June 26, 2025 • 11 mins
EP: 101
Welcome to week 30, mama! 🎉 You’re deep into the third trimester, and while baby’s growing fast, so are the less-talked-about symptoms, emotions, and changes happening in your body.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually happens at 30 weeks pregnant—and not just the textbook stuff. We’re getting into the emotional rollercoaster, the pelvic pressure no one prepares you for, and the early feeding prep you can (and should) start now.
I’ll also be sharing some powerful ways to prep your body and brain for birth—and how this week plays a critical role in that journey.
What You’ll Learn:
- What your baby’s doing at 30 weeks that impacts feeding later
- Weird symptoms that are normal (but definitely uncomfortable)
- Why your brain is literally rewiring for motherhood
- What kind of support to put in place now to help your future self
- How to gently start prepping for labor, birth, and breastfeeding
Links & Resources:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,
(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
So you've hit 30 weeks andsuddenly it's like, whoa, this
(00:50):
is really happening.
Your belly's huge.
Your sleep is probably trash,and your emotions, well, they're
all over the place, But here'swhat no one tells you.
At 30 weeks, They don't tell youthat your baby's doing something
wild right now that affectstheir feeding patterns after
birth, and no one tells you theone thing that you'll wish you
(01:14):
had started right now That hasnothing to do with diapers or
nursery walls.
Listen, stick around because I'mabout to walk you through what's
really going on at 30 weeks,what most moms overlook, and
some science backed prep tipsthat actually will make a
difference.
(01:34):
But before we dive in, I got aquestion for you.
Have you joined my free weeklynewsletter, the Due Date
Diaries?
It's like getting a voice notefrom your doula bestie every
Tuesday with tips, mini preptalks, and secret resources that
I only share with my emailfamily.
(01:55):
Think recipes, real talk andmust know prep that makes the
wild ride a little bit easier.
All you have to do is just clickthe link below to get instant
access.
Remember, it is totally free,and if I have to say so myself.
It's super worth it.
Okay, now let's get into what'shappening with you this week.
(02:19):
This week is an absolute wildride why you ask?
Because at 30 weeks, your brainstarts changing in a way that
scientists call maternalneuroplasticity.
Now, if you tuned in last week,you've heard this term before,
but I wanna go a little bitdeeper this week.
(02:39):
Now maternal neuroplasticity,that's just a fancy term for the
way your brain shrinks slightly,but becomes hyper-efficient at
tuning into your baby's needs.
It's why your senses are on highalert.
It's also part of why your sleepfeels a little lighter.
See, your brain is literallyprepping to respond to a crying
(03:03):
baby.
Now, no one really talks aboutthis, but it will absolutely
explain that sudden need toclean random corners of your
house or why your dreams areextra vivid or emotional.
It also explains why decisionmaking feels harder even though
your instincts are stronger.
So here's a practical tip.
(03:25):
I want you to start mind, bodywork right now, and that simply
looks like light breath work oreven prayer and meditation.
This will support thatneurological shift, even if it's
done just five minutes a day, ifreally helps your body to
prepare for labor.
Now by 30 weeks, your baby'sbrain is developing taste memory
(03:51):
based on what you're eatingright now actually.
Okay, so here's how it works.
Research shows that babiesexposed to a wide range of
flavors in utero, yes, throughyour amniotic fluid, are more
likely to breastfeed well andtolerate different foods even
later.
So that garlic, your baby'stasting it, that curry.
(04:14):
Same deal.
And that sugary cereal.
Yep.
That also, now nobody's tellingyou this, but feeding diversity
starts now, not when solidsbegan.
Also, your baby is practicingsucking and swallowing, which
sets the stage for their feedingreflexes after birth.
(04:35):
So here's an action step foryou.
I want you to try rotating yourmeals a bit and include
hydrating foods like cucumbers.
Citrus and broth include healthyfoods like avocado and olive
oil, and also include foods richin choline like eggs.
For baby's brain development,that should give your baby a
(04:59):
wide taste memory.
Alright, now here's what getsskipped in most pregnancy
updates.
Your pelvis is already preppingfor birth.
Your body releases a hormonecalled relaxin.
Say it with me.
relaxin.
Now, this hormone softensligaments and joints and it's
(05:23):
great for birth, but it can leadto wobbly hips or sciatica.
And no one is gonna tell youthis, but you can actually
support your pelvis with simplemovements that reduce pain and
help the baby to get intoposition.
