Week 30
of pregnancy

Being 30 weeks pregnant marks an important milestone in your pregnancy journey. With just 10 weeks left until your due date, it’s nearly time to meet your little one, but there are still many changes and developments to come between now and then. Read on for insights on your baby's development, advice on dealing with your pregnancy symptoms, and some lifestyle tips and adjustments to guide you when you're 30 weeks pregnant and throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

Highlights at 30 Weeks Pregnant

Check out some key highlights from 30 weeks of pregnancy:

• At 30 weeks pregnant, your little one is about the size of a cabbage.

• Your baby is gaining hair on their head but losing the fine hair (lanugo) that was covering their skin.

• You might experience practice contractions (Braxton Hicks) around 30 weeks pregnant or in the next few weeks. This article may help you distinguish between real and practice contractions.

• Now might be a good time to research the best baby products out there.

Are you still deciding on a name for your baby? If so, try our Baby Name Generator for some inspiration:

30 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Here’s what's going on with your baby's development when you're at 30 weeks pregnant:

• That occasional rhythmic movement you're felt in your belly could be your baby hiccupping!

• Your little one’s eyes can open and close at 30 weeks pregnant. They can even sense changes in light.

• The fine hair that’s been covering your baby’s skin, which is called lanugo, starts to disappear around this time. You’ll find out how much of your baby’s lanugo sheds when they’re born; some babies are born with a little still remaining on their shoulders, back, or ears.

• Speaking of hair: Did you know that some babies are born with a full head of hair? At 30 weeks, the hair on your baby’s head is starting to grow and thicken. Of course, you’ll just have to wait until your baby’s arrival to find out exactly how thick their locks are!

• If you’re 30 weeks pregnant with twins, learn more about your baby’s development in our article on twin pregnancy week-by-week.

How Many Months Is 30 Weeks Pregnant?

It’s common to wonder what 30 weeks pregnant is in months. Although there's no standard way to group the 40 weeks of pregnancy neatly into months, at 30 weeks you’re likely in month 7.

So, what trimester is 30 weeks? At 30 weeks pregnant, you’re now in your third and final trimester.

Baby’s Size at 30 Weeks Pregnant

How big is a baby at 30 weeks pregnant? At 30 weeks pregnant, on average, a fetus is about the size of a cabbage, weighing nearly three pounds and measuring nearly 10 and a half inches crown to rump.

Your Baby: What Does 30 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

The illustration below offers you a glimpse at how your baby may be positioned at 30 weeks pregnant.

Your Body at 30 Weeks Pregnant

As your due date approaches, you may be feeling stressed or anxious, and it’s super important to take care of your mind, body, and soul. Relaxation techniques may help you feel and stay calm; you may want to try a few and see what works best.

For some, getting a massage does the trick. Others listen to music with their eyes closed or do some prenatal yoga.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed and nothing you try seems to work, ask your healthcare provider for additional advice, and make sure you share your feelings with loved ones.

30 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 30 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Braxton Hicks contractions. If you feel a tightness in your abdomen around 30 weeks, you may be experiencing what are called Braxton Hicks or practice contractions. These are contractions that help your body prepare for labor, but they are not a sign that you are actually going into labor. They can occur more frequently when you are tired or dehydrated, and they tend to occur later in the day. Braxton Hicks contractions can get stronger as your due date nears, and it can become tricky to tell whether you’re experiencing these practice contractions or if you are going into labor.

  • If you experience contractions or cramping at 30 weeks pregnant and you’re not sure whether they are Braxton Hicks or true labor contractions—or something else entirely—contact your healthcare provider, who will be able to assess your symptoms. Also, contact your healthcare provider if you experience vaginal bleeding, a low dull back pain, or stomach pains that progress over time at 30 weeks pregnant or anytime in your pregnancy as these may be some symptoms of preterm labor or something else.

• Itchy skin. With pregnancy weight gain and a growing belly, at around 30 weeks pregnant, you may start to experience itchiness as your skin stretches and dries out. Gently applying a moisturizing lotion and staying well-hydrated can help. Read more about itchy skin during pregnancy for additional tips.

