Week 30: Lung Development
Week thirty is a time of active lung and respiratory system development.
Baby size: Cucumber (120-125 mm)
Baby development
Vision improves, and lanugo disappears
Your baby is becoming more and more like a newborn. His body rounds out thanks to fat accumulation.
What’s happening this week:
- Vision: He can already focus his gaze. After birth, he will see objects best at a distance of 20-30 cm — exactly the distance to your face while feeding.
- Lanugo: The fine hair that covered his body is gradually disappearing.
- Bone marrow: It has fully taken over the function of producing red blood cells.
- Position: The baby has less room for acrobatic tricks, so his movements may become less jerky but stronger.
Your fetus weighs about 1.3 kg, and his length is almost 40 centimeters.
Changes for mom
Fatigue, insomnia, and “nesting”
You may feel like a big, beautiful, but slightly unwieldy ship. That’s normal. Your body is doing a huge amount of work.
What you may notice:
- Insomnia: Searching for a comfortable position, frequent trips to the bathroom, and the baby’s activity can interfere with sleep.
- “Nesting” syndrome: You may develop an irresistible urge to clean, wash, organize, and prepare everything for the baby’s arrival.
- Mood swings: Anxiety and fatigue can cause emotional roller coasters.
- Shortness of breath: It may increase as the uterus presses on the diaphragm.
Comfortable sleep now is a true luxury. Learn more about how to improve it in the article "Sleep During Pregnancy".
Overview
Week 30: The baby is growing, and you are preparing
Week thirty! There are only about 10 weeks left until you meet your baby. He is actively gaining weight, accumulating fat that will help him after birth.
He is now the size of a large Chinese cabbage. His brain continues to develop, and his vision is improving. Although it’s dark in the womb, he can distinguish light and shadow and focus on nearby objects.
For you, this is a time when fatigue can become a constant companion. The growing belly puts strain on all body systems. It’s a period when it’s important to delegate duties, ask for help, and get plenty of rest.
Only 10 weeks left! This number can feel both large and small at the same time. Use this time to finish all preparations and mentally get ready for one of the most important events in your life.
You are on the home stretch. To know what to prepare for, read our detailed overview "Third Trimester: What You Need to Know".
Tips for mom
Listen to your body and finish tasks
Right now the main thing is to learn to recognize your body’s signals and not ignore them. Rest is not laziness, it’s a necessity.
What to do:
- Rest during the day. Even 15-20 minutes with your legs elevated can work wonders.
- Channel the “nesting” energy in the right direction. Pack baby items, prepare contacts, but avoid heavy physical work.
- Talk to your doctor about labor. Discuss your birth plan and ask about all procedures in the delivery room.
- Practice relaxation techniques. Meditation, deep breathing, and a warm bath can help cope with anxiety and insomnia.
It’s important to be ready for the most important day. Re‑read the article about signs of the start of labor to know what to look for.
Tips for partner
The main one for calm and support
Your role now is to be the rock that all waves of anxiety and fatigue from your partner crash against.
Your contribution to the joint effort:
- Encourage her to rest. Make sure she isn’t overexerting herself. Take on as many household chores as possible.
- Support her “nesting,” but keep the process in check. Help her, but don’t let her lift heavy objects or climb a ladder.
- Be patient with her mood. Hormones, fatigue, and anxiety make a powerful cocktail.
- Finalize the preparations. Ensure the car seat is installed, the bag is packed, and you have an action plan for “day X.”
Your confidence and calm are the best support. To be ready, check out our guide to birth preparation.
Checklist
Your action plan for week 30
Ten weeks until the start!
- ✅ Discuss your birth plan with the doctor.
- 😴 Try to sleep or rest during the day.
- 🧘♀️ Practice deep breathing techniques daily.
- 👶 Finish shopping for the baby.
- 🚗 Plan several routes to the delivery hospital, taking traffic into account.
- 📚 Refresh your knowledge about newborn needs by reading the article "Safe Sleep for Newborns".