Pregnancy Week 30 vs Week 31

Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks

📊

Time Difference

1 week apart

🔄

Trimester

Both in 3rd trimester

Baby Size Comparison

Growth Progress

Week 30Cabbage

Week 31Coconut

Your baby is approximately 76% through pregnancy

Week 30

📏

Length

15.7 inches

⚖️

Weight

3 pounds

🍎

Size Comparison

Cabbage

Week 31

📏

Length

16.2 inches

⚖️

Weight

3.3 pounds

🍎

Size Comparison

Coconut

What Changes Between Week 30 and 31?

👶New Baby Developments

✓All five senses are fully functioning and processing information
✓Baby can see shapes and shadows, hear voices, smell and taste amniotic fluid, and feel touch
✓Lungs are nearly mature and would likely need minimal support if born now
✓Most babies move into head-down (vertex) position around this time
✓Fingernails have reached fingertips and baby may scratch their face

🤰New or Changing Symptoms

✓Braxton Hicks contractions becoming more frequent and intense
✓Pelvic pain and pressure (SPD - symphysis pubis dysfunction) from loosening joints
✓Increased clear or white vaginal discharge
✓Continued shortness of breath
✓Possible numbness or tingling in hands and fingers

📈Key Changes Summary

Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.

Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.

Baby Development Milestones

Week 30 Development

•Lanugo (fine downy hair) is gradually disappearing from most of baby's body
•Baby is getting noticeably plumper as fat continues accumulating
•Bone marrow is fully in charge of producing red blood cells
•Tiny toenails are now visible and growing
•Head hair continues growing and may be quite long
•Brain is developing billions of neurons with increased folding

Week 31 Development

•All five senses are fully functioning and processing information
•Baby can see shapes and shadows, hear voices, smell and taste amniotic fluid, and feel touch
•Lungs are nearly mature and would likely need minimal support if born now
•Most babies move into head-down (vertex) position around this time
•Fingernails have reached fingertips and baby may scratch their face
•Baby's movements may change from kicks to rolls and shifts due to limited space

Common Symptoms

Week 30 Symptoms

•Noticeable swelling (edema) in hands, feet, ankles, and possibly face
•Intensifying backaches from carrying extra weight and shifted center of gravity
•Leaking colostrum (early breast milk) from nipples
•Mood swings and emotional changes as you approach motherhood
•Strong nesting instinct urging you to clean and organize
•Increased Braxton Hicks contractions

Week 31 Symptoms

•Braxton Hicks contractions becoming more frequent and intense
•Pelvic pain and pressure (SPD - symphysis pubis dysfunction) from loosening joints
•Increased clear or white vaginal discharge
•Continued shortness of breath
•Possible numbness or tingling in hands and fingers
•Difficulty sleeping more than a few hours at a time

Nutrition Tips

Week 30 Nutrition

•Reduce sodium intake to under 2,300mg daily to minimize swelling
•Eat calcium-rich foods (1000-1300mg daily) for final bone development
•Include vitamin C-rich foods (85mg daily) for tissue repair and iron absorption
•Stay hydrated with water which paradoxically helps reduce water retention
•Eat potassium-rich foods to balance sodium
•Include protein at every meal and snack