you're 30 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 39.9 cm (15.7") · 1320 g (46.6 oz)
At 30 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 39.9 cm and 1320 g — Lanugo (fine body hair) starts shedding.
about the size of a…
Lanugo (fine body hair) starts shedding. The baby's brain develops folds and grooves for higher functions.
this week's highlights
- Lanugo sheds
- Brain folds form
- Eyes can track light
- Bone marrow makes red blood cells
how your baby looks
Skin is smooth and pink now; lanugo is mostly gone. The baby has chubby cheeks and a small layer of fat all over.
body in focus
- head
- Brain develops folds and grooves for higher-order thinking.
- body
- Red blood cells now produced in bone marrow.
- hands
- Hands can grasp finger or feet tightly.
- feet
- Kicks are sharp and noticeable.
what's happening in your body
You may feel the baby has less room. Movements shift from wide kicks to specific pokes, rolls, and stretches.
symptoms at 30 weeks
- Insomnia
- A crowded bladder, active baby, racing mind, and awkward positions gang up on sleep now. A wind-down routine and side-sleeping pillow set-up help; short daytime naps fill the gaps.
- Stronger Braxton Hicks
- Practice tightenings get noticeably firmer at this stage but remain irregular and settle with rest. Regular, painful, or intensifying tightenings before 37 weeks mean calling your midwife or doctor.
- Breathlessness and rib pressure
- The uterus is near its highest point relative to your lungs. Relief usually comes in the mid-to-late thirties weeks when the baby drops into the pelvis.
- Mood swings and pre-birth anxiety
- Worries about labour, the baby, and the life change ahead can loom large at night. Talking to your midwife is worthwhile if anxiety is affecting your daily life — support exists and asking is normal.
- Frequent urination returns
- Pressure on the bladder increases again as the baby grows and descends. Keep drinking water regardless — cutting fluids risks dehydration and does not help much.
- Itchy bump
- Skin is near maximum stretch. Moisturise freely, and remember that intense itching involving palms and soles needs a call to your midwife or doctor to rule out cholestasis.
gentle tips
- Pack the hospital bag and finalize the birth plan.
- Discuss pain management and birth preferences with your provider.
- Practice breath-work daily — useful in labor.
- Eat folate, iron, calcium, and protein-rich foods consistently.
- Talk to baby — the voice is recognized at birth.
your week 30 checklist
- Write down your birth preferences properly and bring them to your next appointment for discussion.
- Order or gather your hospital bag items so packing at week 35 is assembly, not shopping.
- Wash the first batch of newborn clothes and bedding in gentle detergent.
- Confirm who your emergency contacts and backup birth partner are if your first choice is unavailable.
what to expect next
Many babies turn head-down (cephalic) over the next month. Stay attentive to position checks at prenatal visits.
common questions at week 30
How big is the baby at 30 weeks?
At 30 weeks, the baby measures about 39.9 cm and weighs approximately 1320 g (39.9 cm (15.7") · 1320 g (46.6 oz)).
What is developing at 30 weeks?
Skin is smooth and pink now; lanugo is mostly gone. Brain develops folds and grooves for higher-order thinking. Key milestones this week include: Lanugo sheds; Brain folds form; Eyes can track light; Bone marrow makes red blood cells.
What symptoms are common at 30 weeks pregnant?
You may feel the baby has less room. Movements shift from wide kicks to specific pokes, rolls, and stretches.
What should I do at 30 weeks pregnant?
Many babies turn head-down (cephalic) over the next month. Pack the hospital bag and finalize the birth plan. Discuss pain management and birth preferences with your provider. Practice breath-work daily — useful in labor.
Should I worry that my baby is breech at 30 weeks?
Not yet — around a quarter of babies are breech at 30 weeks, and most turn head-down on their own by 36 weeks as they run out of room. Your midwife will keep checking position at each appointment. If your baby is still breech around week 36, your team will discuss options with you, including a manual turning procedure called ECV.
How do I tell Braxton Hicks from real contractions?
Braxton Hicks are irregular, usually painless, do not build in strength or frequency, and typically stop when you rest, move, or drink water. Real labour contractions become regular, last longer, get closer together, and grow stronger regardless of what you do. If you are before 37 weeks and getting regular or painful tightenings, call your midwife or maternity unit rather than waiting to be sure.
What helps with pregnancy insomnia in the third trimester?
The evidence-backed basics are a consistent wind-down routine, a cool dark room, limiting screens before bed, and a pillow arrangement that supports the bump and keeps hips stacked. Accept that broken sleep is partly physiological now and take short daytime naps without guilt. Avoid sleep medications and supplements unless your doctor has specifically approved them for pregnancy.
helpful tools
- Kick Counter
Daily kick counts are an important reassurance in the third trimester.
- Contraction Timer
Time contractions and track frequency when the moment comes.
- Hospital Bag
Curated packing checklist for labor and delivery.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.