As in the previous weeks the baby is continuously maturing in preparation of birth. Consequently the mother’s body is also undergoing lot of changes to accommodate the growing foetus. Albeit not fully developed, the babies born in this week have chances of surviving if proper medical care is given. The overview of the changes in
Pregnancy Week 30 is as given below.
Changes in the Baby
Physical Changes
Baby is continuously growing and gaining weight. Layers of fat are being deposited under the skin making the
baby look less wrinkly. With this the lanugo, the prenatal hair insulating the body in the absence of fat, starts disappearing. The baby now weighs almost 3 pounds and is around 10 to 14 inches from head to toe.
Internal Changes
The baby‘s diaphragm repeatedly moves mimicking breathing movements. The baby even starts hiccupping if amniotic fluid is inhaled in the process of
breathing. These hiccups can be felt as rhythmic vibrations in the uterus by the mother. The bone marrow starts producing red blood cells. Motor developments are also taking place. The baby now has a strong grip, strong enough to grip the mother’s fingers. In
Pregnancy Week 30 the baby also starts sucking his thumbs around this time. This prepares him for nursing after birth. Around this time the baby’s teeth and gums are developed.
Sensory Development in the Baby
The brain is also developing and the baby becomes aware about its surroundings. The baby’s eyes are maturing and it can now distinguish between light and dark. The baby can open and close its eyes. Its eyes can even follow a light source now and occasionally produce tears. The
baby can hear voices now. It also starts recognizing the mother’s voice.
Changes in the Mother
Physical Changes and Discomforts
By the
Pregnancy Week 30 the baby occupies almost the entire space in the uterine cavity. The mother’s body accommodates the growing uterus under rib cage by pushing the diaphragm up. That is why the mother experiences shortness of breath in the later stages of
Pregnancy. Many ladies develop oedema during this time, i.e. swelling in the ankles and feet because of water retention. This usually happens if the lady has been on a feet for a long time especially on a hot day.
Whereas, mild oedema is common, it becomes a matter of concern if the face and hands begin to swell and the swelling lasts for more than a day. Then it is better to consult the doctor to eliminate the possibility of preeclampsia in
Pregnancy Week 30 . Many ladies experience severe case of heartburn in advanced stages of pregnancy. This is due to the internal displacement of the abdominal organs to accommodate the growing uterus. Headaches, insomnia and constipation are also common because of the increased hormone levels.
A healthy diet that includes lot of fibre will help the pregnant Women and you can acquire additional information about your entire pregnancy period in
Pregnancy Week by Week. The
Pregnant also experiences frequent urination tendency because the growing uterus exerts pressure on the urinary bladder. Finding a comfortable sleeping position becomes difficult because of the growing belly. Sleeping on the left side will be comfortable since it ensures unobstructed blood flow to all parts of the body. A reclining posture will help to counter backaches which are common due to the increasing
weight of the baby.
