Pregnancy week by week: 30 week

Here's what's happening during Week 30 of your pregnancy

Your Growing Baby: 

Your baby's length is about 16 inches—about as long as a laptop computer—and she measures almost 11 inches from crown to rump. She weighs approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds.

From now until delivery, every baby will gain weight at a more individual rate. Your baby has doubled in height over the past six weeks, and from now until delivery, she'll gain only a few more inches in length. Don't worry if she's in a strange position (what your care provider might call a "transverse lie"). There's still plenty of time for her to get settled into the head-down (cephalic) position for birth.

She's floating in about 1 1/2 pints of amniotic fluid and has some room to move. Your baby's most important organ, her brain, continues to develop at a rapid pace. Her eyes are able to track light, and some researchers have theorized that exposing your belly to light may stimulate development. Try moving the beam of a flashlight slowly over your belly in a dim room, and see if she reacts.

Your Growing Belly: 

You might find yourself increasingly breathless as your growing uterus crowds your diaphragm. It should ease a bit when the baby drops lower in your pelvis later in pregnancy. Your belly is about the size of a watermelon. Tying your shoes is a challenge, and you may already have adopted the pregnant "waddle."

To keep your sex life alive, continue having intercourse unless your doctor says otherwise. Most couples' sex life tapers off temporarily, but this may not be so much a problem of desire as one of engineering. The solution: be creative with positions and techniques.

What's happening with you:

Are you feeling particularly heavy this week? It's no surprise that you're moving a little more slowly and starting to struggle against gravity, since your uterus has grown considerably (the top, or fundus, has made its way under your ribcage) and your legs are swelling with extra body fluids. Add to that the heartburn and indigestion that comes with a compressed stomach and surging hormones and you have a recipe for an uncomfortable day. You'll need to be more conscious of your habits and more careful in your activities these days to minimize your discomfort and keep up your energy. Be sure to take breaks from long periods of standing (breaks from long periods of sitting, too) and eat less food more frequently until your baby "drops" down into your pelvis in the last weeks of pregnancy, freeing up your stomach for a full meal.

If you haven't been keeping track of your baby's kicks, now is the time to make up a kick-count sheet to record your little one's movements. After week 20, counting kicks is the best way for you to monitor your baby's well-being; when you've passed your due date, this becomes a vital measure for baby's safety. A 30 week old fetus is typically fairly active, so he'll keep you busy tallying up those kicks -- by now, he should be kicking at least 10 times every hour.

What's happening with your baby:

Your baby is losing the downy hair all over her body and gaining some thicker hair on her head. In fact, all her body parts are growing quickly, from her toenails to her brain. Your baby is around 3 pounds and almost 11 inches from crown to rump (16 inches from crown to heel), and she will be able to move her eyes and eyelids at pregnancy week 30. Big changes are happening in her bones, too: the skeleton is getting harder and stronger, plus the bone marrow has begun to produce red blood cells (up until this point, her liver was taking care of that task).

Are you feeling strong pressure in your ribs or your pelvic floor these days? If so, your baby may have already assumed the head-down position in your uterus to prepare for her upcoming delivery. Little feet tend to get wedged between ribs, and the head can press on the muscles at the base of your pelvis to make you sore and uncomfortable. You can try modifying your position to encourage your baby to change her position, just make sure you don't lie flat on your back and cut off the blood flow through your vena cava.

Things to do this week:

Draft a birth plan to include some of your preferences for the big day. This can be as detailed or as general as you like, but try not to tie yourself down to every small point in the plan because nobody can predict what their labor and delivery experience will be like. Oh sure, the law of averages states that you'll probably be in active labor for a certain amount of time, and it's fair to expect one thing to follow another in a logical order, but this is one event in life that's shockingly unpredictable. A basic plan will help you communicate your requests when labor pain takes all of your attention, but you'll ultimately have a much happier experience if you don't get hung up on the little details that could get left behind.

Your birth plan will probably center on your strategy to get through labor, and the question of whether or not to have drugs for your labor is at the heart of that strategy. From general anesthesia to hypnosis, there are several types of pain relief available, though your specific circumstances might limit the methods that are available to you. For instance, an emergency cesarean section will mean that you might have to abandon your birth plan and take the medication that your doctor recommends. On the other hand, you may intend to use pain medication, but labor is progressing too quickly to have it administered. In any case, think hard about what you're willing to do and what you're absolutely against -- if you would rather labor naturally but will accept medication if you decide you need it during active labor, be sure to indicate that on your plan.

