30 weeks pregnant
The 30th week of pregnancy opens the eighth month from the moment conception took place, and the long-awaited meeting with the baby is getting closer. At this time, the child continues to actively develop and gain weight, so the third trimester is no less important in terms of ensuring that the baby is born healthy. As a rule, a woman is already on maternity leave at this time, which means that she has more time to prepare for the upcoming birth.
Content:
- Childbirth at 30 weeks gestation
- Fetal development at 30 weeks gestation
- What tests need to be done at 30 weeks of pregnancy?
- Do I need to undergo an ultrasound scan?
- What happens to the stomach?
- What happens to the uterus?
- Sensations
- Causes of pain that occurs at 30 weeks of gestation
- Weight at 30 weeks
- Nutritional features at week 30
- What can be the discharge at 30 weeks?
- Intimate life at the 30th week of pregnancy
- What dangers can lie in wait at 30 weeks?
- Important recommendations
- Answers to popular questions
Childbirth at 30 weeks gestation
Labor that begins at 30 weeks gestation is not timely. Nevertheless, children who were born at this time survive in almost 100% of cases. Although, of course, it would be nice for the baby to stay for a few more weeks in the mother's stomach.
A child at 30 weeks already has a formed respiratory system, all his organs can function independently outside the mother's body. His eyes open, the intestines are able to digest the first food, the kidneys excrete urine.
Naturally, a child cannot survive without qualified help from doctors and without special equipment. However, with the timely treatment of a woman to the hospital, labor at 30 weeks of gestation is completed successfully.
Fetal development at 30 weeks gestation
Every day the child gains weight and grows little by little. Its body length is already approaching 40 cm, and its total weight is about 1500 kg. And now the baby's body weight is made up of, among other things, subcutaneous fat, which is constantly accumulating.
A surfactant begins to be produced in the lungs. It is needed so that the alveoli do not stick together during inhalation. However, the respiratory system of the baby is not yet perfect.
In the brain, the convolutions and grooves become more prominent, nerve cells begin to function. The nerve fibers are gradually covered by the myelin sheath.
The baby's skin becomes smooth, wrinkles and lanugo (original fluff) disappear. Although often children born on time remain covered with vellus hairs, which gradually disappear. There is nothing wrong with that. The protective lubricant still covers the body of the fetus.
At this time, the liver continues to work actively, it accumulates iron, which will provide the child's blood with red blood cells.
A baby's heart beats very often compared to an adult's heart rate. Moreover, girls have more beats per minute than boys.
The baby becomes more and more cramped in the mother's abdomen, as the uterus cannot stretch indefinitely. Most often, at 30 weeks, the fetus is already in the position in which it will be born. Normally, the child is positioned with his buttocks up, and his head is pressed against the woman's pelvic bones.
Since there is little room in the uterus for active movements, the baby behaves more calmly than before. All women celebrate this. In the event that he continues to make sharp and strong shocks, the expectant mother should show concern and inform the doctor about it.
Surprisingly, the baby can already smile, yawn, frown, blink. His eyes are open, so he perceives bright light and gives a reaction to it.
What tests need to be done at 30 weeks of pregnancy?
The woman still visits the doctor once every two weeks, but soon she will have to increase her visits to the doctor. If a trip to the gynecologist was planned at week 30, he will give directions for standard tests: a general blood and urine test.
Also, during a visit to the doctor, you need to prepare for the fact that a smear for flora, blood for HIV and for Rh factor will be taken. Naturally, the doctor will control the woman's blood pressure, measure the circumference of her abdomen and the height of the bottom of the uterus. With the help of a special tube, the doctor listens to the fetal heartbeat and manually tries to determine its position.
Do I need to undergo an ultrasound scan?
Provided that the pregnancy has a normal course, ultrasound is not prescribed for this period. It is most often planned at 32 weeks of gestation. Although it is possible that the doctor can give a referral right now.
The purpose of ultrasound is to monitor the child's condition. The specialist assesses the development of the fetus, the quality and volume of amniotic fluid, the degree of maturity of the placenta, specifies how the baby is located in the uterus. At the same time, fetal pathologies such as heart disease, intestinal and urinary tract obstruction can be detected.
