Pregnancy Week 30
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Pregnancy Week 30
Pregnancy Week 30: Braxton Hicks
By the time you reach 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should be paying close attention to your baby's movements. While you will notice your baby starts moving less during the day, many healthcare providers recommend you take notice of any reduction or loss of movement and report it immediately. You should also be weary of any abnormal or unusual movements by your baby around pregnancy week 30 and beyond. If you haven't already, you may start feeling Braxton Hicks contractions while you are 30 weeks pregnant and as you continue your pregnancy week by week until delivery. Braxton Hicks contractions are often mistaken for labor. It is important you distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions from pre-term labor contractions during your third trimester. Braxton Hicks are practice contractions that help your body prepare for labor and delivery. You may notice the lower part of your abdomen temporarily tightens and releases. As long as this happens on a come and go basis, you are probably experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. Real contractions typically result in consistent contractions where the entire belly tightens. You may notice your back hurts and your contractions become painful. You may also experience bloody discharge or water leaking from your vagina. If this happens contact your doctor immediately because you may be in premature labor! More often then not however, by pregnancy week 30 most women experience false labor or Braxton Hicks contractions as they walk or engage in other strenuous activities. You can usually lie down for a short time if you find them troublesome, and often they halt within a short time. Remember if they do not call your doctor. Can You Say Heartburn?As your uterus continues to grow and your baby gets bigger, you may notice you develop heartburn. Try avoiding spicy foods or eating large meals during pregnancy week 30 and after. Heartburn commonly occurs because your uterus presses firmly against your stomach causing your stomach to push some of the food you eat back into your esophagus. Your digestive system also slows as you continue your pregnancy week by week. As always it is important you avoid eating large meals and ensure you eat foods that are not overly spicy or filled with tomato sauce, two items that often cause heartburn in even non-pregnant women. If you find heartburn unbearable, talk with your doctor. He or she may give you the green light to take a calcium carbonate heartburn reliever, but do not take one before you talk with your doctor! Remember any and all medications you take will affect you and your baby, so you want to take great care to protect your baby from unnecessary exposure to chemicals and medications.
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