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30 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Your baby is gaining weight quickly, and the brain is making millions of connections.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby gains weight steadily from now on, adding fat that will help keep them warm after birth. The bone marrow has taken over making red blood cells. The brain is forming millions of new connections, and its surface is becoming more folded.
The fine body hair, lanugo, begins to fall away. Your baby's eyes can now focus a little, although newborns see best at about 20 to 30 cm, roughly the distance to a parent's face during a feed.
How you may be feeling
Tiredness often comes back. You may be uncomfortable, with heartburn, aches and trouble sleeping. Swollen ankles and haemorrhoids are common. Many people feel anxious about the birth or about becoming a parent as the date gets closer, and this is normal.
Your to-do list for week 30
- Talk about your birth preferences with your midwife, and write a birth plan if you would like to.
- Take rests during the day and ask for help with tasks.
- Go to antenatal classes and learn about pain relief options.
- If you will travel by car after the birth, check that your car seat fits your car.
When to ask for help
Tell your midwife if you feel low, worried or unable to enjoy things for more than a couple of weeks. Anxiety and depression are common in pregnancy and treatable.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: pregnancy weight gain calculator, baby shower planner, baby movement counter and hospital-bag checklist.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.