30 Weeks Pregnant

How Big is Baby?

Your baby is the size of a large cabbage. She has cycles of sleeping and waking. After 30 to 90 minutes of snoozing, she may give you a kick to let you know she's awake.

Baby's Length: 15.71in.
Baby's Weight: 2.91lb.

Mom's Changing Body

As your skin expands to accommodate baby, stretch marks aren't always the only side effect. An estimated 20 percent of expectant moms also experience itchy skin. Your doctor may recommend antihistamines or ointments, but a calming lotion can also provide relief. As for those stretch marks? At least half of moms-to-be get them, usually in the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy. And no matter what the fancy-product pushers may have you believe, there's really nothing you can do to prevent them. The good news is that they will fade significantly over time, though they won't disappear completely. There are some prescription creams and in-office laser treatments that may help lighten them, but you're best off waiting until you're at least a few months postpartum (or until you're done nursing, if you want to try certain prescription creams) to weigh these options with a dermatologist.

Baby's Development

From this point on, your baby will gain about a half pound each week. All that baby weight is for more than filling out his chubby cheeks. Now that all of his major body systems are in place and functioning, he needs padding to protect and insulate his organs. His built-up fat tissue will also help him regulate his body temperature after birth and provide the energy he needs. Because your baby is adding fat and growing bigger, you might find his movements become less frequent—it's getting harder for him to maneuver. But if you're not feeling any jabs or the occasional kick, tell your health care provider.

Weekly Tip

If you tap on your belly, your baby may kick or poke back at the same spot you touched. So neat—you can play with your baby well before he's born! When he kicks, try rubbing your tummy and talking softly or singing—you might just find that it calms him down.

Week 30 Ultrasound

This image shows how developed your baby-to-be's features have become. With his pouty lips and tiny nose, he looks much like he will at birth. Note the baby's hand in front of his eyes and forehead.

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What Week 30 of Your Pregnancy Is Really Like

Pregnancy Confidential Podcast

What Giving Birth with an Epidural is Really Like

Over the last couple weeks, we've covered exactly what you should expect from different kinds of births, from the unmedicated vaginal birth to the C-section, but at Week 30, as you start into your last 10 weeks of pregnancy, you might want to know a little more about the most common way to give birth: vaginally, with an epidural. It's no surprise so many women end up delivering this way—childbirth is painful and it is the 21st century after all, so why shouldn't we medicate ourselves? While it's a perfectly acceptable way to do it, of course there are pros and cons, which are worth weighing up before you make your birth plan. While we remind you that you should always expect the unexpected when you're expecting, it's still worth knowing your options.

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This Week's To-Do List

Buy a car seat, stroller, and any other important baby gear that you didn't receive at your shower.
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Count fetal kicks.
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Pack your hospital bag and one for your partner.
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Know the signs of premature labor.
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Try exercises designed to help prepare your body for D-day.
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