Pregnancy Week By Week

30 Weeks Pregnant: Development, Symptoms and Care

At 30 weeks pregnant, the third trimester can feel very different from day to day. Some days you may have energy for preparation; on others, getting comfortable is enough. Keep an eye on your baby’s movements and ask for help with symptoms that are affecting sleep or daily life.

Your baby’s development at 30 weeks

Your baby is adding fat beneath the skin, which is becoming smoother. The fine body hair called lanugo is beginning to reduce, although plenty may remain. Some babies suck their thumbs. Growth and development are still continuing, rather than finishing on a particular date.

Body changes and symptoms

Reflux and changing breast size can add to discomfort. Eating smaller meals and staying upright after eating may help heartburn. Ask a pharmacist or clinician which treatment is suitable if it continues; severe or persistent pain should be assessed rather than assumed to be reflux.

Interrupted sleep can leave you tired even after a full night in bed. Rest when you can and go to sleep on either side, including for daytime naps. If you wake on your back, simply turn onto your side. Tell your GP or midwife if poor sleep is affecting your ability to cope.

Movement is still important

Your baby should keep moving as pregnancy progresses. A reduction is not an expected result of having less room. There is no set kick count that every baby should meet.

If movement is weaker, less frequent or different from the usual pattern in a way that worries you, contact your maternity team immediately. Do not wait until morning, try a home Doppler or use food or drink to trigger movement. If your team is unavailable, attend a hospital maternity or emergency unit.

Your next antenatal visit

Your clinician will continue checking your blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia can develop without obvious symptoms, which is one reason regular appointments matter even when you feel well. Ask about results, medicines and the plan for any additional checks.

A severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or pain beneath the ribs needs immediate assessment. Do not first wait to see whether rest or pain medicine settles it. New or worsening breathlessness also needs prompt medical advice; severe breathing difficulty or chest pain means calling 000.

Check whether your whooping cough and RSV vaccination plans are up to date. If either has been missed, ask about timing rather than waiting for the next week-by-week milestone.

A practical job: the trip home

If your baby will travel by car, organise an approved rear-facing child restraint suitable for a newborn and make sure it is correctly fitted. A fitting service can help you check the installation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including if the seat needs to be moved.

You can also check the hospital entrance to use after hours and save the maternity unit’s number. These small arrangements are easier to make before you need them. Our prenatal care guide covers useful appointment questions.

When to seek medical help

In Australia, call 000 for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or collapse. Do not drive yourself if faint or very unwell.

Contact your GP, midwife or hospital immediately for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, fever, vomiting that prevents drinking, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or pain under your ribs. Regular or painful contractions, pelvic pressure or persistent lower back or abdominal pain before 37 weeks may be signs of early labour: call your maternity team and go to hospital. Seek urgent care if your usual team is unavailable.