So I want you to try this.
I want you to try 10 minutes ofdaily walking.
(05:46):
Also gentle hip circles on abirthing ball and open knee,
chest position, or child's poseonce a day just for five
minutes.
These will really help your babyto settle into a better position
for labor and relieve that endof day pressure.
Now PS.
(06:06):
These are the exact movements Iwalked through inside of Bump to
Bundle Blueprint, becausepreparing your pelvis is just as
important as packing yourhospital bag.
Alright, now we're gonna talkabout the emotional crash,
right?
Let's normalize this.
Around 30 weeks is common tofeel anxious, to feel
(06:27):
overwhelmed, or just feel off,not like yourself.
The key thing here is to realizethat you are not broken.
It's not just hormones.
This is part of pregnancy whereit sinks in.
That baby is almost here now.
Your brain, your brain isactually struggling to picture
the after.
(06:48):
And the world doesn't prepareyou for postpartum recovery
night feeds, or how your bodyand identity, they're all gonna
shift.
So a lot of moms end up feelingblindsided.
Here's what we're gonna do toprepare you, instead of
spiraling into overwhelm, I wantyou to ask yourself, what
support can I set up now to helpthe future me feel held?
(07:14):
To feel seen, to feel heard?
All right.
Now what this might look like isplanning some freezer meals,
also asking a friend to check inon you in postpartum, kind of
like your postpartum buddy.
or you can enroll in a coursethat helps you to prepare for
birth breastfeeding.
And those first few days thatare a bit blurry, i've got one
(07:38):
for you.
Hint, hint, bump to bundleblueprint.
The link is in the description.
All right, now everyone'stelling you to stock up on baby
gear, but here's the non-Amazonprep that really matters.
At 30 weeks, I want you to learnwhat birth actually feels like,
and here's a spoiler alert.
It's not just pain, it ispressure, it's intensity and
(08:03):
emotion.
I want you to understand thefirst 48 hours of breastfeeding,
things like colostrum, clusterfeeding, and latching, it's a
lot.
Now I want you to set up asimple feeding plan, especially
for those early weeks.
Try to include backup options aswell in case things go sideways.
(08:25):
Now, if you're planning tobreastfeed, here's a few things
I want you to pay attention to.
Learn what a good latch lookslike.
Understand how often your babyis going to eat, especially in
those first 48 hours.
And here's the spoiler alert.
It's a lot my friend.
Also, I want you to know what todo if things don't go as
(08:45):
planned, because it's okay ifyou're struggling with
breastfeeding.
Just know that there's plenty ofhelp out there.
Alright, now here's a few morethings I want you to pay
attention to.
'cause these are things thatyou're gonna need as well.
Okay?
So first up is a go bag forlabor.
Yes.
By 32 weeks, you definitelywanna have this ready.
(09:07):
So between now and then, Isuggest you start packing little
by little.
If you want a comprehensivelist, I have a free download in
the description to help you packyour hospital bag in just a few
minutes.
So if you want to get thatfreebie, just go ahead and click
the link below.
(09:28):
Okay.
Also, you'll need a list ofpostpartum must-haves, things
like pads, sickles.
You may have heard of them, butyou definitely want to start
packing and preparing that stuffnow.
Also, a clear plan of what youplan to do with your feeding
plan.
So that feeding plan I justtalked about.
(09:49):
It needs to help you clarifywhether you're gonna breastfeed,
whether you're pumping, whetheryou want to do a combination of
feeding or if you want to simplydo formula.
That plan needs to reflect howyou want to proceed to feed your
baby after birth.
(10:10):
Now here's what a lot of momstell me.
I spent so much time preppingfor labor that I forgot to
prepare for what comes next.
And honestly, that's the stuffthat hits the hardest because
when baby is here, you won'thave time to research.
You'll be in survival mode.
But you can get ahead of it now.
(10:30):
You can start learning how toadvocate for yourself in the
delivery room, how to feed yourbaby with confidence, and how to
handle those first seven dayspostpartum.
And I mean, without the panic.
You don't need to be perfect,you just need to be prepared.
And that's exactly what I helpyou with inside of Bump to
(10:51):
bundle Blueprint.
So if you're nodding along,like, yes, this is what I've
been needing, I want you to gocheck out Bump to Bundle
Blueprint that's linked below.
