What happens at 30 weeks of pregnancy

Body changes and new sensations for women

If we say that now mothers are enjoying their position to the fullest, we, of course, are lying.
Women at 30 weeks are very tired, every day it becomes more and more difficult for them to carry a child under their hearts. What to do? Learn to ignore difficulties and prepare yourself for the fact that the third trimester will soon end, and a meeting with your beloved baby awaits you ahead! Continue to monitor your health during the 30th week and follow all the safety measures necessary during this period. In particular, avoid resting on your back. Otherwise, you risk causing yourself compression syndrome by the uterus of the inferior vena cava, which runs along the right side of the spine. This may result in headaches, dizziness, or a feeling of shortness of breath. Another consequence of the syndrome is an increase in blood pressure in the veins of the lower extremities, as well as in the hemorrhoidal veins located under the skin near the anus, which leads, accordingly, to varicose veins of the legs and hemorrhoids. So how to sleep during pregnancy? Remember: the expectant mother can only rest on her side, preferably on the left.

It is possible and it is not possible

At week 30, a woman should continue to treat herself carefully and carefully. There are some recommendations that, if followed, can avoid many negative consequences:

• strict adherence to the gynecologist’s prescriptions, timely completion of the necessary tests;
• complete abstinence from alcohol, nicotine, and drugs;
• minimal contact with household and construction chemicals;
• compliance with food and drinking regimes;
• refusal of harmful products and semi-finished products;
• control over the daily routine: sleep - 8 hours at night, during the day as needed, meals - 5-6 times a day in fractional portions, physical activity and walks outside - daily;
• change body position every 20 minutes when working while sitting, rest during physical activity - every 60 minutes;
• control of body hygiene;
• maintaining order and cleanliness at home;
• performing household tasks allowed for pregnant women. Do not hang curtains on your own, do not move furniture, do not come into contact with complex chemical compounds;
• minimal contact with sick people;
• maintaining calm and good mood.

From the 30th week it is recommended to begin the process of preparing for childbirth. Recommended:

• train your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises;
• study breathing exercises necessary during childbirth;
• attend special courses for expectant mothers at the clinic.

Sex

Sex at 30 weeks is an important element of a marital relationship. If the doctor has not issued a direct ban on intimate life, then if you feel well, communication is not only possible, but also useful.

It is recommended to follow some safety precautions:

• choose positions that are comfortable for a pregnant woman, eliminating pressure on the abdomen and severe tension;
• avoid too active movements and deep penetrations;
• try to use a condom to avoid early cervical ripening.

Weight gain

The optimal weight gain for women of normal build in the second half of pregnancy is about 250–300 g per week. Total weight gain at the end of week 30 is approximately 9.3 kg. Did you score more? Don’t worry, don’t try to lose weight on your own and don’t go on a diet (this can harm your baby!), but be sure to consult with your doctor - he may prescribe special fasting days for you during pregnancy. Did you score less? Don’t be upset either - as a rule, this is typical for women who are overweight to the point of “interesting position”. This state of affairs, however, does not exclude the need to consult with a good specialist as soon as possible and, if necessary, take the necessary measures to improve your condition.

Frequently asked questions on the forums

1:

Q: I’m 30 weeks pregnant, my tooth hurts a lot, can it be treated?

A: Yes, teeth can be treated. Now there are completely safe methods of anesthesia. It is not recommended to remove teeth at this time. If possible, it is better to wait until childbirth.

2:

Q: Why does my belly button hurt (at 30 weeks)?

A: The navel can hurt for various reasons. The most common and harmless of them is weakness of the abdominal muscles, which simply cannot cope with the load placed on them. This pain is not accompanied by any other symptoms. The problem can be solved with the help of a bandage. If the pain in the navel is sharp and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, constipation, this may mean the presence of a hernia. As a rule, it is easily palpable. In this case, you should immediately call a doctor.

3:

V.: 30 weeks of pregnancy. I can’t sleep on my side, the baby starts kicking as if he’s uncomfortable, what should I do?

