Welcome to week 30
You have roughly 10 weeks left to go (depending on when your baby arrives) – that's 77 days including this week!
Make sure you attend your regular antenatal appointments, as pre-eclampsia – a potentially serious complication of pregnancy – becomes more of a threat in later pregnancy. Most cases occur from 32 weeks, but your midwives will be on the alert for any signs and symptoms.
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Pre-eclampsia is usually detected through a urine test showing the presence of protein. The other key symptom is high blood pressure. If you develop the condition you'll be monitored and perhaps brought into hospital for bed rest until the symptoms are under control. You'll be closely watched throughout the rest of your pregnancy and may need to have your labour induced if the welfare of you or your baby is considered to be in danger. Don't be nervous: keep to your appointments and any signs of pre-eclampsia will be detected in good time for prompt treatment.
Inside story
Your baby tips the scales at around 1.35kg (3lb) this week and measures about 27cm (just over 10.5in) from crown to rump. Growth continues at about 1cm per week and the weight is piling on all the time to give your baby fat reserves to draw on at birth.
A scan at this stage would show the behaviour of a newborn as your baby indulges in more breathing practice; swallowing; thumb-sucking, hiccupping and blinking. Hiccups in your baby can be felt as a series of little jumps in your belly! There's about a litre of amniotic fluid still surrounding your baby, although this level will gradually diminish as space is at a premium. Your baby's lungs and digestive tract are almost fully.
On the outside
The top of your uterus is sitting about 10cm (4in) above your belly button this week. You still have more weight to gain: most mums-to-be will put on another 500g (1lb) a week from now until the end of pregnancy. You'll probably start to feel more tired in general during this final trimester, and this is partly down to increasing levels of progesterone in your body.
Mood swings become common – which is hardly surprising if you're not getting much or good quality sleep, but will also be in part down to hormonal fluctuations. Try to nap, but restrict yourself to 20-minute sessions during the day, as you'll wake up more tired than before if you allow yourself to descend into a deep sleep.
Things to think about
Start preparing your hospital bag - just in case you need to be admitted for any reason. You should also carry your hospital notes and bag with you if you go anywhere far afield in the car, so that in case of an emergency you'll have everything you and a new set of maternity practitioners will need. Read our list of what to pack in your hospital bag.
