30 Weeks Pregnant

The countdown has almost begun. You are now three quarters of the way through your pregnancy and you ll be amazed at how quickly the remaining 10 weeks will go by. What once seemed so far away is really getting closer with every day which passes.

That's the saddest thing I've ever heard

By now you are probably feeling a bit of an emotional shift within yourself. You're starting to notice other pregnant women, babies and young children and taking an interest in other women's pregnancy experiences. Even if your own pregnancy was not planned or came as a surprise, by 30 weeks the dawning realisation that you too, will soon be a mother has descended upon you. Even if you don t usually show your emotions, by 30 weeks pregnant you may be. Watching the news or listening to sad stories can prompt a surge of empathy and a fresh batch of tears. Somehow, the human experience seems so much more intense and personal when you're pregnant. This does not mean you are a candidate for post-natal depression or at more risk than any other new mother. It is completely normal to feel more emotionally fragile at this stage. Nature has a way of softening mothers so that they can be more sensitively attuned to their babies and better able to nurture them.

Your physical changes this week

• You could want to wee more frequently from now on. Your baby is getting bigger and its close vicinity to your bladder i.e. on top; means that it won t take much urine volume to make you feel uncomfortable. Try not to rush out of the toilet too quickly though. It's important to completely empty your bladder each time you go, to avoid the risk of developing a urinary tract infection.
• Night time insomnia may plague you now, despite how tired you are when you go to bed. This is a common condition in the third trimester and there is little which can be done about it. Other than trying to keep a regular pre-bed routine, avoiding caffeine in the afternoons, aiming for a quiet wind down before bed and ensuring a supportive, comfortable bed most women find there is little else they can try. Some white noise, such as a whirling fan or playing some relaxation music can be helpful. Sedation is not recommended during pregnancy and taking sleeping tablets can be too risky. Instead, try a milk drink, experiment with lots of pillows in your bed, lie on your side and rest your upper leg on a long pillow. Try moving your computer and mobile phone out of the bedroom as well, and avoid looking at a phone or computer screen for an hour or more before you go to bed. Declutter your bedroom if it is a dumping station. It needs to be restful and serene in there.
• You may be troubled by varicose veins in your legs now. They are not helped by the pressure of your uterus on the major blood vessels in your pelvis. Unfortunately, they are likely to get worse before they get better. Some women develop varicose veins in their vulva, a particularly uncomfortable condition especially if combined with haemorrhoids. Supportive underwear with a Lycra component, support panty hose, cooling baths and showers and avoiding long standing can all help. Watch your weight gain and elevate your legs and feet whenever you can. There is usually relief of varicose veins after birth, though some women can continue to experience them.