You'll get my full birth prepsystem and postpartum survival
guide, plus a bunch of bonusesto make this transition
smoother.
and don't forget to grab yourspot in the due date diaries so
(11:13):
that we can keep chatting everyweek with real raw pregnancy
tips and all the things thatyour OB forgets to tell you.
Now, drop a comment below andlet me know what week are you in
and what symptom is throwing youfor a loop.
I always respond and I lovehearing from you.
Until next week, I'll see youthen for week 31, pregnancy
(11:38):
update.
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,
(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
So you've hit 30 weeks andsuddenly it's like, whoa, this
(00:50):
is really happening.
Your belly's huge.
Your sleep is probably trash,and your emotions, well, they're
all over the place, But here'swhat no one tells you.
At 30 weeks, They don't tell youthat your baby's doing something
wild right now that affectstheir feeding patterns after
birth, and no one tells you theone thing that you'll wish you
(01:14):
had started right now That hasnothing to do with diapers or
nursery walls.
Listen, stick around because I'mabout to walk you through what's
really going on at 30 weeks,what most moms overlook, and
some science backed prep tipsthat actually will make a
difference.
(01:34):
But before we dive in, I got aquestion for you.
Have you joined my free weeklynewsletter, the Due Date
Diaries?
It's like getting a voice notefrom your doula bestie every
Tuesday with tips, mini preptalks, and secret resources that
I only share with my emailfamily.
(01:55):
Think recipes, real talk andmust know prep that makes the
wild ride a little bit easier.
All you have to do is just clickthe link below to get instant
access.
Remember, it is totally free,and if I have to say so myself.
It's super worth it.
Okay, now let's get into what'shappening with you this week.
(02:19):
This week is an absolute wildride why you ask?
Because at 30 weeks, your brainstarts changing in a way that
scientists call maternalneuroplasticity.
Now, if you tuned in last week,you've heard this term before,
but I wanna go a little bitdeeper this week.
(02:39):
Now maternal neuroplasticity,that's just a fancy term for the
way your brain shrinks slightly,but becomes hyper-efficient at
tuning into your baby's needs.
It's why your senses are on highalert.
It's also part of why your sleepfeels a little lighter.
See, your brain is literallyprepping to respond to a crying
(03:03):
baby.
Now, no one really talks aboutthis, but it will absolutely
explain that sudden need toclean random corners of your
house or why your dreams areextra vivid or emotional.
It also explains why decisionmaking feels harder even though
your instincts are stronger.
So here's a practical tip.
(03:25):
I want you to start mind, bodywork right now, and that simply
looks like light breath work oreven prayer and meditation.
This will support thatneurological shift, even if it's
done just five minutes a day, ifreally helps your body to
prepare for labor.
Now by 30 weeks, your baby'sbrain is developing taste memory
(03:51):
based on what you're eatingright now actually.
Okay, so here's how it works.
Research shows that babiesexposed to a wide range of
flavors in utero, yes, throughyour amniotic fluid, are more
likely to breastfeed well andtolerate different foods even
later.
So that garlic, your baby'stasting it, that curry.
(04:14):
Same deal.
And that sugary cereal.
Yep.
That also, now nobody's tellingyou this, but feeding diversity
starts now, not when solidsbegan.
Also, your baby is practicingsucking and swallowing, which
sets the stage for their feedingreflexes after birth.
(04:35):
So here's an action step foryou.
I want you to try rotating yourmeals a bit and include
hydrating foods like cucumbers.
Citrus and broth include healthyfoods like avocado and olive
oil, and also include foods richin choline like eggs.
For baby's brain development,that should give your baby a
(04:59):
wide taste memory.
Alright, now here's what getsskipped in most pregnancy
updates.
Your pelvis is already preppingfor birth.
Your body releases a hormonecalled relaxin.
Say it with me.
relaxin.
Now, this hormone softensligaments and joints and it's
(05:23):
great for birth, but it can leadto wobbly hips or sciatica.
And no one is gonna tell youthis, but you can actually
support your pelvis with simplemovements that reduce pain and
help the baby to get intoposition.
So I want you to try this.
I want you to try 10 minutes ofdaily walking.
(05:46):
Also gentle hip circles on abirthing ball and open knee,
chest position, or child's poseonce a day just for five
minutes.
These will really help your babyto settle into a better position
for labor and relieve that endof day pressure.
Now PS.
(06:06):
These are the exact movements Iwalked through inside of Bump to
Bundle Blueprint, becausepreparing your pelvis is just as
important as packing yourhospital bag.
