Pregnancy week 30 - baby's development and your body

Your baby’s brain is now developing rapidly, and the skin is gradually becoming thicker. Some babies start to position themselves head-down at this stage, but there’s still enough room for your baby to turn, so this might happen a bit later too.

Size

Your baby is about 40 cm or 15.7 inches long, from head to toe.

Weight

Approximately 1.32 kg or 2.9 lbs.

Fetal Development

All parts of your baby’s body and senses are now developed, and they can open their eyes.

Over the next few weeks, most babies will turn head-down in preparation for birth. However, there’s still plenty of space, so your baby may be head-up, head-down, or even sideways for now.

Although the lungs aren’t fully developed yet, your baby is already practicing breathing movements. The nervous system continues to mature, and your baby is also accumulating fat.

Babies born at this stage almost always survive with intensive care, and the risk of long-term complications is very low.

Your Body

As your belly continues to grow, things may start to feel a bit cramped as the uterus takes up more space. You might notice feeling more breathless, dealing with heartburn, and a general sense of heaviness, though this varies greatly from person to person.

Your breasts may start to leak colostrum, and swelling in your feet and ankles can become more noticeable. Contractions are also common now. Some people experience back pain from the added weight and strain, while pelvic pain after activity is also typical, as the hormone relaxin softens the cartilage joints in the pelvis to prepare for childbirth.

Skin discoloration can become more prominent, with darker nipples and a more noticeable “linea nigra”—a dark line extending from the pubic bone to just below the navel.

Your baby’s movements are now strong and distinct, with regular kicks and stretches that you may even see from the outside.