancy, such as needing to pee constantly, tender breasts and heartburn.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Heartburn: You need your pelvic muscles to relax so that you can give birth to your beautiful baby, but unfortunately, the same hormones that relax those muscles also relax the muscles that separate your stomach and oesophagus. This is why you experience heartburn, as the food and digestive juices from your tummy head upwards into your cheat and throat. Avoid agitating foods like spicy, fried or fatty dishes, try to eat smaller meals, and don’t eat while lying down. This won’t last forever - there are only about ten weeks to go until you pop, and the symptoms will disappear once you give birth.
- Feeling clumsy: We hope you’ve put away the high heels and invested in a pair of sensible flats, as you may be feeling a little clumsy these days. Not only are you heavier, but your centre of gravity will also shift thanks to the concentration of weight in your belly. And if that wasn’t enough to throw you off balance, your ligaments are also more relaxed thanks to pregnancy hormones, meaning your joints are looser, and you might lose balance more than usual.
- Feeling blue: A tenth of pregnant women battle depression in pregnancy, and while it’s normal to worry about labour or becoming a parent, if you feel down a lot of the time, or feel agitated, anxious, nervous or irritable, talk to your doctor before those blue feelings become all-consuming.
- Tiredness: That energy you may have enjoyed during your second trimester has sadly departed by now, and your growing baby and changing body may be leaving you exhausted. Rope in friends, family and your partner for assistance with chores that leave you fatigued - it’s good to start practising asking for help now, as you’ll need plenty more when the baby arrives!
Physical changes
Swelling
About 65% of healthy pregnant women develop fluid retention or swelling (called oedema), even though their blood pressure is normal. This can happen in the legs, feet and hands and is generally more noticeable at the end of the day, although it may be worse on hot days, after a long trip or if you are on your feet for long periods of time.
NOTE: If you notice sudden swelling, you should have your blood pressure checked by your caregiver or local doctor to make sure it is not related to high blood pressure.
High blood pressure
Your caregiver normally checks your blood pressure at each pregnancy visit to make sure it is not abnormally high (a condition called pre-eclampsia). Be aware that 10% of pregnant women have at least one 'above normal' blood pressure reading at some point during their pregnancy. This is quite common. A one-off high reading does not indicate a health problem.
Swelling
About 65% of healthy pregnant women develop fluid retention or swelling (called oedema), even though their blood pressure is normal. This can happen in the legs, feet and hands and is generally more noticeable at the end of the day, although it may be worse on hot days, after a long trip or if you are on your feet for long periods of time.
NOTE: If you notice sudden swelling, you should have your blood pressure checked by your caregiver or local doctor to make sure it is not related to high blood pressure.
High blood pressure
Your caregiver normally checks your blood pressure at each pregnancy visit to make sure it is not abnormally high (a condition called pre-eclampsia). Be aware that 10% of pregnant women have at least one 'above normal' blood pressure reading at some point during their pregnancy. This is quite common. A one-off high reading does not indicate a health problem.
Emotional reactions
Most pregnant women feel very excited as their pregnancy draws to a close, especially if motherhood has been a long-term goal that is finally being fulfilled. Making preparations for the birth, talking with other mothers and holding other people's babies can heighten this anticipation. Some women even buy a puppy or kitten to help disperse their motherly feelings! The excitement and joy of meeting your baby as their birthday approaches can bring a whole new purpose to being alive.
Other considerations
Nappies - cloth or disposables
You may be thinking about the type of nappy you would prefer to use and are perhaps purchasing some in readiness for when your baby arrives. Some people have set ideas about using either cloth or disposables, others remain flexible until their baby starts to use them. Many parents combine both for various reasons.
Birth preparations
What to pack for hospital
As your baby's due date approaches you may begin to think about what to take to hospital or the birth centre for your stay. Gathering supplies can be very exciting and make your baby's birth feel closer!
Homebirth preparations
If planning a homebirth you will need to organise your environment and make sure you have everything you need.
As your baby's due date approaches you may begin to think about what to take to hospital or the birth centre for your stay. Gathering supplies can be very exciting and make your baby's birth feel closer!
Homebirth preparations
If planning a homebirth you will need to organise your environment and make sure you have everything you need.
Prelabour
Is this labour?
Many women experience some form of prelabour in the hours or days prior to starting the true 1st stage of their labour. A common saying is...If you have to ask "Is this it?" - then it's not! However, each individual woman's body differs and does not always behave in a textbook manner. Even the most experienced caregivers can get it wrong!
Emotional reactions
Prelabour can bring with it many emotional reactions and feelings. These may be different for the woman and her partner (or support person).
Support strategies
There are many support strategies women can use to support themselves and other strategies that partners/support people can use to help support the woman during her prelabour.
What to expect from your caregiver
While it is not generally advisable to go to the hospital or the birth centre during prelabour (however check-ups may be required), we realise that some women start contacting their caregiver during prelabour and may go to their birthplace during this time.
What to do this week:
Having weird dreams? No need to freak out – it’s completely normal. Nobody’s totally sure what causes them but they could be related to your hormones. But these dreams are simply a way of working through any thoughts and anxieties about your baby’s approaching birth and motherhood. Talking about it could also help you work through any issues that you have, plus you may discover your partner is having strange dreams, too. Your baby’s sleep patterns also show signs of rapid eye movement, the dreaming stage of sleep, so she may be having weird dreams too!
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