What does a baby look like at 30 weeks of pregnancy? How much does it weigh and how long can its small body reach? What ailments in the 30th week of pregnancy may bother the mother the most? And finally, the most important and most frequently asked question by friends: 30th week of pregnancy, what month is it? In this post, we suggest what happens in the XNUMXth week of pregnancy.
We are entering week 30 of pregnancy: which month is it?
The future mother's belly is growing fast, so you shouldn't be surprised by questions from friends and even neighbors. Well, the 30th week of pregnancy (29.1-30 tc) is the middle of the 7th month of pregnancy, which means that the woman is already in the third, last trimester. Sometimes lost daddies, stressed out by the upcoming change, sometimes ask the questions: "Honey, 30th week of pregnancy, what month is it? How far is it from giving birth? ”. Dear mothers, be understanding.
The expectation of the birth of a child is a great event not only for you, but also for fathers who, in the rush of preparations for childbirth, may lose a little "time count". Talking about all the concerns and hopes related to parenthood, consultations with a midwife and participation in the birthing school will certainly help relieve stress, both in future mothers and dads.
If you have entered the 30th week of pregnancy, the forum of many parenting websites may bring you both comfort and a lot of doubts. Of course, it is worth looking for support from other future parents, but it is better to consult a specialist doctor about any medical doubts.
Is the belly big at 30 weeks of pregnancy?
The baby is now intensively increasing its body weight, which is why the mum-to-be's belly also intensively increases its circumference, on average by about 1 cm per week. Many women looking at their stomach in their thirtieth week of pregnancy cannot imagine that it can grow any more. And yet! In order for a newborn to be healthy and able to function independently, it must constantly grow and take on bodies. On internet portals, future moms often ask themselves: "30 weeks pregnant, how much have you gained?"
At this stage, the baby is gaining about 0,2 kg per week, but the expectant mother can now gain as much as 0,5 kg in each week of pregnancy. How much she eventually gets fat depends not only on her initial body weight, but also on the weight of the child or the lifestyle she leads during pregnancy (diet and physical activity).
Ailments in the 30th week of pregnancy
A baby grows bigger and bigger in the abdomen, which, by stretching the uterus, presses the abdominal organs of the future mother. This is why some of the symptoms of the thirtieth week of pregnancy begin to bother the pregnant woman more and more:
- heartburn gets worse;
- difficulties with bowel movements may arise;
- swelling of the legs and hands appears;
- problems with falling comfortably to sleep or back pain.
A healthy diet rich in fiber, eating smaller meals more often, and visiting a qualified massage therapist can help with gastric problems and pain. It is always a good idea to discuss them with your doctor as well.
Some women also complain of discomforts in the 30th week of pregnancy such as itching in the abdomen and breasts which are related to the increased stretching of the skin in these areas. Nutrition is accumulated in the breasts intensively and therefore they may be more sensitive and sore. Sometimes in their 30th week of pregnancy, they start to leak milk from time to time, the so-called colostrum. This should not be of concern to the mother-to-be. For itchy skin, it is worth using gentle moisturizing creams on a regular basis, preferably dedicated to pregnant women. In the case of very severe itching, it is good to see a specialist.
30 weeks of pregnancy: baby's weight and size
In the third trimester, babies develop in a very individual rhythm, so your baby's weight and height may differ significantly from your friend's or sister's baby size at the same time of pregnancy.
There is nothing disturbing about it. If you regularly see a doctor, based on tests, e.g. Ultrasound, it can determine if your baby is okay in your belly. In the 30th week of pregnancy, the child's weight may even reach 1,3-1,5 kg, but it depends on many factors, such as e.g. genetic background. The length of the baby's body usually varies between 40-43 cm, but there may also be individual differences.
When it comes to the 30th week of twin pregnancy, the weight of babies is usually similar to that of a singleton pregnancy, however, it may remain closer to the lower limit of the normal range. If, for any reason, a premature birth occurs, premature babies in the 30th week of pregnancy are already very large, because about 95% chance of survival. However, they require intensive medical care and a stay in an incubator, the duration of which depends on the individual condition of each child.
What does a baby look like at 30 weeks of pregnancy?
A little man at this stage of fetal development already has nails, eyelashes and even hair on his head! It looks very similar to newborns, which we associate with photos, films or meetings with friends who became parents some time ago. At 30 weeks of pregnancy:
- In a child the cerebral cortex develops intensively. Numerous folds are formed on it and new neural connections are formed every day;
- The baby's senses work at full speed, perceiving such stimuli as: changing the intensity of light, sounds and smell (especially pleasant, mother's smell);
- In the 30th week of pregnancy, the baby's brain also begins to develop a thermoregulation center (present in the brainstem), which will help the little body maintain an optimal temperature after delivery.
In newborns, thermoregulatory reactions are not fully developed yet, so pay special attention to appropriate clothing: we cannot overheat or cool the baby's body. Clothing made of natural fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, linen or wool (especially soft merino wool) works best.
Tests at 30 weeks of pregnancy: 4D ultrasound, is it worth doing?
In the third trimester, one of the 3 most important ultrasound examinations during pregnancy should be performed, namely the so-called Third trimester ultrasound. As patients are directed to get them between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy, many expectant mothers decide to have them during the 30th week of pregnancy. During this detailed ultrasound examination, the overall development of the child, the work of the heart is carefully assessed. the length of the femur, the circumference of the tummy and the head. On this basis, the gynecologist is able to estimate the approximate weight of the baby on the day of birth (set at 40 weeks of pregnancy).
During the third trimester ultrasound, the specialist once again confirms the pregnancy age - this is especially important if the patient has symptoms such as suspicion of placental insufficiency or inhibition of fetal development. In addition to the third trimester ultrasound, a pregnant woman is recommended to undergo such tests at the 30th week of pregnancy as:
- blood count;
- general urine examination;
- blood pressure measurement;
- body weight measurement.
In some cases, the doctor may also measure blood sugar levels and test anti-RH antibodies. During this period, additional tests for the presence of toxoplasmosis and HBs antigen (hepatitis B) are often ordered.
In order to better visualize the baby, some parents also decide to do 30D ultrasound in the 4th week of pregnancy, which allows for a very realistic image. A photo of a child from such an ultrasound is a unique souvenir from the course of pregnancy.
Konsultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl - resident physician in the course of specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
