Pregnant: What happens in week 30

Your baby's development in the 30th week of pregnancy

Fetal position: Your little miracle doesn't make very big movements anymore, because the space in the uterus is slowly getting tighter. Even though your baby doesn't have to assume its final birth position yet, it is mostly in the fetal position in your belly. In doing so it has the knees drawn up and arms folded across the chest.

Right- or left-handed?: Already in the womb it is possible to tell whether your baby will later prefer the right or left hand. Many babies suck on their right thumb noticeably more often and thereby give an indication of their later preference.

Smooth and rosy skin: In the last weeks of pregnancy your baby is mainly busy growing and gaining weight. It avidly swallows amniotic fluid, which stimulates digestion. The additional fat pads ensure that the skin is now becoming increasingly smoother and the skin folds are gradually being filled.

Independent temperature regulation: Your baby can fully regulate its body temperature independently in the 30th week of pregnancy.

Own pain perception: Your baby has become increasingly sensitive in recent weeks and reacts to your caresses. In the 30th week of pregnancy it can also feel pain. This insight is relatively new and very important. Until the 1970s doctors were convinced that babies could not feel pain before and for some time after birth. The refutation of that assumption led to a rethink in prenatal diagnostics and in interventions in the womb before birth.

The 3rd major ultrasound examination is coming up

As expectant parents you probably can hardly wait: The final basic ultrasound examination is due. If you don't have an appointment yet, it's best to ask your gynecologist. Because the 3rd ultrasound takes place between the 29th and 32nd week of pregnancy. In doing so, the doctors check the health of your miracle and measure it from head to toe. They also measure the amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac, which steadily decreases in the third trimester.

Your baby is now about 38 to 40 cm long, weighs approx. 1,400 grams and is storing more and more fat reserves – you can roughly imagine its size as about a cabbage. You can also already recognize the fetal position on the ultrasound image: with arms and knees drawn up it now stays in your belly. Your little miracle is in the middle of preparations for the world. You can particularly see this because now in the 30th week of pregnancy the lanugo hair – the fine down that covers your fetus' body – is slowly shedding. You will hardly notice any of it at birth. Instead, hair on your baby's head is now sprouting.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in the 30th week of pregnancy?

"Your bump is growing and growing! And you probably can't get enough of looking at yourself in the mirror. However, with the growing belly in the 30th week of pregnancy, pregnancy complaints such as circulatory and digestive problems as well as back pain occur. Here you will find an overview of the physical changes in the 30th week of pregnancy.

Shortness of breath: Many women are often short of breath in the 30th week of pregnancy. Climbing stairs or a longer walk becomes increasingly exhausting. The enlarged uterus takes up a lot of space, preventing the lungs from fully expanding. So you can take in less air. Take it easy and preferably hand over strenuous tasks.

Quickly tired and exhausted: You have less oxygen available in the 8th month of pregnancy and gain about 400 grams per week. The additional body weight makes your movements more difficult and you will probably feel quickly exhausted and tired. Treat yourself to relaxing breaks and put your feet up more often. Just a few weeks left and you will be on maternity leave. Then you will have plenty of time to relax and prepare for the demanding time before and after birth.

Lying down becomes tiring: Your belly is growing and even lying down becomes strenuous. It's best to lie on your left side, that's the most comfortable. Additionally, it relieves pressure on your organs. Our tip: Grab a small pillow and place it under your belly – it provides pure relief.

Practice contractions begin: In the 30th week of pregnancy, the so-called Braxton-Hicks contractions begin and cause a a hard abdomen. But don't worry: These are not labor contractions, your body is just practicing and preparing for birth with these practice contractions.

The position of the placenta: natural birth or C-section?

In the 30th week of pregnancy your doctor checks in the final major ultrasound examination the exact position of the placenta. Only towards the end of pregnancy can it be finally determined where the placenta lies, which is why it plays an important role in the final ultrasound examination. From a medical perspective, it may be advisable to perform a C-section. You may need to reconsider your decision for a natural birth — which can be disappointing at first. But in this case there are fewer risks for you and your baby. Since a C-section is nowadays usually performed under local anesthesia, you can still see and hear your child cry immediately after birth. Your partner can also be by your side in the OR, so you experience the birth together.

How does the position of the placenta affect the birth?

The placenta is basically located at the spot in the uterus where the fertilized egg implanted at the beginning of pregnancy. If implantation occurs in the lower part of the uterus, it is called placenta praevia. If it only touches the cervix but does not cover it, your baby can be born vaginally. Due to the expansion of the placenta, it may happen that it partially or completely covers the cervix. Then your baby cannot easily glide into the birth canal and must be delivered by C-section.

Important appointments in the 30th week of pregnancy

Pack the hospital bag: In the middle of the 8th month the home stretch is slowly in sight. Our tip: If you are not giving birth to your child at home, it's best to use this time now to pack the first things into the hospital bag. Take your time and discuss with your midwife what you will need for the baby and yourselves in the first days. Put the packed hospital bag within reach – it gives you security and if things need to happen quickly later, you can head straight to the hospital or birthing center.

Baby starter kit: By the 30th week of pregnancy at the latest, you should have completed your checklists for the baby starter kit so that you can calmly prepare for the birth of your child. In case of preterm birth you will then be well prepared. But otherwise you will have less stress and can enjoy the last weeks of pregnancy relaxed.

2nd dental appointment: In the 30th week of pregnancy the 2nd check-up appointment with the dentist. Here your teeth and gums will be examined again and you will receive tips for oral hygiene during pregnancy.

For the 31st week of pregnancy