What is going on with your baby during week 30?

Changes in you at this stage Week 30

• You have now been officially pregnant for 7 months.
• You are big now - your belly is the size of a watermelon
• You may feel your heart pounding or have shortness of breath when you exert.
• Your abdominal muscles have loosened so when you are lying down you can't get up as quickly as before. Roll to one side before getting up.
• You may have started the pregnancy 'waddle'.

Good to Know in Week 30

Definitions of time

• Swelling in your legs and feet are normal and common unless it involves your hands and face.

Baby Gadgets

• Babies change weekly on what they like and don't like. So don't give up on baby gadgets.
• Babies love to swing. With proper supervision, baby swings are appropriate from birth to about 9 months or a weight of 25 lbs or 11.3 kg. The back and forth motion sooths a crying baby and helps a newborn fall asleep. Colicky babies benefit from this movement too.
• Invest in a good stroller with a built-in infant car seat. You will need the infant car seat whenever you go out with your baby. This 2-in-1 is convenient - just pop them from the carrier in the stroller to the car. Babies sleep comfortably in a car seat rather than their cribs. The car seat can also be used to soothe your baby by gently rocking it back and forth.

Wholesome Advice in Week 30

• Start building on your baby's library now with board books. You can start reading to your baby when she is few months old.
• There are many "must-have baby items" that you can get confused. The bottomline is you don't really need most of them. All you need right away besides the basics - diapers, onesies and blankets - are a car seat and a bassinette. Wait and see and take it from there.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage

Elevate your legs and feet

• 10-15 minutes break spent lying down on your back with both your feet and legs elevated does wonders for you during your final trimester. This position will boost the circulation in your legs, help tired achy and give your back the much needed rest it needs. This tip is useful not just at the end of the day but at any time when you can squeeze a quick break.

The Non-Drug Approach for Depression

• Depression is a disease that can be treated and controlled. The most common treatment for depression comes in pill form, which may not be a wise option right now. There are non-drug treatments that may work for you for minor symptoms of depression. If you are on medication (approved by your doctor) these steps can help your medication work better.
  1. Magnesium. Make sure you get enough of this mineral found in fruits, nuts and vegetables and omega fatty acids found in fish and olive oil.
  2. Low carbs. Avoid sugar and processed carbs.
  3. Moderate exercise. Exercise helps to alter negative feelings from escalating. Moderate exercise such as walking, yoga and swimming for half an hour a day makes your body release more endorphins which elevates your spirits.
  4. Balanced blood sugar. Keep food in your stomach at all times and drink plenty of water: low blood sugar is known to increase feelings of depression and irritability.
  5. Control stress. Avoid stress if you can - now is not a good time to take on new responsibilities if you can avoid them.
  6. Avoid self-medication. However bad it may be don't use alcohol, smoking or drugs as a way out. Seek safe alternatives.

Common Concerns in in Week 30

Is it normal to feel stressed?

• Lots of pregnant women suffer from stress. Your mind may be crowded by all kinds of thoughts including your unborn baby's health, your upcoming labor; you may wonder about how you will manage the labor and the aftermath, whether you have brought everything. It is however important to de-stress and not let worry consume you.

Will stress harm my unborn baby?

• Isolated stress experienced from time to time will have no harmful impact on you or your baby. However prolonged stress especially in the early part of pregnancy can increase your chances of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and premature birth and there seems to be link to hyperactive disorders in pre-school children. If you are undergoing unmanageable stress it is important to seek help.

Is there anything we can do to prepare for caring for our newborn?

• Read parenting books or journals together; discuss issues that are raised such as baby safety, breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding. Reading gives the couple something to do together besides the useful information. Discuss any plans of action you might have with regards to roles and duties and external help you may need once the baby arrives.

Weekly Nutrition advice in Week 30

Constipation is a common concern during pregnancy and is caused by a slowdown in bowel movement due to the hormone progesterone. Constipation or pressure from the uterus may lead to swollen veins or hemorrhoids. Vein problem in legs is caused by the increased weight and blood volume. To remedy the situation or even prevent them eat foods that are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoid such as garlic, onions and parsley. The following tips will help constipation:

• Drink lots of water
• Limit processed foods
• Eat plenty of fiber rich foods
• Eat psyllium seeds to soften stools
• Eat oat bran, dried fruits, papayas, figs, peas
• Eat almonds and bananas for bulk and honey for lubrication
• 2-3 helpings of salad a day will provide plenty of useful fiber

Water

Drinking water during pregnancy is one of the most important ways you can offer protection to your unborn child because adequate hydration prevents premature labor. Here is how water helps both you and your baby:

• Dehydration can cause uterine contractions leading to premature birth
• UTI is more commonplace because of the hormonal changes your body undergoes. Again, this can cause premature labor to kick in
• During pregnancy your metabolism revs up. Before your blood volume increases (the first trimester phase) adequate fluids helps dissipate some of this additional heat
• Hormonal changes can cause constipation; drinking water improves regularity
• Staying hydrated keeps headaches, dry skin and complexion problems at bay

Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day. One easy way is to keep water within easy reach at all times. Experiment which taste or temperature suits your taste buds best; icy cold or room temperature or mixed with some flavor for those who don't like it bland. By fluids, don't include colas or fizzy drinks or even fruit juices. Soft drinks and carbonated beverages leave you bloated and full. Fruit juices contain sugar don't go overboard. Coffee and tea contain caffeine. So stick with water.