Medical musts:

Any complications that arrive in the third trimester are usually traced to problems with the placenta, and although most of them are quite rare, there are several conditions that you need to watch out for. Placenta previa is one complication that can reveal itself before delivery, but placenta accreta (when the placenta is too deeply embedded in the uterine lining) or abruptio placenta (when the placenta separates from the lining prematurely) typically occur closer to delivery and you'll need immediate treatment to keep you and your baby healthy.

Vaginal bleeding might be the most obvious sign of complications, but there are other symptoms that could point to a serious situation. If you begin to feel menstrual-like cramps or you notice a watery, pink or brownish discharge, call your doctor immediately: you could be experiencing the beginning of preterm labor and will need to get help or treatment as soon as possible.

Tips for your partner:

Taking part in the pregnancy will help you bond with your baby and your partner, but it can also be a window into what lies ahead for you as parents. Help create the birth plan that will guide the labor, delivery and stay at the hospital. While your partner ultimately has the last word over how she will handle the pain and who she wants in the delivery room, there are places where you can voice your opinion. Practicing compromise now will help you approach future decisions or disagreements with understanding and respect -- an important quality in any healthy and happy family.

When you help with her plan, you can also discuss any fears, questions or concerns either of you may have. If you are the labor partner, practice different labor postures and concentration techniques to see what works for both of you before the time comes to put them to the test. Remember that you could very well become your partner's spokesperson when she's distracted by labor, so discuss the reasons behind each point of the plan to know where to compromise with the doctor and where to stand firm.

This week's FAQS:

1) My baby has been kicking a lot lately, but today he's much less active. Should I be worried?

Once fetal activity becomes a regular part of your day, it's hard not to focus on the patterns of movement. However, a 30 week fetus is developing a sleep and waking cycle, losing area to squirm around and reacting less erratically, so it can seem like he isn't moving as much as you expect. In fact, the most active fetal period is typically between week 24 and week 28; after this point, the movements may become more predictable but also more muffled because your baby doesn't have as much room to really kick out.

Each baby is different, so your experience of fetal movement may differ greatly from what your friends and family had felt. Count your baby's kicks twice each day to get a more accurate reading (a morning and evening check is ideal), and if your kick count sheet shows a drastic drop in activity (less than 10 kicks in an hour for a few hours), let your doctor know right away.

2) My legs have been swollen and aching for a few days. Could this be a sign of a blood clot?

Edema, or swelling during pregnancy, is one of the most common complaints at 30 weeks along, and it's perfectly harmless in most cases. You may find that your feet are particularly puffy at the end of a work day or after a light workout, so put them up for a while to help drain the fluid that has pooled in your legs. However, pain, warmth and inflammation are not common effects of swelling -- these symptoms could point to a blood clot.

Pregnant women are more prone to blood clots for a couple of reasons. First, your blood has begun to clot more quickly in preparation for the blood loss you'll experience during delivery. Secondly, your growing uterus has joined forces with gravity to press on your veins, making it more difficult for blood to travel back up your extremities and to your heart. Luckily, most women won't experience any type of blood clot during pregnancy, but if you've had previous blood clots, are over 30, suffer from varicose veins or are overweight, you may be at a higher risk for deep vein thrombosis. In this case, you should commit to diet, activity and clothing that may fight the formation of clots.

3) Is it normal for my hips to hurt?

So far, you've been battling round ligament pain, indigestion, muscle cramps and an aching back, and you may be wondering if it's even possible to squeeze in another discomfort. Well, hip pain is another unfortunate pregnancy symptom that can arrive in the third trimester, and as usual, you can blame it on your hormones. Those pregnancy hormones that are responsible for your slower digestion and your fatigue will also target the connective tissue around your joints, making for joint pain and muscle aches around particularly active areas, like the hips.

Luckily, this pain doesn't mean you need to see the doctor. Instead, try to concentrate on some prenatal yoga poses that will help to take the pressure off the hips, and make sure that the chair you use at work is adjusted to suit your height and posture. You only have a couple months to go until many of these pains will go away, but you can use rest, stretching and heat therapy to relieve the discomfort until then.

Week by Week: Pregnancy week-29

The first two weeks of the third trimester are behind you. The next several weeks will hold different things, but in the mean time this is what you can expect.

Pregnancy Week 29: What changes are occurring with your body?

Your total pregnancy weight gain to this point should be between 19 and 25 pounds (8.6 to 11.3 kg). The top of your uterus can be felt somewhere between 3 ½ to 4 inches (8.9 to 10 cm) above your belly button. Last week we began talking about a few of the discomforts that are associated with the later part of pregnancy.Constipation results in abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of hard stools.

Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent constipation from occurring or treat it if you are already experiencing it:

• Eat a high fiber diet including: fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, whole grain breads, prunes, and bran.
• Drink a lot of fluids: Drink 10 to 12 cups of fluids each day.
• Exercise routinely: Walking, swimming, and other moderate exercises three times a week for 20-30 minutes each can help stimulate the bowels.
• Over-the-counter remedies such as Colace or Metamucil.
• Reduce or eliminate iron supplements.

Laxative pills and mineral oils are NOT recommended for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy.*

Pregnancy Week 29: How big is your baby?

Your baby now measures over 14 ½ inches (37 cm) and weighs 2 ¾ pounds (1.25 kg).*

Pregnancy Week 29: What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is rapidly growing at this point. Obviously your baby is continuing to gain weight, and his/her head is also growing. This is due to the rapid brain development that began in week 28. Muscles and lungs are also continuing to develop and mature.

Because there is so much development and maturing going on, it is incredibly important to ensure that you are getting plenty of nutrients and rest. Make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. A list of recommendations can be found at Essential Nutrients and Vitamins for pregnancy. If you still have questions regarding nutrition and appropriate amounts of vitamins and nutrients, contact your health care provider.*

Pregnancy Week 29: What should you plan for this week?

Some women may receive what they interpret as “strange requests” from their health care providers. These requests could be as small as avoiding specific activities or could be as serious as being told to go on completebed rest. If you don’t understand or are confused, ask your care provider to clarify what he/she wants. Ask what outcome can occur if you follow the advice or what could occur if you choose not to. Be informed on what all of the options are.

Pregnancy Week 29: Tips for making your pregnancy better

A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor, or has recently given birth. The goal of a doula is to help the mother have a positive and safe birth experience, whether the mother wants an un-medicated birth or is having a planned cesarean birth.

During delivery, a doula is in constant close proximity to the mother. She can provide comfort through pain relief techniques, such as breathing, relaxing, massage, and laboring positions. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance. The role of the doula is never to take the place of the father or partner in labor, but to compliment and enhance the couple’s experience.

Do you need a doula? Take a chance to learn about how having a Doula at your birth could provide great benefits. Click Find A Doula to locate a doula in your area.

Pregnancy Week : Tips for mom’s partner

As your partner is making plans on how to handle her labor and who to have present during the delivery, now would be the time for you two to discuss what type of role you want to have during the birth. As the partner, you can be the sole support person, or you may be interested in hiring a doula to help both of you during the laboring process.

Week by week: Pregnancy week - 28 (What to Expect When You Are 28 Weeks Pregnant)

This is the official beginning of the third trimester—the last leg of the journey. Pregnancy week 28 may cause overwhelming emotions, as most women suddenly feel like it's all happening too fast and they aren’t prepared enough to handle childbirth and baby care. It is best, however, to work on keeping your mind and body relaxed and rest as much as you can. Let's look at how you'll be doing on the first week of your third trimester. This is also the time you need to start tracking your baby's kicks.

Pregnancy Week 28 Symptoms

At 28 weeks, the fabulous second trimester is behind you and you are fast approaching delivery. Your baby will grow rapidly from hereon and starting this week, you will begin to experience the discomfort of carrying your baby. As the baby's weight increases, your uterus pushes deeper against all organs, so you may feel intermittent pain in your ribs and abdomen, not to mention a constant desire to urinate. These are very common pregnancy week 28 symptoms and there is no need for alarm. Make sure that you take appropriate steps to minimize the annoyance caused by these symptoms. For example, frequent urination, especially at night is one of the most common pregnancy week 28 symptoms and can interfere with your sleep patterns and leave you feeling fatigued. Reducing your intake of liquids during the latter half of the evening and before you go to bed, will help you enjoy uninterrupted sleep.

