30 Week Ultrasound: What to Expect

If a 30 week ultrasound is on the cards for you, you’re in the home stretch of your pregnancy.

How. Very. Exciting.

At this point, there are only about 10 weeks to go.

In less time than it takes to grow a pumpkin, you’ll be holding your baby on the outside rather than on the inside.

As you’re gearing up for this final phase, you’re no doubt brimming with questions.

Like, have I bought enough newborn onesies?

There’s no harm in getting another pack of five, right?

While those are certainly highly important concerns, so too are questions regarding the final stage of your pregnancy—and one of the most pertinent of these is:

At 30 weeks pregnant, what on earth is going on inside of me?

We thought we’d help you out with that one.

So, without further ado, here’s your 30 week ultrasound Q&A.

In this article: 📝

Do you get an ultrasound at 30 weeks?

You will work together with your doc to determine when your ultrasounds happen and how many you get.

Most mamas-to-be only get two during the duration of their pregnancy ‒ one at around 8-12 weeks (your first-trimester ultrasound) and another at [18]9https://www.peanut-app.io/blog/18-weeks-pregnant)-[21 weeks](https://www.peanut-app.io/blog/21-weeks-pregnant).

If you are having a 30 week ultrasound, the main purpose of it will be to determine that the little squirt is growing as they should.

Your doc will also check to see that the placenta is not blocking your cervix.

What is the 30 week ultrasound for?

You can speak with your doctor to discuss a 30 week ultrasound in your third trimester.

A 30 week ultrasound is not usually offered, but can be recommended if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, or if baby was a little under-weight during your second-trimester scan.

Is a 30 week ultrasound normal?

We don’t tend to use the word ‘normal’ so much ‒ after all, every birth experience is different.

But most pregnant women don’t have a 30 week ultrasound ‒ it’s usually offered if there are extenuating circumstances to baby’s health or your health.

What is the last scan in pregnancy?

Typically, the last scan during your pregnancy is between 18-21 weeks, but some mamas have anywhere from 30 week ultrasounds to 40 week ultrasounds.

However, 30 weeks pregnant ultrasounds can be used to check up on baby’s progress if you or they have any underlying health conditions.

What can I see on 30 week ultrasound?

What you should see at 30 week ultrasound?

So what can you expect to see in your 30 weeks pregnant ultrasound?

Well, baby will be looking pretty similar to how they’ll be looking when they make their grand entrance to the world.

You also might not necessarily have a 30 week ultrasound ‒ it could be a 29 week ultrasound, 32-week ultrasound, 40-week ultrasound, or anything in-between.

Is your baby fully developed at 30 weeks?

Well, at 30 weeks, your baby won’t quite be fully developed, but they’re very nearly there, as you’ll see during your 30 week ultrasound.

They’re certainly getting close to full baby size now.

Organs are developed, as are bones and teeth.

Weighing in at a whopping 2.9lbs (or the weight of three soccer balls), their main job now is to keep putting on weight for their big day.

What does a 30 week fetus look like?

So this part is more than a little awe-inspiring.

A 30 week ultrasound will reveal a tiny being that looks pretty damn similar to the person you’re going to meet in (roughly) 10 weeks’ time.

You’ll see a little nose, some lips, tiny hands, and maybe even some open eyes.

Aww.

Your doc might give you the choice between the following ultrasound types:

• 30 week 3D ultrasound: This will allow you to see more than a simple profile of your baby. In fact, our 30 week ultrasound will look quite a little like a photo. Let’s hope they put on something nice for the occasion.
• 30 week 4D ultrasound: A 4D ultrasound actually shows movement. Like a video. We know. Insane. Their first starring role in a home movie: their 30 week ultrasound!

What does a 30 week twin ultrasound look like?

If you’re expecting twins, triplets, or even quadruplets (congratulations, mama!), a 30 week ultrasound is routine procedure.

This is just to check up on your babies, because, as multiples, they might be getting a little tight for space in there!

What position is baby in at 30 weeks?

Baby will be starting to get in position for birth, which you’ll see during your 30 weeks pregnant ultrasound.

Their head will most likely be down, but 25% of babies around their 30 week ultrasound aren’t in a ‘head-down’ position. [1]

It’s usually nothing to worry about ‒ baby could be ‘upright’ until around 34 weeks, but if they are in breech position at birth (like 3-4% of babies), there are some things you can try. [2]

So that’s your little one. But what about you?

You at 30 weeks pregnant

At this point, you might be feeling a little over it all.

That little peanut is no longer a peanut and appears to be putting on weight every time you breathe in.

While every mama’s experience is different, some of the things that could be part of your world during your 30 week ultrasound are:

• Sleep deprivation. You try and sleep with three soccer balls in your belly! Getting comfy may feel like a downright impossibility. Pregnancy pillows do exist and can help, at least with the physical comfort side of things. As for the thoughts that are racing through your head at a million miles an hour? Meditation? Reading? Doing advanced math problems in your head? Do what works for you, but you might want to ditch the electronics before bedtime. They don’t pair well with sleep.
• General feelings of overcrowding. And with good reason. (Remember the part about you having three soccer balls inside you?) Your not-so-little one hasn’t dropped down toward your pelvis yet (although you’ll be able to tell during your 30 week ultrasound), so they may be pushing against your lungs and leaving you short of breath.
• Heartburn. But you’re likely used to that at this point, so let’s move on.
• Mood swings and fatigue. That walking-on-sunshine feeling you may have glimpsed in the second trimester has given way to more of a Grinchy sort of number. Fine. Fine. Fine.
• Swelling of literally everything. Like you’ve been blown up like a balloon. Your feet may feel particularly, um, expanded.

How many months is 30 weeks pregnant?

What’s 30 weeks pregnant in months?

7 months ‒ nearly at the finish line!

What to ask at 30 week ultrasound

You likely won’t have to ask many questions during your 30 week ultrasound, but it depends on your circumstances and any medical conditions you might have.

But if you want to make sure you have all the information you could possibly need during your 30 weeks pregnant ultrasound, here are some questions you can ask:

• What position is my baby in?
• Can I have a 30 week 4D ultrasound?
• Can I have a 30 week 5D ultrasound?
• Is baby up to the right size and weight at 30 weeks?
• Is there anything else you can do for baby?

How much water do I drink before 30 week ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are pretty much old hat for you by now!

As with your first-trimester ultrasound and second-trimester ultrasound, you should aim to drink around 8 ounces of water about an hour before your 30 week ultrasound.

So that’s all there is to know about your 30 week ultrasound!

We know: it’s a lot to deal with all at once.

But there’s not too long now, we’re rooting for you, mama!