SSW 30

1. Week 30 - which month is it?

In the 30th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother is in the middle of the 8th month and therefore in the third and final trimester of her pregnancy.

The weeks of pregnancy are counted from the first day of the last menstrual bleeding (post menstruationem or p.m.). The common notation in medicine refers to the completed weeks of pregnancy and the completed days (0-6) of the current week of pregnancy. This means, for example, that a pregnant person who is on day 1 of the 30th week of pregnancy would be referred to as Week 29+0.

According to this calculation, a pregnancy lasts around 280 days in total, i.e. 40 weeks. If you were to calculate correctly from the moment of fertilization, it would be 38 weeks.

2. Week 30 – Size and weight of the baby

The height of the fetus (the term used to describe the unborn child from the 11th week of pregnancy) is 40 cm in the 30th week of pregnancy. Another 10 cm will be added before birth. The baby's movements can now be felt more clearly due to its size. Complaints such as stretched ligaments or back pain can also increase due to fetal growth. It is therefore important to pay attention to your own posture and possibly seek physiotherapy. During this week, the lanugo hair, the fine down of the fetus' hair, also begins to fall out, while the hair on the head becomes thicker.

In the 30th week of pregnancy, the fetus weighs around 1300 to 1400 grams. As the average birth weight is 3 to 3.5 kg, the weight of the fetus will more than double in the remaining 10 weeks.

The following curve provides an overview of the weight development:

3. Fetal position in week 30

The fetal position - i.e. how the fetus lies in the amniotic sac - can vary in the 30th week of pregnancy. Many babies turn their heads down into the birth position in week 30. However, if this does not happen yet, there is no need to worry as there is enough time to turn.

The proportion of pregnant women with a breech presentation (when the fetus' rump points downwards towards the birth canal) is 18% in first pregnancies in the 28th to 30th week of pregnancy, and only 3% at the due date. This is because in the majority of cases, turning is achieved spontaneously or can be achieved with the help of professionally performed turning techniques.

4. Activity of the baby in week 30

In the 30th week of pregnancy, the baby's movements can already be very pronounced. The time of day also has an influence on activity: the frequency of fetal movements increases from morning to evening, although it is usually highest late at night. Many women report an increase in movements in the two weeks before birth.

The movements include the trunk (e.g. bending, stretching, hiccups, breathing, rotation), the limbs (e.g. stretching, hand to face, opening and closing the hands) and the head and face (e.g. turning the head, sucking, yawning, pushing the tongue forward).

5. Interesting facts about the mother in week 30

5.1 Weight gain

Weight gain during pregnancy is around 10-16 kg. However, this varies depending on the woman's initial weight. You can find more detailed information in our article on nutrition during pregnancy.

5.2 Cervix

The cervix usually only opens in the opening period at the due date. In women giving birth for the first time, the cervix opens by around one centimeter per hour to a total of 10 cm during the opening contractions. In women who have already given birth, this can happen much faster. In addition to the opening of the cervix, the cervix shortens during childbirth.

Whether the cervix is already shortened in the run-up to the due date can be determined by the treating doctor using screening examinations. This is done with the help of a so-called transvaginal ultrasound in the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy - but is not routinely performed.

5.3 Abdomen

It becomes more difficult in the 30th week of pregnancy. The belly now gets in the way of almost everything. Pregnant women gain another 400 to 450 grams per week. The individual abdominal circumference can vary greatly.

6. Complaints and symptoms in week 30 

6.1 Complaints in the abdominal area & lower abdomen

Around half of all pregnant women suffer from back pain. The pain can have various causes. One factor is of course the weight gain, as a pregnant woman carries a 10 kilogram backpack around with her for weeks. In addition, the statics of the spine change during pregnancy. Pregnant women often unintentionally hunch their backs. This has consequences for weight support. The reduced fluid content of the intervertebral discs and the hormone-induced increased mobility of the sacroiliac joint (an important joint in the pelvis) can also play a role in the development of pain.

Pain can also occur over the symphysis (the cartilaginous connection of the pelvic ring) and radiating pain in the sciatic region. The former can manifest itself as pressure or stinging in the pubic area or a slight pulling sensation in the abdomen. The sciatic pain radiates from the back to the legs. Both are harmless in most cases, but should be discussed with the doctor treating you.

Pain in the abdominal region is also common. This can be a feeling of a hard abdomen, pressure in the abdomen or a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. These complaints are also usually unpleasant, but are not serious side effects. Here, too, it is nevertheless advisable to talk to the doctor treating you.

