Pregnancy Week 30

PREGNANCY WEEK 30

By this week your baby looks like a newborn, His hands and feet, including his fingernails, are fully developed, his bone marrow is producing red blood cells to form his immune system to fight infection, though he still receives antibodies from you via the placenta and breast milk, if you breastfeed.

Your baby is almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will shrink as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your centre of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size. Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs.

It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

If your discharge has become thick, white and lumpy, sometimes described as ‘cottage cheese’, you may have developed thrush, especially if you are also itchy. To prevent getting thrush wear cotton underwear to allow your skin to breathe.

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