Your growing baby
Your baby is about the weight of a cabbage 1.3kg and measures 39.9cm (head to heel).
The formation of white fat cells under the skin is causing your baby to have surges of energy and you may find that it ends up lying in a strange position.
This ‘transverse lie’ position is quite normal at this stage. Your baby is floating in about a pint and a half of amniotic fluid and will move into different positions before reaching its final position with the head down, ready to be born.
Your baby’s sleeping and waking cycles are quite defined but may not coincide with your own! Be prepared for some strong kicks under the ribs and pressure on your pelvic floor.
While the eyesight is still developing and is not yet very acute, your baby is able to discern objects quite close to its face. All five senses are now functional.
Pregnancy week 30 – What’s happening to you
Tiredness is likely to be an issue as your sleep is being disrupted several times a night. Your growing baby is putting a lot of demands on your body, so be kind to yourself and rest whenever you can and try to get more sleep by going to bed earlier, or staying in bed later or, if you can manage it, both.
You may experience breathlessness because your baby is putting pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, making it uncomfortable to take deep breaths. Try sitting and standing as straight as possible and taking slow, deep breaths. At night sleep with pillows propping you up. If breathlessness causes you concern you should see your GP.
The mood swings of early pregnancy may reappear or appear for the first time. The changes in your body, hormonal surges and lack of sleep can all play a part in this.
Need to know
Things for you to consider during week 30 of your pregnancy