30 weeks pregnant

Your baby

Your baby's eyes can focus, although vision continues developing after birth. Looking, hearing and other sensory abilities develop over time rather than becoming fully mature at a single week. The cabbage comparison gives a rough sense of size. It does not tell you when labor will start or how your baby will respond to birth.

Your body

Vivid dreams, interrupted sleep and worries about delivery may make nights feel long. Tell your care team if you are persistently anxious or unable to rest. Preparing can help some people feel more confident, but you do not need to learn every possible complication. Choose the questions that would most help you understand what happens next.

This week

Learning about labor

Labor is commonly described in stages: the cervix opens, the baby is born, and then the placenta is delivered. The pace and support needed vary. Ask your team how they explain progress, what comfort and pain-relief options are available, and how you can participate in decisions. A birth-preparation class or a focused conversation may help you and your support person. Also ask which symptoms require a call before term; a general description of labor should never be used to dismiss contractions, fluid leakage or other concerns that start early.