30-Week Pregnancy

Eating a healthy and balanced diet throughout pregnancy is very important for both your health and your baby's health.

Essential Nutrients:

• Protein: Adequate protein intake is important for your baby's rapid growth. Meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts are good sources of protein.
• Calcium: Calcium intake is important for your baby's bone development. Milk and dairy products, leafy green vegetables, almonds, and calcium-fortified foods are calcium sources.
• Iron: Your iron needs increase as your blood volume rises. Red meat, dried legumes, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruits are iron sources.
• Folic Acid: Folic acid intake is important to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Leafy green vegetables, legumes, grains, and folic acid supplements are folic acid sources.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are important for your baby's brain development. Foods like salmon, tuna, walnuts, and flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Fiber: Consuming high-fiber foods is important to prevent constipation. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are fiber sources.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and strengthens the immune system. Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, and tomatoes are vitamin C sources.

Foods to Avoid:

• Mercury-containing fish: Avoid fish with high mercury levels, such as swordfish, shark, and mackerel.
• Raw or undercooked meat and eggs: Raw or undercooked meat and eggs can increase the risk of food poisoning.
• Unpasteurized milk and cheese: Unpasteurized milk and cheese may contain harmful bacteria.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can harm your baby's development.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications.
• Excessive caffeine: High caffeine intake may cause miscarriages.
• Processed foods: Processed foods are high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat and are unhealthy.

Your baby's gender may have been determined in previous weeks during ultrasound scans.

At 30 weeks pregnant, a routine ultrasound is generally not performed. However, your doctor may request an ultrasound to assess your baby's development, check the amount of amniotic fluid, evaluate the placenta's position, or diagnose any potential issues.

At the 30th week of your pregnancy, it is important to take certain precautions to protect your health and support your baby's development.

Signs of Preterm Labor:

At 30 weeks, the risk of preterm labor is still high. Pay attention to the following signs of preterm labor and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Water breaking
• Regular contractions (every 10 minutes or more frequently)
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Back pain
• Pelvic pressure
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Braxton Hicks Contractions:

Braxton Hicks contractions are practice contractions of the uterine muscles. These contractions are usually irregular, painless, and short. They are not a sign of preterm labor, but if they become regular and painful, you should contact your doctor.

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy or is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. It can be risky for both mother and baby. If you have not been screened for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks, you can do so this week. If diagnosed, blood sugar levels are managed with diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.

Preeclampsia:

Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy. It is a serious condition for both mother and baby and requires immediate treatment. Symptoms include headache, visual disturbances, swelling in the face and hands, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Other Recommendations:

• Avoid lying on your back: Your growing uterus can press on major blood vessels, impair circulation, and cause dizziness or fainting. Sleeping on your left side is recommended.
• Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothes can impair circulation and cause discomfort.
• Choose appropriate footwear: Prefer comfortable, flat shoes instead of high heels or pointed shoes.
• Moisturize your skin: Skin dryness and itching are common during pregnancy. Regular moisturizing is important.
• Maintain dental health: Pregnancy hormones can make gums sensitive. Brush your teeth regularly and use dental floss.
• Continue sexual activity: Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, sexual activity can continue during pregnancy.
• Monitor your baby's movements: Once you start feeling your baby's movements, it is important to track them. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice a decrease or change in movements.
• Participate in prenatal exercises: Prenatal exercises help you prepare for labor and stay fit during pregnancy.
• Take childbirth education classes: These classes provide information about labor and help you prepare for delivery.
• Start buying baby items: Purchasing baby items is both exciting and contributes to your preparation.
• Prepare the nursery: Creating a safe and comfortable environment for your baby is important.
• Make a birth plan: A birth plan helps you communicate your preferences and coordinate with your delivery team.
• Spend time with your partner: Spending quality time with your partner helps you prepare for your baby's arrival and support each other.
• Take time for yourself: Relaxation is important during pregnancy. You can read a book, listen to music, take a warm bath, or meditate.
• Prepare your hospital bag: Your hospital bag should contain items you may need during your stay (comfortable clothes, slippers, sanitary pads, nursing bras, baby blankets, etc.).
• Plan for the postpartum period: Consider arranging help at home, researching breastfeeding counseling services, and starting your search for a caregiver for your baby.

