Skinny no more! Fat deposits are making the baby plump. He has assumed the head-down position and will continue to descend further down into mum’s pelvis. A major focus area for growth is the baby's rapidly developing brain. Till now, the baby had a white, greasy coating on the skin. This ‘vernix’ and the downy hair called ‘lanugo’ start to disappear from now. The little lungs are developing nicely at this stage but this is one organ that definitely needs more weeks to mature. The kidneys are fully functioning: their output is mixing with the amniotic fluid which is steadily increasing. You may not be sleeping too well and could also be getting vivid and disturbing dreams.

Garbha Vriddhi

सप्तमे मासि तसमाच्च नित्यक्लान्ताऽत्र गर्भिणी सर्वधात्वांगसंपुर्णो वातपित्तकफान्वितः। (काश्यप संहिता)

Ayurveda says the baby’s whole body gets completely associated with vata, pitta and kapha.

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Your Baby's Development

Increasing Hiccups

You would have noticed the baby's hiccups for some time now but, this is the time when they increase. They don’t bother the baby. On the contrary, these rhythmic movements work out the respiratory muscles nicely. From Week 30 of pregnancy, hiccups stimulate the brain and help in its development, experts feel.

Wrinkly brain surface

The so-far smooth surface of the baby’s brain is now getting wrinkly. These wrinkles (convolutions) add to the surface area of the brain so that it can add more brain cells. These convolutions have grooves and indentations and are enabling the brain to add more tissue.

Improving sight

The little one’s ability to see in the dark is improving. He can spot hazy shapes since the pupils have learnt to constrict and expand, allowing his eyes to change the amount of light to be let in.

Padding up

From week 30 onwards, your baby will gain about a half pound each week. Now that all of his critical body systems are in place and functioning, he needs padding to protect and insulate his organs. This fat tissue will also help him regulate his body temperature after birth and provide the energy he needs. This fat is making him grow bigger, and that will slow down his movements.

Bone marrow is making red blood cells

This week marks the beginning of another big change. Your baby's bone marrow has completely taken over production of red blood cells. So far, tissue groups and the spleen were producing the blood cells. This is an important step for your baby because it means she'll be better able to thrive on her own once she's born.

Your Pregnancy Symptoms

Heartburn

A burning sensation in your chest, a side effect of indigestion will bother you. It is because the same pregnancy hormones that cause your body's pelvic muscles to relax so you can deliver your baby also relax the ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This makes the food you eat and digestive juices travel back, especially when you lie down.

Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is often associated with repetitive computer work, but it’s also a common problem in pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. According to a study, about 62% of expecting mothers report symptoms of CTS.

Pregnancy-related weight gain and water retention can put pressure on the median nerve in your wrist causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hands and fingers. It can also make grasping objects difficult.

Changes in baby’s movement

Since the baby is getting bigger, kicks may get replaced with full-body wiggles. The baby is likely to get more active after you’ve had a meal. The space is reducing, hence strong kicks may reduce. But, please keep counting baby movements and call the doctor if you notice a change.

Swollen feet and ankles

Apart from a lucky few, almost all pregnant women suffer this. So, do take breaks from walking and standing. Keep your legs up on a stool and ask daddy to give a foot massage with warm coconut oil. Wear comfortable shoes when you are stepping out.

Stretch marks

This is the final ‘stretch’ and the skin will stretch even more. These pinkish streaks around stomachs, breasts, or hips happen when collagen and elastin (the fibres that keep your skin taut) stretch and snap due to the pressure of rapid weight gain. Stay hydrated and put a cream on your belly. Avoid scratching it!

iMumz Wellness Tip

Do milk / milk products make your stomach upset? Here are some Ayurvedic options for those who suffer from lactose intolerance.

Buttermilk : Add a pinch of sendha (rock salt), hing (asafoetida), 2-3 leaves of garden mint and fresh coriander leaves, chillies(optional).

Buttermilk prepared with the ayurvedic method is excellent for lactose intolerant pregnant women.

How to make:  Use fresh curd (set for 6-7 hours), the ratio of curd to water should be 1:4 (1 part curd and 4 parts of water), churn well with the wooden churner after adding each part of water. Skim the white butter till you get only the watery part. Mix the above said ingredients and the vedic buttermilk is ready.

Coconut milk Ayurveda recommends adding coconut milk in the diet at 7th and 8th month. This helps to nourish the baby's skin, improve the complexion and improve the foetal weight.

How to make: Take pieces of fresh coconut. Put it in the grinder. Grind well. Add some water if required. Grind again. Squeeze the paste to extract milk either through a cotton cloth or a seiver. consume when fresh.

Your Pregnancy check-ups

Having an ultrasound done in the 30th week is not essential, but some doctors may do it. The scan will show clearly demarcated features and eyes that are open. The shape of the lips is also clear. If you are lucky, you may spot those hands, open or gripping a leg.

In your routine prenatal visit,  your weight, blood pressure, urine for protein and sugar, foetal growth, position of the baby and foetal heart rate will be checked.

Other tests that may be done, based on your unique pregnancy:

• Amniocentesis. You may receive an amniocentesis if your doctor thinks your baby might have a bacterial infection called chorioamnionitis.
• The Nonstress Test. The nonstress test (NST) measures your baby's heart rate as they move around.  
• Contraction Stress Test or Oxytocin Challenge.

What should you eat in this week of pregnancy?

In the third trimester, pregnancy hunger can diminish as your baby crowds your internal organs, including your stomach. You'll still need to eat more calories than you did before pregnancy, which means you'll likely want to eat smaller, more frequent meals to satisfy your nutritional needs. So, here is a snacking suggestion that can help you break a single meal into two snacky meals.

Chop and roast / air fry vegetables and have them with a nice dip. First, let's separate the firm vegetables from the tender ones.

Firm vegetables are potato, sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, beetroot, broccoli, and cauliflower.  Tender vegetables are onions, zucchini, capsicum, brussels sprouts (halved). beans.

Just slice the vegetables and keep aside. Starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes need to be soaked (or at least rinsed thoroughly) before air frying. This removes the surface starch and helps them to get that deliciously crispy texture, so don’t skip this step!

Add salt and pepper, and a tiny amount of olive oil. Rub in well.

When ready to snack, just toss them in the fryer and let them roast.

Get ready to dig in, but first, how about a nice, home-made dip for flavour? Here are some options:

Tandoori Dip

• 3/4 cup hung curd

• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

• 1/4 cup chopped coriander

• 1 tbsp tandoori masala

• A pinch of sugar

• Salt to taste

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Cucumber Curd Dip

• 1 cup curd, strained for an hour

• 1 cup grated cucumber

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh dill (sua), minced

• 2 tsp lemon juice

• Salt and fresh black pepper to taste

Spring Onion Dip

• 1/3 cup thick chilled curd

• 1/4 cup chopped spring onions (whites and greens)

• 1/4 tsp chopped garlic

• 1/4 tsp chopped green chillies

• A pinch of cumin (jeera) powder

• 1/4 tsp jaggery powder

• 1/4 tsp mustard (rai) powder

• Salt to taste