30 Weeks Pregnant: Week-by-Week Guide

In This Article

At this stage of your journey, new developments are beginning to unfold. Check out this week-by-week guide to find out what’s in store for your baby and your body in week 30 of pregnancy.

• What trimester is 30 weeks? Third trimester.
• How many weeks of pregnancy are left? 10 weeks.
• 30 weeks pregnant is how many months? You're in your seventh month.

With week 29 of your pregnancy complete, you’re on week 30. Enjoy it, as week 31 is on the horizon! 

One of the most exciting things about pregnancy is how many changes you’ll experience with your little one over the span of just 7 days! Here’s some tips and tricks to keep on top of all that’s happening.

What Happens During the 30th Week of Pregnancy?

• Hands up, baby, hands up: At week 30, your baby’s hands are fully formed with their fingernails now growing.
• Shedding hair: As your little one’s fat deposits develop, the need for the fine fur cover disappears, and so does their soft hair (what’s known as “lanugo”).
• A red blood cell factory: Now that the bone marrow has developed, your baby can produce thousands of red blood cells to transport oxygen around that tiny body. And while baby’s making cells, make sure you’re getting enough iron (about 27 mg a day) to help support red blood cell production. If not, consider talking to your doctor about supplementing (especially if you haven’t been taking prenatal vitamins.
• Eyes wide open: Between naps, your baby has those big eyes open in there.

What Should I Be Feeling at 30 Weeks Pregnant?

• In a word: heavy. Why? Your baby’s now accelerating in growth and weight gain, packing on half a pound a week for the next seven weeks!
• You’re back in the red zone for pregnancy symptoms. That second trimester was your honeymoon period, but it’s back to business now, with all manner of aches, pains, and sickness potentially coming your way as you head into the last 10 weeks.
• You may feel increasingly fatigued, so try to make time for cat naps and resting.

30 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Position

Your baby may still have enough room to move around freely in the womb, but it’s getting a little tight. Within the next few weeks, they should be settling into the cephalic presentation. This is the ideal fetal position for birth and is when the baby is head down and facing your back.

How Big Is Your Baby at 30 Weeks Pregnant?

Week 30 Pregnancy Symptoms

During week 30 of pregnancy, your body is changing quickly. As your baby grows, you will too, and there are certain pregnancy symptoms you may experience at this time.

7 Common Week 30 Pregnancy Symptoms

1. Between bouts of insomnia and a hungry child drawing upon your energy sources, you’re going to be feeling tired at this point. Do your best to practice proper pregnancy sleep habits.
2. Baby’s accelerated growth means extra stretch marks are par for the course. While there’s no cure, rubbing cocoa butter or moisturizer on them can help with any discomfort.
3. You’ll be getting used to being constipated, but keep up the water and fiber.
4. Put your feet up. Those swollen ankles need a respite with the weight you’re carrying.
5. The occasional, unexpected kick may catch you off guard—is that a future soccer star in there?
6. Braxton Hicks contractions will continue. These unpredictable uterine muscle contractions last up to two minutes and are often called false labor.
7. Pregnancy hormones and increased pressure on your GI tract are likely to make heartburn and bloating an ongoing issue until you give birth. Identifying and avoiding triggers and eating smaller meals more often may help.

3 Expert Tips for a Healthy And Safe Pregnancy

Being 30 weeks pregnant is an important time for you and your baby. Here’s some more expert-recommended advice on how to adjust to this new stage and keep you and your baby safe.

1. Walk this way: If you haven’t already, put away the heels for a while and switch to flats for your ongoing comfort, posture, and health. Aim for shoes with study soles or insoles, compared to flip-flops or flimsy shoes. You’ll need that support for when your dogs are barking!
2. Catch your breath: The pressure from your baby against your lungs is probably making you short of breath. If this happens, take a load off and sit until you feel like you have caught your breath. Your baby is repositioning itself in the womb, meaning you might be feeling fluttering. This is known as quickening. It begins anywhere from 17-20 weeks pregnant (but every mom is different!). At this stage, those flutters will be more pronounced. If the shortness of breath becomes severe, contact your doctor.
3. Be prepared: If you're feeling stressed about the upcoming due date, now’s the time to start making sure you have all your ducks in a row. Look into finishing the baby's room and taking stock of what's needed. It's also a good idea to start gathering information on feeding options immediately post-birth to feel prepared as the due date approaches. Also, review and confirm your delivery options for getting to the hospital quickly if your baby decides to appear early. Many women feel that planning ahead can lessen anxiety, which you'll want to avoid for the baby's well-being and your peace of mind.

Week 30 Checklist: How To Plan Your Pregnancy

Knowing what to do week-by-week can help you feel prepared and alleviate stress. Add these new items to your to-do list this week. You’ve got this, mama!

Learn more about your pregnancy, including pregnancy planning and pregnancy nutrition to feel prepared to continue this magical adventure. You’re armed with the facts, what to do, and now you can take time to connect with the little one growing inside you.

 With week 29 in the rearview mirror and week 30 going strong, look to the future and what's coming up in week 31!