§third trimester · week 30 of 40
you're 30 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 39.9 cm (15.7") · 1320 g (46.6 oz)
about the size of a cabbage.
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.
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.
what to expect next
Many babies turn head-down (cephalic) over the next month. Stay attentive to position checks at prenatal visits.