Alright, now we're gonna talkabout the emotional crash,
right?
Let's normalize this.
Around 30 weeks is common tofeel anxious, to feel
(06:27):
overwhelmed, or just feel off,not like yourself.
The key thing here is to realizethat you are not broken.
It's not just hormones.
This is part of pregnancy whereit sinks in.
That baby is almost here now.
Your brain, your brain isactually struggling to picture
the after.
(06:48):
And the world doesn't prepareyou for postpartum recovery
night feeds, or how your bodyand identity, they're all gonna
shift.
So a lot of moms end up feelingblindsided.
Here's what we're gonna do toprepare you, instead of
spiraling into overwhelm, I wantyou to ask yourself, what
support can I set up now to helpthe future me feel held?
(07:14):
To feel seen, to feel heard?
All right.
Now what this might look like isplanning some freezer meals,
also asking a friend to check inon you in postpartum, kind of
like your postpartum buddy.
or you can enroll in a coursethat helps you to prepare for
birth breastfeeding.
And those first few days thatare a bit blurry, i've got one
(07:38):
for you.
Hint, hint, bump to bundleblueprint.
The link is in the description.
All right, now everyone'stelling you to stock up on baby
gear, but here's the non-Amazonprep that really matters.
At 30 weeks, I want you to learnwhat birth actually feels like,
and here's a spoiler alert.
It's not just pain, it ispressure, it's intensity and
(08:03):
emotion.
I want you to understand thefirst 48 hours of breastfeeding,
things like colostrum, clusterfeeding, and latching, it's a
lot.
Now I want you to set up asimple feeding plan, especially
for those early weeks.
Try to include backup options aswell in case things go sideways.
(08:25):
Now, if you're planning tobreastfeed, here's a few things
I want you to pay attention to.
Learn what a good latch lookslike.
Understand how often your babyis going to eat, especially in
those first 48 hours.
And here's the spoiler alert.
It's a lot my friend.
Also, I want you to know what todo if things don't go as
(08:45):
planned, because it's okay ifyou're struggling with
breastfeeding.
Just know that there's plenty ofhelp out there.
Alright, now here's a few morethings I want you to pay
attention to.
'cause these are things thatyou're gonna need as well.
Okay?
So first up is a go bag forlabor.
Yes.
By 32 weeks, you definitelywanna have this ready.
(09:07):
So between now and then, Isuggest you start packing little
by little.
If you want a comprehensivelist, I have a free download in
the description to help you packyour hospital bag in just a few
minutes.
So if you want to get thatfreebie, just go ahead and click
the link below.
(09:28):
Okay.
Also, you'll need a list ofpostpartum must-haves, things
like pads, sickles.
You may have heard of them, butyou definitely want to start
packing and preparing that stuffnow.
Also, a clear plan of what youplan to do with your feeding
plan.
So that feeding plan I justtalked about.
(09:49):
It needs to help you clarifywhether you're gonna breastfeed,
whether you're pumping, whetheryou want to do a combination of
feeding or if you want to simplydo formula.
That plan needs to reflect howyou want to proceed to feed your
baby after birth.
(10:10):
Now here's what a lot of momstell me.
I spent so much time preppingfor labor that I forgot to
prepare for what comes next.
And honestly, that's the stuffthat hits the hardest because
when baby is here, you won'thave time to research.
You'll be in survival mode.
But you can get ahead of it now.
(10:30):
You can start learning how toadvocate for yourself in the
delivery room, how to feed yourbaby with confidence, and how to
handle those first seven dayspostpartum.
And I mean, without the panic.
You don't need to be perfect,you just need to be prepared.
And that's exactly what I helpyou with inside of Bump to
(10:51):
bundle Blueprint.
So if you're nodding along,like, yes, this is what I've
been needing, I want you to gocheck out Bump to Bundle
Blueprint that's linked below.
You'll get my full birth prepsystem and postpartum survival
guide, plus a bunch of bonusesto make this transition
smoother.
and don't forget to grab yourspot in the due date diaries so
(11:13):
that we can keep chatting everyweek with real raw pregnancy
tips and all the things thatyour OB forgets to tell you.
Now, drop a comment below andlet me know what week are you in
and what symptom is throwing youfor a loop.
I always respond and I lovehearing from you.
Until next week, I'll see youthen for week 31, pregnancy
(11:38):
update.
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