A: Buy a special pillow for pregnant women; it will help you take the correct position so that the load on the muscles is minimal, and at the same time the baby is comfortable inside. You can also try sleeping in a reclining position, but just reclining, and not lying on your back or sitting. This position helps many women in later stages.

Mom's belly

The belly continues to increase at 30 weeks, which is associated with active growth of the fetus. Because of her belly, mom becomes clumsy, not only her figure changes, but also her gait. Moving (walking, sitting down, climbing stairs, bending over, getting out of bed) now needs to be done with great caution - sudden movements can cause painful sensations. It is difficult to say exactly what size the belly should be at 30 weeks: the concept of “normal” in this matter is very relative; for a doctor in a antenatal clinic, the main indicator is the growth of the abdomen over time.

Tests and ultrasound

At week 30, it is time for the third planned ultrasound scan during pregnancy. Ultrasound at this stage allows you to examine parts of the baby’s body and its organs, assess the condition of the placenta, trace the possible entanglement of the umbilical cord of the fetus, determine low or polyhydramnios, and the position of the child in the uterus. Additionally, at this time, doctors can prescribe Doppler ultrasound (lately it has been recommended to almost all mothers) - this is a type of ultrasound diagnostics, a method that allows you to assess the state of blood flow in the vessels of the child, uterus and placenta. At week 30, the now “traditional” general urine test for a pregnant woman is also maintained.

Fetal development

Throughout the 3rd trimester, the baby actively increases body weight due to muscle and fat tissue. Weight and height at 30 weeks of pregnancy average 1.3 kg and 39 cm. He is already a bit cramped in his mother’s belly, and his movements may even bring you discomfort.

Organs and systems continue to improve:

• eyes can focus, see nearby objects and respond to light;
• its own thermoregulation system works;
• the skin smooths out, becomes less red and wrinkled;
• the immune and respiratory systems are fully formed;
• convolutions and grooves continue to form in the brain;
• The normal heart rate is 140-160 beats per minute.

How does the baby lie in the womb?

Usually, by 32-34 weeks, the fetus takes a position that it will retain until birth - head down. If he turns his buttocks towards the cervix, this makes natural childbirth difficult, and in some cases makes it impossible. But breech presentation of the fetus at 30 weeks of pregnancy is not a pathology, it’s too early to worry. The baby still has time to turn over. You can help him by doing special exercises.

Sex at 30 weeks pregnant

In the third trimester, special attention should be paid to intimate perineal massage, which will reduce the likelihood of ruptures during childbirth. Of course, the expectant mother is able to perform such a procedure on her own, but it is much more pleasant when a partner does it for the woman. Intimate massage for pregnant women, in the absence of medical contraindications, will be an excellent prelude to sex. But remember: love games at 30 weeks should not be particularly passionate and too “violent” imagination - you don’t want to give birth ahead of time! You need to massage the intimate area (your fingers at this moment should be at a depth of about 3 cm in the vagina) for about 2 minutes. Before starting the procedure, mix several oils, in particular, St. John's wort and wheat germ oils - this will make the touch more sensual (you can also use olive oil and even sunflower oil). In this matter, it is unnecessary to recall the rules of personal hygiene that both a man and a pregnant woman must observe.

Interesting Facts

Your baby is the size of

melon

390mm Size

1300 g Weight

Your pregnancy is 30 weeks old, the development of the fetus and your feelings during this period depend on whether you manage to get enough sleep and restore your strength, because your body is currently under enormous stress. Let's find out what happens to the baby and the expectant mother during this period, but first let's focus on calculating the duration of pregnancy.

Lifestyle

The time has come when you can and should prepare for childbirth. In particular, it is necessary to activate the muscles that make it easier for the baby to move through the birth canal. In this regard, a set of exercises developed by the American gynecologist Arnold Kegel is very effective. The point of Kegel exercises for pregnant women is to alternately tense and relax the muscles of the perineum. First of all, we are talking about the pubococcygeus muscle. Finding it in yourself is quite simple: when you want to go to the toilet “in a small way”, sit on the toilet, spread your legs and begin the “process”. As you go, try to stop the stream without moving your legs. You yourself will feel which muscle will tense the most - you need to work with it. The pubococcygeus muscle should be squeezed and unclenched in any position (about 10 repetitions) at least 5 times a day.