6.2 Skin changes and itching

Skin changes and itching are also common. From the third month onwards, acne-like skin changes can occur on the face, which usually disappear after the birth. Reddish stretch marks occur in 60-90% of all pregnant women - usually on the breasts, stomach or hips. Regular creaming and massaging helps here. The stretch marks fade over time.

Itching during pregnancy is not uncommon, but poses no danger to mother or child. Depending on the location, lotions or antihistamines can help. This can be discussed with the treating doctor in individual cases.

6.3 Bleeding

During pregnancy, a series of adaptation processes take place in the mother's body so that the pregnancy can be successfully carried to term and the child is well cared for.

Increased production of clotting factors leads to an bigger tendency to clot and therefore an increased risk of thrombosis. Especially for women whose risk of thrombosis was already increased before pregnancy, medically prescribed thrombosis prophylaxis may be advisable.

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common and requires immediate medical clarification. In these cases, a diagnosis can be made with laboratory tests and imaging, which ideally gives the all-clear.

6.4 Nausea, stomach and intestines

Gastrointestinal complaints are often part of pregnancies. Nausea and vomiting affect 80% of all pregnant women. Between 40 and 85% suffer from heartburn. Persistent constipation is also a regular occurrence.

All these symptoms are easily treatable. In the case of frequent vomiting, it is important to consult your doctor in order to avoid secondary problems such as pronounced electrolyte imbalances.

7. Risks in week 30

In general, a pregnancy can be divided into embryogenesis and fetogenesis. While the individual organs of the growing child must still be formed by the 8th week (embryogenesis), the focus from the 9th week is on the maturation of the organism (fetogenesis).

In the 30th week of pregnancy, the child's organism is already relatively mature, which is why doctors have more options available and a premature caesarean section can be performed if necessary.

7.1 Premature birth

Before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy, a fetus is considered premature. Thanks to today's medical advances, fetuses born between the 24th and 26th week of pregnancy also have a good chance of survival.

8. What you should look out for in week 30

8.1 Visits to the doctor

The aim of prenatal care is to examine and advise pregnant women and to detect problems and complaints at an early stage. The third ultrasound examination is scheduled between the 29th and 32nd week of pregnancy, during which the baby's development, the placental position and the amount of amniotic fluid are checked.

Up to the 32nd week of pregnancy, check-ups should take place every four weeks. After that, an interval of two weeks is recommended. In the case of a high-risk pregnancy or existing complications, more frequent examinations may be advisable.

In preparation for the birth, a birth preparation course and the choice of place of birth are recommended. Pregnant women are free to choose their doctor. Close networking between the doctor, midwife and chosen hospital or maternity clinic is helpful.

8.2 Food & nutrition

Experts emphasize the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy. The additional energy requirement increases by around 500 kcal per day in the third trimester. You can find everything you need to know about nutrition during pregnancy here.

8.3 Sleeping position

The large belly makes lying down problematic. The most comfortable position is lying on your side, on your left side - this relieves pressure on the organs and the large vena cava that transport blood back to the heart. Otherwise the fetal oxygen supply could be impeded and pregnant women may feel dizzy or nauseous. Palpitations are also a possible consequence. A small pillow under the belly can provide additional comfort. A prone position can be unfavorable as the abdominal girth increases - for reasons of comfort.

8.4 Travel

Traveling during pregnancy is possible as long as a few things are taken into account. Due to the risk of radiation, long-haul flights should be avoided before the 12th week of pregnancy. The best time to travel is between the 14th and 28th week of pregnancy, because the closer you get to your due date, the higher the frequency of check-ups. Especially from the 30th week of pregnancy, longer trips should be carefully planned and discussed with your doctor. Some airlines require a medical certificate from the 28th week of pregnancy.

Vaccinations and information about the medical care situation at your destination are important. Pregnant women should have a first-aid kit, their vaccination record and their maternity record with them. Insurance and possible repatriation should be clarified. For long flights, it is worth discussing the increased risk of thrombosis and any other individual factors with the doctors treating you.

8.5 Sport

Regular physical activity is also recommended in the third trimester, provided there are no medical contraindications. Suitable sports include swimming, yoga or moderate walking. These can help to alleviate pregnancy symptoms and promote well-being.

You can find everything else you need to know about exercise during pregnancy here.