A Life Health Group has a team of experienced obstetrics and gynecology specialists who are experts in pregnancy care. We provide personalized pregnancy follow-up services to expectant mothers and their babies using the latest technology and methods.

Our Services:

• Obstetrics and gynecology specialist examination
• Ultrasonography (including detailed ultrasound scans)
• Prenatal tests (such as double screening test, triple screening test, glucose tolerance test)
• Pregnancy education and counseling
• Childbirth preparation courses
• Labor and postpartum services
• Breastfeeding counseling
• Baby care education

Experience a healthy pregnancy with A Life Health Group!

Welcome to the 30th week of your pregnancy! The countdown to birth has begun, and your baby is preparing to enter the world. This week, your baby's growth rate increases, and the organs continue to mature.

Size and Weight:

At 30 weeks pregnant, your baby is approximately 39-40 cm long and weighs 1300-1400 grams. You can think of your baby as being the size of a cabbage.

Organ Development:

Your baby's organs continue to mature. The lungs are still developing, and surfactant production is increasing. Surfactant is an essential substance that helps the lungs open and fill with air after birth. Your baby's heart is beating stronger, and blood circulation is improving. The brain is growing rapidly, and the nervous system continues to develop. The bone marrow begins producing red blood cells. The immune system is developing, providing protection against certain infections through antibodies passed from the mother. The liver and kidneys are also continuing to mature.

Sensory Development:

Your baby's senses are further developing. The eyes can now open and close, and the pupils can dilate and constrict in response to light. Your baby can hear sounds better and distinguish between different noises. They respond to sounds in the womb, music, and especially the voices of the mother and father. Taste buds are developed, allowing your baby to taste the amniotic fluid. The sense of touch is also developing, enabling them to touch the uterine wall, the umbilical cord, and their own body.

Movements:

At 30 weeks pregnant, your baby's movements become stronger, more coordinated, and regular. You can now clearly feel kicks, nudges, turns, and hiccups. Feeling your baby's movements is both an exciting and reassuring experience. Sharing these movements with your partner can also strengthen the bond. As your baby has less space in the womb, movements may feel stronger and sometimes even uncomfortable.

Brain Development:

Your baby's brain is developing rapidly, and brain activity is increasing. This week, your baby begins to think, learn, and remember. They also start to experience and express emotions. Brain waves indicate sleep and wake cycles. During this period, omega-3 fatty acid intake is very important for your baby's brain development.

At the 30th week of your pregnancy, many changes also occur in your body.

Physical Changes:

• Growing belly: Your abdomen grows further, and your skin stretches. Your navel may protrude.
• Weight gain: Gaining an average of 11-14 kg by this week is normal.
• Breast growth: Your breasts continue to enlarge, and colostrum production increases.
• Skin changes: You may notice spots, stretch marks, or visible veins on your skin.
• Changes in hair and nails: Your hair may become thicker and shinier, and your nails may grow faster.
• Other changes: You may experience varicose veins, edema (swelling), back pain, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, numbness in hands and feet, sleep problems, snoring, leg cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, hot flashes, sweating, fatigue, forgetfulness, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, back pain, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, reflux, and insomnia.

Emotional Changes:

• Emotional swings: Hormonal changes may cause emotional fluctuations.
• Anxiety and worry: You may feel concern and worry about your baby's health, childbirth, and parenting.
• Nesting instinct: The nesting instinct can be defined as the desire to organize and clean your home in preparation for your baby's arrival.
• Maternal instinct: The maternal instinct continues to develop, and your desire to bond with your baby increases. Feeling your baby's movements helps strengthen this bond.