Transverse position of the fetus

At up to 34–35 weeks of gestation, the oblique or transverse position of the fetus is considered unstable, since it can independently change to longitudinal. When diagnosing the transverse position of the fetus, a complete gynecological examination of the pregnant woman is required to identify the causes of the anomaly, choose tactics for further pregnancy management and the method of delivery.

At 30-34 weeks of pregnancy, corrective gymnastics may be prescribed to help turn the fetus into a cephalic presentation. Special sets of exercises are indicated in the absence of signs of a threatened miscarriage, uterine scar, fibroids, bleeding, decompensated heart defects in a pregnant woman, etc. and are carried out under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist observing the woman. Also, if the fetus is in a transverse position, it is recommended that the pregnant woman lie more time on her side, corresponding to the position being determined.

After 35-36 weeks of gestation, the fetus assumes a stable position, therefore, while maintaining the transverse position, the pregnant woman is hospitalized in the maternity hospital to determine delivery tactics.

The method of external rotation to the head - changing the transverse position of the fetus using external techniques is currently practically not used. This is due to the low efficiency of rotation, since if the reasons are not eliminated, the fetus often returns to a transverse position. In some cases, external rotation can result in serious consequences: placental abruption, uterine rupture, fetal hypoxia.

The optimal method of delivery for patients with a transverse fetal position is a planned cesarean section. Absolute indications for surgical delivery are post-term pregnancy, the presence of placenta previa, premature rupture of amniotic fluid, scars on the uterus, and the development of fetal hypoxia. If the fetus is in an advanced transverse position with prolapse of its arm or umbilical cord, it is unacceptable to reposition the prolapsed parts.

In the case of complete dilatation of the cervix, the fetus is determined to be alive and is mobile, it is possible to rotate the fetus onto its stem and then extract it. However, the prognosis for the fetus in this case is less favorable. Rotation and natural childbirth are justified in case of prematurity or twin births, when one fetus occupies a transverse position.

In the situation of a long anhydrous interval, complicated by the development of an infectious process, and the viability of the fetus after a cesarean section, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and drainage of the abdominal cavity are performed. If the fetus is dead, a fetal-destroying embryotomy operation is performed.

Beauty and accessories

During pregnancy, the legs suffer greatly, as they bear a “double load”! Special compression tights for expectant mothers will help your legs - wearing them is rightfully considered one of the most effective ways to prevent varicose veins, as well as heaviness in the legs and swelling while waiting for the baby. Compression tights are made from medical knitwear; they do not compress the stomach and waist and are perfect for everyday wear. You can buy them at the pharmacy. However, before purchasing, we recommend that you consult with a specialist.

Recommendations for the expectant mother

Despite the fact that the child is already fully formed, premature birth at this stage can result in developmental disorders in the future. Therefore, a pregnant woman needs to follow a number of recommendations:

1. Regularly visit the residential complex and take the necessary tests. Based on urine and blood tests, you can notice the first signs of gestosis, as well as anemia, which can result in fetal hypoxia.
2. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. You should not self-medicate or use traditional medicine, as this may lead to negative consequences.
3. Take care of your body. The use of special moisturizers will help prevent the appearance of stretch marks. When releasing colostrum, you can use special breast pads.
4. Don't ignore visiting specialists. If you have a toothache, visit the dentist. If you have vision problems, be sure to undergo a re-examination by an ophthalmologist.
5. Avoid long trips. Prolonged sitting puts stress on the cervix, which can begin to shorten ahead of schedule. Air travel can cause a drop in pressure, which can trigger premature birth.
6. Limit fluid intake before bed. This will help reduce the amount of swelling in the morning.
7. Perform drainage exercises. They help relieve the load of the growing uterus on the kidneys and blood vessels of the lower extremities.
8. It is better to sleep on your left side. This reduces the load of the uterus on the spine, inferior vena cava, and internal organs.

For all questions regarding future trips and workloads, you should definitely consult a gynecologist.