30th Week of Pregnancy: What You Should Know
The 30th week of pregnancy is very important for the baby’s nervous system and overall development. It’s the perfect time to do some shopping and to think about all the responsibilities the future holds.
What’s my baby like during the 30th week of pregnancy?
During this period, babies aren’t that small anymore. Actually, they’re on average about 10 inches long and weight around 3 pounds. Of course, it’ll depend on their parents’ characteristics and the baby’s development.
However, they can still move freely inside the womb, so don’t worry about that. During the following weeks, they’ll adopt the necessary shape to get ready to be born. They’ll be here in no time!
Do you remember lanugo? That thin layer of hair starts disappearing because a bit of fat starts appearing under the skin. This is a good thing, because it helps regulate the body temperature.
Furthermore, new neurons are created, so the brain increases in size. Babies start responding to stimuli. So, even though you can’t hear them, show them all your love.
Find out more: What Is Intrauterine Growth Restriction?
Your pregnancy is coming to an end! It’s absolutely normal to have concerns and feel nervous about the new responsibilities you’ll have to face in the future. Don’t worry. It’s the perfect moment to spend time with your loved ones, and ask all the questions you need.
Spending time with your family is one of the best choices to go through this experience. Talking to your parents, grandparents and friends, who have already been through this, can be a really good idea. However, if you feel that the situation is getting out of control, you can always ask for professional help; for example, you could talk to a psychologist.
Common symptoms during the 30th week of pregnancy
If you’re going through this situation, you’ll probably be familiar with the following symptoms:
- Food regurgitation: the increased pressure inside your abdomen and the effect of your hormones on the digestive tract muscle cause gastroesophageal reflux. To avoid this, try not to eat too much before you go to bed, and don’t eat spicy food.
- Constipation: this can also be a consequence of the amount of hormones your body is producing. Unless it has become a serious problem, you can usually solve this by drinking a lot of water and eating food rich in fiber.
- Constant urge to pee: since the baby grows near the bladder, it may cause constant pressure. You should pay attention to any kind of pain or burning sensation, because you may be suffering from urinary tract infection.
- Varicose veins: the uterus can press blood vessels inside your pelvis and cause varicose veins. The annoyance tends to ease after giving birth. However, if they’re too big, you should go to the doctor.
- Insomnia: it’s perfectly normal to think about many things during the night and find it hard to fall sleep. Don’t self-medicate, because this can have negative effects on your baby. If the situation is out of control, visit a professional.
Is it necessary to go to the doctor during this period?
You should never stop your prenatal care. Your doctor will tell you how often you should have checkups. This is because the situation may vary according to the baby and the mother.
If you just found out you’re pregnant (it can happen), you should go to the doctor right away, in order to dismiss any possible issue and protect your and your baby’s health.
Tests the doctor may ask you to take and why to take them
Usually, during this period no tests are required. However, the doctor may ask you to take the following:
- Complete blood count: this way the doctor can see your hemoglobin values and find out if you’re anemic.
- Blood chemistry: this is very useful to measure blood sugar and check for gestational diabetes, even though this usually occurs during previous stages.
- Blood test for HIV: this allows doctors to detect the infection on time, and it gives you the chance to take measures to prevent the baby from contracting it.
- Coagulation tests: depending on the results, the doctor will know if there’s any chance of bleeding during birth or C-section.
- Obstetric ultrasound: this is necessary in all the different stages. Depending on the baby’s health, the doctor may ask you to take more complex tests.
Find out more: HIV in Children: What You Should Know
Common questions about the 30th week of pregnancy
The following are the most common questions mothers tend to ask during the 30th week of pregnancy.
1. Is it necessary to keep taking my obstetric medication?
During normal pregnancies, doctor may prescribe certain medication to help the baby develop properly.
The answer is yes. If the doctor prescribed you certain medication, such as iron or folic acid, you should continue taking them, unless the doctor says otherwise.
2. Should I pay attention to my blood pressure?
Yes. You don’t have to measure it all the time, but you should pay attention to it. Furthermore, pay attention to other kinds of symptoms, like intense headaches or swelling in the arms and legs. Remember that all cases of pre-eclampsia are medical emergencies!
3. Can I have sex during this stage?
It depends. In most cases, it’s ok to continue having sex during this period. However, sex may cause uterine contractions, and sometimes, it may not be convenient.
Prepare everything you need!
This is the final stage. So, think about things like where the baby is going to sleep, choose a name, buy some clothes. And, most of all, make good use of this time with your partner, family and friends!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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