Hell yeah — you made it to week 30!
You're in the home stretch, and your baby is growing fast. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening right now, what symptoms to take seriously, and what to knock off your to-do list this week.
What's happening with your baby at 30 weeks
Your baby is around 16 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds (1,360 grams) — roughly the size of a head of cabbage. That little kicking machine is busy beefing up with fat stores and perfecting their lung function, which will be critical once they arrive. You've got around 70 days to go.
How many months is 30 weeks pregnant? Thirty weeks is 7.5 months pregnant.
What you're feeling right now (and why)
With a 3-pound baby taking up serious real estate, everything in your abdomen is getting compressed. That means you may be dealing with:
- Constipation — your digestion has slowed way down
- Heartburn — stomach acid has nowhere to go but up
- Gas — your growing uterus is pressing on your intestines
None of this is fun, but it's all normal. Small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, and fiber-rich foods can help. Thanks, kid – remind them of this when they’re picking out your nursing home down the road.
Preeclampsia at 30 weeks:
This is important, so let's talk about it.
Preeclampsia affects roughly 5–8% of pregnancies. It happens when blood vessels constrict, causing blood pressure to rise — sometimes quickly and without much warning. Technically, it can show up any time after 20 weeks, but most cases develop after 34 weeks. That said, cases before 34 weeks tend to be more serious, so it's worth knowing the signs no matter where you are right now.
Watch for these symptoms and call your provider if you notice:
- Swelling of your hands, face, or around your eyes — some swelling is normal in pregnancy, but puffiness in the face and hands is worth flagging
- Sudden weight gain over 2 pounds in a week — rapid fluid retention can be a sign
- Nausea or vomiting that comes out of nowhere — especially in the second half of pregnancy
- Severe pain below your right ribs or in your right shoulder — this can signal liver involvement and should never be ignored
- Persistent or severe headaches — different from tension headaches; these tend to be intense
- Vision changes — blurry vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, temporary blindness, or sensitivity to light
Preeclampsia can escalate quickly, so don't wait to see if something passes. Call your OB or midwife the same day for any of these. [Read the full preeclampsia guide here for more details on diagnosis, treatment, and what happens if it's caught early.]
Your 30-week checklist
Get familiar with your gear before the baby arrives. Even if you're superstitious about setting up the nursery early, at minimum you should practice with your car seat, baby carrier, and sleep space now. Read the manual. Watch a YouTube tutorial. Wrangle that wrap carrier on a stuffed animal before you're trying to figure it out with a screaming, squirmy newborn at 2 a.m. Keep the boxes and tags on until you're ready — but know how things work.
Build your announcement list now. Draft your email or text announcement ahead of time so you can just fill in the name, weight, and time and hit send. This is especially wise if your partner might otherwise announce the state of your perineum to your entire office. [Need inspiration? Here are some birth announcement ideas.]
A note from Amy: I've been writing about pregnancy since 2010 and have gone through it twice myself. The preeclampsia section isn't meant to scare you — it's meant to make sure you know what to actually look for, because it's one of those things that can sneak up fast. Trust your gut, and don't downplay symptoms to avoid being "that patient." Good providers want to hear from you.
(Last Updated February 2026)
How are you feeling this week? Let me know here.
Leave a Comment