To assess the uteroplacental and fetoplacental blood flow, a woman may be referred for Doppler ultrasonography.
What happens to the stomach?
It is quite logical that the belly at this stage of pregnancy becomes quite large. This is reflected in his skin. She is now very tense, which increases the risk of stretch marks. To minimize it, you need to use special moisturizers or vegetable oils (almond, olive, coconut oil). The abdominal muscles are also severely stretched and weakened.
The center of gravity shifted to the stomach makes a woman clumsy, so she needs to be especially careful. For example, you should not suddenly get out of bed, it is better to first roll over to one side and then raise your torso.
What happens to the uterus?
By this time, the uterus rises above the navel by more than 10 cm. The distance to the pubis increases to 30 cm.
At this time, the uterus begins to prepare for the upcoming birth through rhythmic contractions. They can cause minor pain and tension in the abdomen. These first contractions are called training or Braxton-Higgs contractions. Such contractions of the uterus do not lead to childbirth and do not pose any threat.
It is important to be able to distinguish training fights from real ones. So, real contractions will be accompanied by severe painful sensations, possibly the appearance of discharge with blood, discharge of amniotic fluid and other signs of impending labor. In this case, it is impossible to hesitate to call the ambulance brigade.
As for the training contractions, they go away very quickly on their own, do not tend to intensify and do not cause severe pain. In order to eliminate them, it is enough just to walk around the room or change the position of the body.
Sensations
Feelings of a woman at 30 weeks pregnant can be very diverse. For example, the expectant mother begins to pursue heartburn and belching. Constipation, increased urination, and shortness of breath may develop. All this is due to the fact that the enlarged uterus presses not only on the diaphragm, but also on the intestines and the bladder.
At the same time, the woman feels joy that very soon she will become a mother, and now a new life is ripening inside her. At the same time, the baby does not allow himself to be forgotten, as he constantly moves. However, the nature of his movements is changing. If earlier he freely swam inside the uterus, now he can only turn and push. Therefore, the woman clearly feels the movements of the elbows, heels and knees of the child.
It is important to track the movements of the crumbs, since they are one of the main signs of his well-being. The fetus may show increased activity when exposed to bright light on the stomach, or when loud sounds. Increased movement can be a signal that the baby is not getting enough oxygen. A prolonged “lull” in the stomach can also be considered a negative sign.
Therefore, it is so important to track the number of movements of the crumbs. Normally, there should be about 6 of them per hour, and at least 24 per day.
Causes of pain that occurs at 30 weeks of gestation
Painful sensations at 30 weeks can indicate both the normal course of pregnancy and pathology. Therefore, you need to listen to your body and understand what it signals.
- Lumbar pain and back pain are the result of increased stress on them. In addition, the center of gravity is shifted, the ligaments gradually soften. Therefore, it is not surprising that some discomfort occurs in the back area. To reduce the degree of its severity, it is necessary to monitor your posture, perform feasible physical exercises, and give high-quality unloading to the spine.
- Pain in the intestinal area can be triggered by indigestion, for example, due to inaccuracies in nutrition. Therefore, it is so important to stop eating foods that can provoke increased gas formation. For this purpose, it is recommended to limit grapes, confectionery, legumes, cabbage.
- Mild abdominal pain can be caused by training contractions.
- A woman may have a headache. This is due to the changes taking place in her body. To reduce unpleasant symptoms, do not immediately resort to taking medications. First you just need to lie down to rest. If the headache persists, then you need to consult a doctor and find out what drug can be used to eliminate it. In order to prevent headaches, it is recommended to rest more, go to bed in a pre-ventilated room, and walk in the fresh air.
In addition to pain at the 30th week of pregnancy, a woman may begin to worry about edema. If they are weak, you can try limiting salt and fluid intake. It is recommended to drink no more than 1.5 liters of water per day. It is important to exclude from the diet dishes that can provoke thirst - these are spicy, fried, pickled, fatty foods, as well as sweet carbonated water.
To reduce the severity of edema, you need to rest more often with your legs raised up. It is important not to spend a long time in a static position (not to stand or sit for a long time).
