3rd Trimester (weeks 27-40) Week 30

About You

Week 30 is the fourth week of the 3rd trimester. Your baby is putting on weight quickly, and you are starting to “fill out” as far as the shape of your tummy is concerned, and many women put on up to 450 grams per week – but don’t stress out about this weight gain as it is quite normal. Remember to eat well, filling up on nutrients not empty calories. Also keep in mind that you alone are responsible for excess weight gain in pregnancy, it isn’t healthy for either you or baby, and is hard to lose after giving birth. Try to get lots of rest in this period, because after you give birth, rest will be a thing of the past! Also, get to know your Braxton Hicks contractions. By paying attention to how they feel and how often they happen. This may help you distinguish them from the real signs of labour.

As you and baby continue to grow, don't be alarmed if you feel breathless (like as if you can't get enough air) because this is your uterus pressing against your diaphragm. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. At about 34 weeks (or just before delivery, if this is your second or third pregnancy), your baby's head will move down into your pelvis as the baby gets into the right position for birth. That will make breathing and eating a lot easier. Also, getting comfortable to sleep may be proving more difficult due to your expanding tummy, and staying asleep may not be possible, as frequent trips to the toilet at night become the norm, with baby putting pressure on your bladder.

About Baby


This week your baby continues to put on weight, weighs around 1.32 kilograms and measures about 39.9cm from head to heel. The lungs and digestive tract are nearly mature and baby is opening and shutting its eyes and can probably see what's going on in utero, distinguish light from dark and even track a light source (if you shine a light on your stomach, your baby may move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow). Some researchers think baring your stomach to light stimulates visual development. But don't expect 20/20 vision when your baby is born, as newborns can see a distance of only about 20 to 30 centimetres – in fact children with normal vision don't reach 20/20 vision until they are aged between 7- 9. Also your baby now has eyebrows and eyelashes. Around a litre of amniotic fluid now surrounds your baby but that volume decreases as it gets bigger and has less room in your uterus.

This week’s activities for the pregnancy to-do list


Buy a car seat, stroller, and any other important baby gear that you didn't receive at your shower. When buying these big ticket items, go for a convertible seat with a high star rating, and choose a big all-terrain stroller that can accommodate your baby when sleeping up until the age of 3 or 4

Know the signs of premature labour versus Braxton Hicks contractions

Try exercises designed to help prepare your body for D-day

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.



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