My 30 Weeks Pregnant Belly Picture
Starting Weight: 123lbs
Current Weight: 136lbs
Total Weight Gain: 13lbs
Now let’s go over how my week went and what to expect…
Energy Level: My energy level was so-so this week. My husband and I planned a relaxing babymoon at an all-inclusive resort which was much needed! We mostly relaxed at the beach in lounge chairs under beautiful palm trees and listened to great music.
Pregnancy symptoms: This week was challenging for me. I was experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions just about every day, which can be quite uncomfortable at times.
Also, my SI joint started bothering me, first on the left and then also on the right. I decided to add a few exercises to strengthen the muscles around this joint each time I went to the gym, and thankfully it seemed to help!
I also felt a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen, which I attribute to my baby being low in my pelvis. The pregnancy is starting to get quite uncomfortable. I even had some emotional moments of wanting my pre-pregnancy body back.
The glory days of the second trimester are over :(.
Thankfully, I haven’t experienced significant mood swings.
Other Physical Changes: Nothing new. I still have not seen any stretch marks or my linea nigra. I haven’t noticed any excessive swelling either.
My belly button is becoming more prominent, and my overall discomfort is increasing.
Diet: My diet was quite different this week as we were at an all-inclusive resort. The good news is, I was able to still eat a wide variety of fruits, steamed vegetables, veggie burgers, legumes, etc.
I rarely have desserts, but I did enjoy a few “treat meals,” including ice cream (only twice, lol), and a few other desserts like Tiramisu.
I did make sure to drink enough fluids throughout the day since we were outside in the sun a lot.
Diet Modifications: I do notice that I cannot eat as much food in one sitting, so I am eating smaller meals throughout the day.
Food Aversions: No food aversions this week.
Food Cravings: I did crave ice cream since it was in front of my face every single day 🙂
Workouts: I love the gyms at resorts! They are usually really nice and have a lot of cool equipment that I do not regularly have access to at home. I still did my four core lifts (squat, overhead press, bench, and deadlift). As I mentioned above, I also did a ton of accessory work, trying to strengthen the SI joint.
You can see examples of my entire pregnancy workout in my Prenatal Fitness Prescription.
Modifications to my workout: I had to modify some exercises because of equipment availability. Instead of using a barbell for the deadlift, I used dumbbells. Since the dumbbells were lighter than my prescribed weight, I performed the movement slower to keep the intensity high.
*Be sure to speak with your health care provider before doing any physical activity or heavy lifting in pregnancy.* As always, start with gentle exercises and listen to your body.
Here is a video of me at 30 weeks performing weighted hip abductions
Other Related Questions
How big should my bump be at 30 weeks?
At 30 weeks, your bump should be quite noticeable.
The top of your uterus, also known as your fundus, will measure approximately 30 centimeters from your pelvic bone, or pubic symphysis.
This measurement is known as your fundal height and will be measured at every prenatal visit to ensure your baby is growing normally.
With that said, not everyone’s bump will look the same, and you mustn’t compare yours to other pregnant women.
Here is what my bump looks like at 30 weeks:
What is my baby doing at 30 weeks?
At 30 weeks, your baby is undergoing rapid growth and development to prepare for the outside world.
Your baby is also producing meconium, which is their first poop. Meconium is typically black in color and has a very smooth consistency.
In addition to regular fetal movement, your baby may also be having hiccups. These hiccups can feel like repetitive rhythmic sensations in one area of your abdomen and serve to help your baby learn how to breathe once it’s outside of the womb.
Your baby’s muscles are also continuing to grow, so make sure you eat an adequate supply of protein in your diet.
What position is the baby at 30 weeks?
The position of your baby may still be variable at 30 weeks, but typically, it will start to make its way towards its final position.
The majority of babies are in the cephalic or vertex position during the third trimester, which means that they are head down.
Some babies may still be in the breech position, which is when the baby’s head is in the upper abdomen.
The other position your baby could be in is the transverse position. This is when your baby is lying horizontally, across your abdomen.
If your baby is still in the breech or transverse position, don’t get too worried as your baby still has time to find its way to the vertex position before the end of your pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider will likely do an ultrasound to check the position at each visit.
How long do babies sleep in the womb at 30 weeks?
Typically, when your baby is sleeping, you will not feel movements.
With that said, know that every baby is different.
Your baby might be very active at baseline or you may carry a baby that is not so active while awake.