If the swelling does not go away throughout the day, and even more so, it is necessary to visit a doctor. It is possible that they are the first sign of preeclampsia. This condition poses a threat to the health of both the woman and the child.
Weight at 30 weeks
Normal weight gain from conception to 30 weeks of gestation is 11 kg. Body weight is made up of the weight of the fetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, blood, etc. Ideally, a woman should have gained no more than 16-17 kg during pregnancy. In this case, the process of childbirth will be much easier, and the course of pregnancy will not be complicated by unnecessary problems. Therefore, it is so important to regularly monitor your weight and adhere to the principles of proper nutrition.
Nutritional features at week 30
A woman should build her menu in such a way that it covers the needs of her body and the body of the child growing inside. The daily diet must be enriched with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates.
It is worth giving preference to such products as cottage cheese, vegetables, fruits, cereals, berries, fermented milk drinks, seafood, fish, lean meat. All products based on white flour, sweets, and baked goods are subject to a strict restriction. Also, do not get too carried away with cabbage, grapes, legumes, freshly baked bread.
You can not risk your health and eat foods that have not undergone proper heat treatment. It is imperative to boil both milk and water. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be thoroughly washed, meat and fish must be boiled well.
Do not get carried away with foods that can provoke an allergic reaction. For example, this can include nuts, honey, caviar, eggs, chocolate, etc.
What can be the discharge at 30 weeks?
If a woman's discharge has a milky hue, a uniform consistency and a slightly sour smell, but has become slightly more abundant, then this is a variant of the norm. They should be free of mucus, foam, clots, pus and other foreign matter. If they appear, then you need to see a doctor. Most often, a change in the nature of the discharge indicates the addition of an infection that requires immediate treatment.
When blood appears in the discharge, there should be no delays in calling an ambulance. And it doesn't matter if a woman is bleeding profusely or not. Bloody discharge indicates various pathologies of pregnancy, ranging from premature birth to placental abruption.
Massive drainage of water, or their leakage, also requires an ambulance call and hospitalization. If the amniotic fluid comes out in small portions, then this indicates depletion of the placenta, and if the water is abundant, then the onset of premature labor.
Intimate life at the 30th week of pregnancy
Intimate life at the 30th week of pregnancy is not prohibited if there are no medical recommendations on this matter. However, both partners should be careful, if only for the reason that with too intense movements, the child can roll over and take a breech or lateral presentation. It is equally important to give up those positions that involve pressure on the abdomen.
What dangers can lie in wait at 30 weeks?
- At this time, a Rh-conflict may occur, which threatens the health of the child and mother. Therefore, during its development, one should not refuse to introduce a special injection.
- It is possible that placental abruption may develop. Therefore, when bloody discharge appears, it is necessary to call an ambulance brigade.
Important recommendations
- A woman's menu should not contain foods that can provoke bloating or indigestion.
- During the night's rest, do not roll over onto your back. At this time, a woman should only sleep on her side.
- All movements of a woman should be measured in order to avoid injury.
- Massage will help improve blood flow, reduce swelling and relieve tension from the legs. It is good if the back is massaged in parallel.
- At the 30th week of pregnancy, you should always have a medical record and other documents at hand for a trip to the hospital.
Answers to popular questions
- I am 30 weeks pregnant, can I have a 3D ultrasound at this time? This study is absolutely safe for the child, therefore, at this time it is quite possible to perform it and take a photo for memory.
- Is increased discharge at 30 weeks pregnant normal? The discharge may become more abundant compared to previous periods of pregnancy, which is a variant of the norm. However, if their smell, color or consistency changes, then this will indicate an infection. In this case, you need to contact your gynecologist.
- Can you have sex at 30 weeks pregnant? If there are no medical contraindications to intimate life, then it is allowed to have sex during this period. However, it is important to relinquish any pressure on the abdomen and excessive movements.
- Can the position of the fetus change at 30 weeks of gestation if I have been diagnosed with breech presentation? To change the position of the child in the uterus for such a long period, it is necessary to perform special exercises. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor on this matter.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
