30-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Every day, your baby develops more, getting ready to make an entrance into the world in just under 10 weeks. Has it gone fast or is the time creeping by for you? Every mom feels it differently. Read more to learn what to expect 30 weeks into pregnancy.
Baby development
Ooh, what was that? Felt a movement that didn’t feel like their usual kicking? Your baby might have the hiccups. Fetal hiccups feel rhythmic and a little jerky, and you will usually feel them in the same spot for the duration of your baby’s hiccup spell. Just like in babies and adults, fetal hiccup spells will go away on their own after a period of time. This week, if you are having a boy, his testes are descending into his scrotum. Your baby’s eyes can now respond to light, and low frequencies of certain music or familiar voices, can trigger movements or increased heart rate, visible on ultrasound.
Your body
A few weeks ago, you greeted the first movements of your little darling with delight. Now your baby’s gymnastics can sometimes feel less than lovely: your uterus has now grown so much that when they push against your ribs with a violent movement, it can hurt.
Nutrition
Food provides the nutrients that you and your baby need, and the calories that your baby needs to grow. The requirements for most nutrients are higher during pregnancy, and in the third trimester you need about 450 extra calories per day. These additional calories can be met with 2 or 3 extra servings from Canada’s Food Guide through your day. What does 450 calories look like?
- An apple with ¾ cup of yogurt
- 1 slice of whole -grain toast and a cup of milk
- ½ an English muffin with a slice of cheese and ½ of a sliced pear
Tips
If you work, you may preparing for starting your maternity leave. Some women start their leave early and others remain at work until close to the big day of delivery. For most women with uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies, they can work as long as they choose. Speak to your doctor and to your employer if you work with certain chemicals, solvents, fumes or radiation, or if your work is very physically demanding.
References:
Horsager-Boehrer, R. UT Southwestern Medical Center. Your Pregnancy Matters: Fetal hiccups won’t harm your baby – they're totally normal! Fetal hiccups won’t harm your baby – they’re totally normal! | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical Center (utswmed.org) Accessed September 2021.
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. PregnancyInfo.ca: Healthy eating. Healthy eating – Pregnancy Info Accessed September 2021.
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. PregnancyInfo.ca: Working during pregnancy. Working during pregnancy – Pregnancy Info Accessed September 2021.
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