Just make sure you are aware of the fetal kick count.
How often should your baby move at 30 weeks?
At 30 weeks, your baby should be moving approximately 10 times in 2 hours.
This is known as the fetal kick count, and your provider will ask about this at each prenatal visit.
You may also feel your baby move more often than 10 times in 2 hours, which is normal.
If you do not feel your baby moving for more than 1-2 hours, try drinking something sweet and going to a quiet room.
If you still do not feel your baby move, contact your provider as soon as possible.
How fast does a fetus grow after 30 weeks?
At 30 weeks and beyond your baby will be growing quite fast, gaining about a half pound per week!
What does a baby look like in the womb at 30 weeks?
At 30 weeks, your baby looks like a full-term baby, just smaller, weighing approximately 2lbs 10oz and measuring about 15.5-16 inches. They are about the size of cucumber or zucchini.
Is your baby fully developed at 30 weeks?
Yes, your baby is fully developed at 30 weeks; however, he or she will continue to grow, and their organ systems will continue to mature until 39 weeks gestation.
The main organ system that still needs maturation is the lungs. Believe it or not, your baby breathes in amniotic fluid, and this is what helps the lungs develop.
Your baby’s hearing is also improved significantly, so feel free to talk to them as often as you can :).
What should I be doing at 30 weeks pregnant?
At 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should be:
- Taking your daily prenatal vitamin
- Eating a well-balanced diet
- Drinking plenty of water
- Engaging in 150 minutes of exercise per week as per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (provided you don’t have any contraindications to exercise)
- Getting plenty of rest whenever possible (especially if you have trouble sleeping)
What should you not do at 30 weeks pregnant?
At 30 weeks of pregnancy you should not:
- Do any exercise or activity that has a high risk of falling
- Overexert yourself
- Exercise in a hot environment that elevates your body temperature
You must find a comfortable sleeping position and avoid being flat on your back. If you like to sleep on your back, place a small pillow under your right side to shift a bit to your left side.
30 weeks pregnant is how many months?
30 weeks pregnant is 7 months and 2 weeks.
You have almost completed 8 months of pregnancy!
Typical pregnancy symptoms at 30 weeks
At 30 weeks, your growing uterus will continue to exacerbate any symptoms of pregnancy you might be experiencing.
These include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Shortness of breath
- Leg cramps
- Lower back pain
- Upper abdomen discomfort near your rib cage
Anything else I should know?
At 30 weeks, it is important to continue following closely with your provider and pay attention to any new symptoms you may be developing.
Important things to look out for include:
- Symptoms of high blood pressure like headaches, changes in vision, chest pain
- Decreased fetal movement
- Vaginal bleeding
- Leakage of fluid
- Regular contractions that are painful (preterm labor)
In addition, be careful with your weight. Extra weight gain in the third trimester can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as a higher rate of c-section and preterm birth.
Lastly, this is also a good time to get your hospital bag together along with things for your newborn baby, such as:
- car seat,
- baby clothes,
- diapers, and
- somewhere for the baby to sleep like a crib or a bassinet
If you are interested in taking childbirth classes, now is a good time to start looking.
Final Words on 30 weeks Pregnancy
How does it feel to have reached the 30’s? We are officially 10 weeks away from your due date!
Was there anything you experienced this week that was new for you?
Are you still exercising?
Comment below and let me know!
Check back next week for my 31-week update as I enter the final weeks of my pregnancy!
My Other Weekly Updates
- My pregnancy bump at 27 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 28 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 29 weeks of gestation
Get Four Free Workouts To Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor & Heal Your Mommy Tummy!
Brittany Robles, MD, MPH, CPT
Brittany Robles is a full-time OBGYN physician, a NASM certified trainer, and a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal health with a special interest in exercise and nutrition. She is also the co-author of The White Coat Trainer. Learn more about her here.
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References:
- Suwanrath, C., & Suntharasaj, T. (2010). Sleep-wake cycles in normal fetuses. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 281(3), 449–454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1111-3
- Drehmer, M., Duncan, B. B., Kac, G., & Schmidt, M. I. (2013). Association of second and third trimester weight gain in pregnancy with maternal and fetal outcomes. PloS one, 8(1), e54704. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054704
You are so amazing!! I learn so much from you.
Can you share your detailed diet for a typical day during pregnancy?
Hi Beza!
Thank you so much for your comment!
I will definitely share this on my next post as many women have been asking for it!