At 30 weeks pregnant, you've just reached the 75-percent mark of your pregnancy. With only about 10 weeks left to go, chances are good that you've begun counting down to your due date.

The 30th week of your pregnancy will bring some considerations and some difficulties, but being prepared and aware of these factors can help make things much easier and more comfortable. New feelings - both physical and emotional - typically start around this time as you prepare for the final weeks of your third trimester. 

Let's take a look at how your baby is doing, what you can expect with your body and a few other essentials for the 30th week of your pregnancy.

Baby at 30 weeks pregnant

At this point, your baby has likely surpassed 15 inches in length and weighs nearly three pounds, or is about the size of a large head of cabbage. As baby continues to grow and take up space in your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will lessen - this is completely natural, and a good sign of growth. Now that major organs and body systems are developed, your baby will gain about a half pound each week to insulate and protect these important systems. As this growth continues, you may notice less frequent movements, which is a normal occurrence for many women, especially into the later weeks of their pregnancy when baby has less room to move. If you're concerned or don't feel an occasional kick, you can reach out to your health care provider.

Currently, baby's eyesight is developing but will remain a bit underdeveloped - even after your little one is born, he will likely only be able to see clearly within a few inches of his face. At 30 weeks, baby can open his eyes, and you might be able to make this out on your ultrasound images. Even in the womb, your baby can tell the difference between light and dark, which will help his eyesight even more after birth. Chances are good that while your newborn will respond to movement and light changes, most infants have 20/400 vision, and will continue to develop their eyesight after birth.

Interestingly, your baby's hearing is becoming more and more acute, and you may feel him move in response to loud sounds or even a certain song.

At the same time, baby's senses for pain and temperature have not yet developed. The cells that enable this haven't matured, so your baby cannot yet tell if he (or by extension, you) feels warm or cold.

Your body at 30 weeks pregnant

During your third trimester, especially during and after 30 weeks, you may notice that you feel particularly tired and may have trouble sleeping through the night. This is a normal occurrence for women at this point in their pregnancies. If you're feeling run down or are struggling to get a full night's rest, you can try certain sleeping positions, recommended by the American Pregnancy Organization, that can help alleviate back pain, heartburn and insomnia. The best sleeping positions include sleeping on your side, or "SOS," with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs. You might also try elevating your upper body with some extra pillows to help with night-time heartburn or shortness of breath.

You may also begin to feel more clumsy than usual, another common symptom at the 30-week mark. As your baby and your belly grow, your center of gravity can shift a bit and cause you to feel like you're losing your balance. Although it may feel like your body doesn't have enough room to provide for your growing little one, fear not - your body allows your uterus to extend underneath your rib cage so baby has the space to continue growing.

At this point, the ligaments in your feet can relax and spread, and it might be good to invest in comfortable, larger-size shoes. This is the result of hormone production in your body and is completely normal and sometimes permanent. Some women report their feet growing one size or more during the final trimester of pregnancy.

30 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Not all women have an ultrasound around the 30-week mark, but some providers order a scan to check growth and development. Because your baby's facial features are more developed and he can actually open his eyes inside, your ultrasound will be a close likeness of what he'll look like once he's born. It can be a good idea to bring your partner, a family member or friend with you for support.

How big is my baby at 30 weeks pregnant?

At 30 weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a iceberg lettuce, on average measuring at 15.7 inches long and weighing on average at 3.2 pounds.

30 weeks is how many months pregnant? 

At this stage in you're pregnancy, you're seven months two weeks (7m2w) pregnant.

Common symptoms at 30 weeks pregnant

At this point, you've likely already begun feeling Braxton-Hicks contractions, or smaller, "practice" contractions that help prepare you, your body and baby for the journey of birth. Braxton-Hicks usually involve the muscles around your belly tightening for about a minute or so, and then releasing. Some women feel a rolling sensation across their lower abdomen. These smaller contractions can take place over a few minutes, or even a few hours. This can be a little concerning, especially for new moms, but is a totally normal occurrence.

On the other hand, some women may not feel or notice Braxton-Hicks contractions at all.

All of these changes taking place within your body, combined with hormones and other factors, can also bring mood swings. Many women may have already experienced these in the earlier weeks of their pregnancies. Feeling agitated or upset can be completely normal, but if you're overwhelmed by these feelings or they concern you, speak with your health care provider.

Pregnancy checklist at 30 weeks pregnant 

While many moms are in nesting mode - organizing, cleaning and preparing the home and nursery for baby's arrival - others are beginning to plan baby's first outing to visit family and friends after birth.

Now is also an ideal time to make final decisions about: 

• Your birth plan.
• Pain medication.

Thinking about the type of birth experience you want to have and the strategies you might use to handle labor are good considerations to make around this time in your pregnancy.

What to Expect at 31 Weeks Pregnant