Leg cramps and backaches will become a regular feature from pregnancy week 28. In fact, you may even notice some swelling around the ankles this week. It is best to rest as much as you can and do routine stretching to ease the discomfort in your back and leg. Put your feet up as often as possible and support your back with cushions when you lie down. While you can't give up on daily chores, you can start cutting down your workload, particularly anything that involves bending or lifting weights. When you are 28 weeks pregnant symptoms such as leg cramps, swelling and itching will start bothering you. Massaging your legs often around this time helps. A woman who is 28 weeks pregnant has symptoms such leg cramps, swelling and itching. Your third trimester is only a week away and you are probably anxious about your pregnancy after keeping track of it for so long. Being 28 weeks pregnant, the symptoms are not always fun. Many of the symptoms that you may have experienced in your early stages may have eased off by now. In fact the feelings of nausea and morning sickness also subside. Around this time you will have a feeling of well-being. People begin complimenting you about your “blooming” looks when you are 28 weeks pregnant. Some symptoms such as backache, heartburn, leg cramps, constipation, and Braxton Hicks contractions begin to bother your. When you are 28 weeks pregnant, symptoms mentioned above are not necessarily the only thing that bothers you. As your baby gets stronger and bigger you will find that you find it difficult to sleep. Try and take short naps whenever possible and when an opportunity presents itself. In fact its best that you take advantage of any additional sleep that comes your way before the baby is born. When you are 28 weeks pregnant signs such as clumsiness, lower abdominal pain, varicose veins and itchiness, heartburn and indigestion, hemorrhoids, and shortness of breath begin to bother you. Another one of the common 28 weeks pregnancy symptoms is the need to urinate frequently. This happens because the uterus constantly pushes on your bladder. When you are at 28 weeks your visits to your health care provider will increase. You may have to see him/her every two weeks. Discuss with your doctor any concerns you may have about your pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Week 28 Weight Gain

At week 28, your baby's muscles are developing so the weight gain in the third trimester is rapid. Any food you eat should be aimed at assisting your baby's organ and muscle growth. If you had normal or above normal weight before you got pregnant, then you should aim to gain just a pound this week. That said, do not skip a meal or eat less. Instead, focus on eating fibrous foods and consume fresh fruits and vegetables. As such, in the third trimester, women tend to gain an average of 11 pounds - roughly 3 to 4 pounds each month. When you are 28 weeks pregnant weight gain is normal and expected. You will be putting on weight during your pregnancy as there is a little one inside you and it is in the interest of the baby’s and your health that you put on weight. How much weight you put on will depend to a great extent on what you weighed before conception. If you are pregnant for 28 weeks baby weight gain is about 2 pounds and the body fat of your baby is about 2-3 percent. When you are 28 weeks pregnant weight gain is around 24 pounds and this is good as it helps nourish and cushion your baby till it is time for delivery.

When you are in your 28 weeks of pregnancy weight gain is around ¾ -1 pound. This is the last week of your second trimester and your stomach starts to protrude and you look pregnant. It is nice to put on weight but be careful not to pile on the pounds. The amount of weight you gain should depend to a great extent on what your Body Mass Index or BMI was before your pregnancy. If your BMI before your pregnancy was above normal, then be careful about the amount of weight you put on. Make sure that when you are 28 weeks pregnant weight gain is under control as this will help you take care of any complications post-delivery. Your calorie intake should be around 2100-2400 calories so that you are able to put on the expected amount of weight. As mentioned earlier weight gain would depend totally upon you and your baby. Everyone has a different pregnancy and your weight gain may be slightly different from what is expected.

Pregnancy Week 28 Ultrasound

At week 28, your baby will be 14 to 15 inches long and will weigh a little over 2 pounds. If you get a pregnancy week 28 ultrasound done, you will be able to see your baby's hair. While this differs from baby to baby, hair will be more noticeable this week. Also, your baby will now have eyelashes. You will also notice that your baby's muscle tone is more distinct and it seems more filled out. When you are 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound may not be done unless there is a specific reason such as a complication. By the time you are 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound will show some lovely images of your baby. Your baby is 14.8 inches in length or more and weighs about 2.2 pounds. The baby’s brain around this time begins to mature and grooves that are commonly associated with a human brain are seen. In some cases the baby will be growing hair on the head though some babies may be born bald. When 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound will show your baby open and close its eyes if you are lucky enough. Else your baby will be seen with the eyes closed as the activities you do during the day will lull it to sleep. When you are 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound will be able to tell you if your baby is feet-first, head-first, or bottom-first in the womb.

However don’t panic if the baby’s position is breech position right now. Many babies change positions on their own and get back to normal by the time of delivery. When in 28 weeks of pregnancy an ultrasound (Doppler test), will help you hear the heartbeat of your baby.  When 28 weeks pregnant a 3D ultrasound will give you 3D view of what your baby looks like inside the womb. Cute pictures such as your baby sucking his/her thumb, yawning or snoozing away are going to amaze you. Health care providers believe that the 3D ultrasounds can be done when you are 24-30 weeks pregnant; however there are some centers that feel that the best time for these is in 28-32 weeks of your pregnancy. At 28 weeks you are almost at your third trimester so try relaxing and doing some fun things like planning your baby shower.

28 Weeks Pregnant Bleeding

When you are 28 weeks pregnant bleeding could be due to various reasons. Bleeding during pregnancy period could be dangerous to both the child and the mother. If when you are 28 weeks pregnant and bleeding occurs it is important that you report it to your doctor immediately. The causes of bleeding at this stage of your pregnancy could be due to various reasons.

