At 30 weeks your baby weighs around 1.3 kg and has fine-tuned senses. Eyesight has improved enough to distinguish light and dark, and the brain is developing at breakneck pace. You have ten weeks or fewer to go.
Common symptoms at 30 weeks pregnant
- Vivid, sometimes anxiety-tinged dreams
- Insomnia or restless nights
- More noticeable Braxton-Hicks contractions
- Swelling of feet, ankles, and hands
- Round-the-clock reflux
Tips for week 30
- Continue daily kick counts. Ten movements within two hours during baby’s active window is the goal.
- Sleep on your left side with a wedge or full-body pillow — right-side sleeping is fine too, but never flat on your back for long.
- Practise your birth breathing techniques for five minutes before bed.
- Finish the hospital-bag list this week — one bag for you, one for baby, one for your partner.
This week's checklist
- Pack the hospital bag
- Install the car seat
- Confirm the birth-place tour
Frequently asked questions
When should swelling worry me?
Sudden facial swelling, one-sided leg swelling, or swelling with a bad headache, upper-abdominal pain, or blurred vision needs urgent review — these can signal pre-eclampsia.
How can I sleep better?
Cool the room to 18-20 °C, keep a nightly wind-down routine, sip water rather than chugging it before bed, and use a full-body pregnancy pillow.
Do I still need to take my iron?
Yes. Iron demand is highest in the third trimester. If your levels are low, your provider may add a supplement or IV iron.
When to call your provider
Most weeks of pregnancy pass without alarm, but a small set of symptoms always deserves urgent attention. Call your doctor or head to the nearest maternity emergency room straight away for any of the following:
- Heavy, bright-red vaginal bleeding or the passage of clots
- Severe headache with visual changes, upper-abdominal pain, or sudden facial swelling
- Any leaking of fluid before 37 weeks or a sudden gush of fluid at any week
- A clear drop in your baby’s usual pattern of kicks, or fewer than 10 movements in two hours during their active window
- Fever above 38 °C, painful urination, or one-sided calf swelling
Where week 30 sits in the third trimester
The third trimester begins at week 28 and ends at birth. Baby gains most of their weight now, senses sharpen, and your body prepares for labour with practice contractions and hormonal shifts. Sleep gets trickier and appointments become weekly by the end. Week 30 is one step closer to meeting your baby.
Educational content — not a substitute for medical care. Contact your obstetric provider urgently for heavy bleeding, severe headache with visual changes, one-sided leg swelling, upper-abdominal pain, reduced fetal movement, or any concern that feels wrong to you.