• Feeling short of breath. This could be happening because your uterus is getting bigger and pushing your stomach and diaphragm up into your lungs, making breathing more difficult. In the last month or two of pregnancy, you may find breathing a little easier as your baby drops down into your pelvis, easing the pressure on your lungs. But for now, you might experience some difficulty. Move slowly and sit up straight to give your lungs extra room to expand. If you experience chest pains or a major change in the way you breathe, consult your healthcare provider right away, as these are among the symptoms not to ignore at 30 weeks pregnant.

Are you wondering what the symptoms of carrying a girl are compared to carrying a boy at 30 weeks pregnant? Well, we’re afraid you’ll have to keep on wondering because science has shown that pregnancy symptoms are not linked to the baby's assigned gender.

But, for some unscientific fun, read our article on Old Wives’ Tales for Predicting Gender.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 30 Weeks?

You may notice a lot of growth in your bump around 30 weeks pregnant and throughout this month as your baby grows rapidly and gains weight. This may make your uterus feel heavier, and as we mentioned in the above section, it may push your stomach and diaphragm up toward your lungs.

If your fundal height is measured at 30 weeks, it’ll likely be close to 30 centimeters (11 to 12 and a half inches) from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus.

What Does 30 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

To get an idea of a pregnant belly size around 30 weeks pregnant, take a look at the image below.

30 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

From babymoons to researching doulas, here are some things to consider at 30 weeks pregnant:

• If your healthcare provider gives you the all-clear, you could do some traveling at 30 weeks pregnant, before your baby arrives. Go on a babymoon with your partner or take a trip with friends. Check out our article on travel during pregnancy for tips and guidance and have some fun with our short quiz regarding your ideal babymoon destination. If your plans include air travel, ask your healthcare provider if you can fly at 30 weeks pregnant.

• Remember that it’s important to eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet throughout pregnancy to support your baby's growth and ensure that both of you are staying healthy. If you’re wondering what to eat at 30 weeks of pregnancy, one of the crucial nutrients to look for is calcium, a mineral that helps build your baby’s bones and teeth. You need 1,000 mg of calcium each day, and if you’re not getting enough in the foods you eat, your healthcare provider may recommend supplements. Dairy products, fortified cereals and juices, almonds, and dark, leafy greens are great sources of calcium, and you can ask your healthcare provider for more suggestions on getting calcium during your pregnancy.

• Feeling about the same amount of movement from your baby from one day to the next can be a reassuring sign that everything is going well at 30 weeks pregnant. Some experts recommend starting to do "kick counts" from around 30 weeks of pregnancy; ask your healthcare provider when they recommend you start doing these fetal movement checks, as everyone's situation is different. Your provider will also be able to give direction on how to do these counts. One way is to find a time of day when your baby is usually most active and count the number of kicks or movements you feel in a two-hour window. Download our fetal movement tracker to help you do this with ease. Keep in mind that if you feel decreased fetal movement at 30 weeks pregnant, this doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong; your baby could simply be asleep! Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

• Is your baby shower host pestering you for the details of your registry? Put the finishing touches on it so that they can finalize the shower invitations and send them out in time. Check out this registry checklist and must-haves to make sure you’ve covered all the essentials.

• If you’re thinking of hiring a labor support professional, now's the time to start researching and interviewing potential doulas. A doula is someone who can give you comfort and help before, during, and after labor and childbirth.

30 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Here are some questions that you might like to ask your healthcare provider at your 30-week appointment or any time you need advice:

• When will I get the Tdap vaccination? This vaccine helps protect your baby from contracting whooping cough in the first few months after birth.

• Who is my backup healthcare provider if my current one is on leave or unavailable over the next few months?

• Do you recommend having a written birth plan?

• If I have been diagnosed with placenta accreta, what warning signs should I look out for during the third trimester and what are my chances of needing a cesarean section?

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}