One reason could be placenta previa. Here the placenta lies near or over the mouth of the uterus or is implanted very low. If this condition occurs when you are 28 weeks pregnant bleeding can be life threatening. Abruption of the placenta when you are 28 weeks pregnant causes bleeding. Placental abruption means that the placenta is detached from the wall of the uterus. As a result of this a blood clot forms between the uterus and the placenta. Woman who are advanced in age, have high blood pressure, and excessive amniotic fluids are at risk. When the symptoms of this condition occur it could lead to bleeding from the vagina, abdominal pain, and tenderness of the uterine and contractions. When you are in your 28 weeks pregnancy period and bleeding of this type occurs it can be dangerous for both you and your child. If bleeding occurs it is important that you immediately seek medical attention. You have to be able to tell your doctor how much blood you have lost and the blood color. In some cases bleeding can be caused by sexual intercourse (recent), vaginal trauma, local lesions, cervical cancer, severe trichomonal or fungal infections, varicose veins of vulva or vagina, a ruptured uterine scar, and polyp. 28 weeks implantation bleeding does not usually happen. This type of bleeding usually occurs in the first few days of your pregnancy soon after ovulation and fertilization.

Week by Week: Pregnancy Week - 28

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels.

She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a 

How your life's changing:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about a pound per week this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits.

Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.

And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Week by week-pregnancy week -26

Welcome to week -26

This is the week you could wave goodbye to your toes as your bump grows bigger.

If night time trips to the toilet are disturbing your sleep pattern and leaving you feeling tired, try not to drink too much in the last two hours before bedtime, and avoid diuretic drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola. This will help, but the pressure of your uterus on your bladder will probably mean midnight toilet trips won't stop altogether.

If you're prone to leg cramps or 'restless' legs, try giving your legs a good massage and stretch in the couple of hours before bedtime: this will keep the muscles supple and less susceptible to going into spasm. A warm bath before bed will help too.

Inside story

Your baby now weighs around 900g (about 2lb). Crown-to-rump length is around 23cm (9.2in) and the skin is becoming less transparent, although a network of veins is still visible below the surface.

Male testicles will descend into the scrotum during this week. The network of nerves in your baby's ears is developing well and the sense of hearing is becoming more sophisticated. Your baby is likely to be aware of your voice and you might notice more movements when you're talking.

Breathing movements are taking place, during which your baby inhales and exhales small amounts of amniotic fluid.

The heart is growing and becoming stronger and the heartbeat will be audible through a standard stethoscope, although not all mums master hearing it this way. Your baby's heartbeat will continue to be monitored at each antenatal visit using the Doppler ultrasound device - the best sound!

On the outside

Your midwife will be able to feel the top of your uterus around 6.5cm (about 2 .5in) above your belly button. This distance will increase by about 1cm a week throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

Most of your pregnancy weight is gained in the last 20 weeks of pregnancy, with most women gaining between 10kg and 12.5kg (22-28lb), so don't be surprised if you find you've gained quite a bit in the past six weeks or so.

The extra weight may mean your lower back starts to feel the strain, so do take extra care of yourself. Some mums-to-be find a bump support helpful: this elasticated sling hugs your bump, providing extra support to the lower back and abdomen.

For good back health, support your lower back with a small cushion when you're sitting; maintaining good posture; treat yourself to a pregnancy massage or acupuncture with a therapist trained in and using a gentle heat pack to ease pain in your lower back.

Things to think about

You might like to consider using complementary therapies in labour: some women bring a practitioner into the labour room with them (birth unit permitting), as well as their chosen birth partner.

Therapies include:

Reflexology – this involves manipulation of the feet to treat different organs in the body

Acupuncture – effective as pain relief and for relaxation

Meditation and visualisation – can aid pain-relief and be practised with or without a therapist

Hypnosis – helps to distance the labouring mum from her pain.

Water births

If you're interested in a water birth start making plans. Check your local hospital and birthing unit has a birthing pool. Some units are happy for you to bring your own hired pool; others don't have strong enough floors to support the weight. If you're determined to have a water birth this might influence your choice of where to give birth. If you have sufficient space at home you might opt for a home water birth.

You can legitimately give birth wherever you choose, and change your mind right up until the moment you're in labour – although this is not ideal. Recent changes to the law mean that although you have a perfect right to give birth at home, your health authority doesn't have a responsibility to provide a midwifery service. You are entitled to emergency care, whether from a midwife, doctor or by ambulance transfer to hospital – and, in reality, most health authorities will provide you with a midwife for a home birth unless they are completely unable to do so.