29 Weeks Pregnant

At this stage, your baby is getting bigger by the minute, and you’re likely dealing with many new symptoms, as well as some familiar ones. Let’s dive into what you can expect at 29 weeks pregnant.

Your baby is about the size of a large cauliflower, measuring around 15.2 inches long and weighing about 2.5 pounds. 1 But don’t let that size fool you; he’s still got a lot of growing to do.

Here’s what’s happening with your baby this week:

• Bones: Your baby’s bones are hardening and soaking up calcium, with around 200 milligrams of it being deposited into his skeleton each day. 2
• Nerves: A protective myelin sheath is starting to form around your baby’s nerves. This will continue to develop even after he’s born, and it’s required for his nervous system to function properly. 3
• Lungs and breathing: Although your baby’s lungs aren’t fully developed yet, he’s still practicing his breathing movements. You might feel rhythmic hiccups from time to time as he does. This “practice” helps his brain and diaphragm connect. 4
• Skin: Someone’s getting chubby! Your baby is accumulating white fat under his skin, which helps to smooth out his wrinkled appearance. The vernix—the waxy coating that protects his skin—is also starting to disappear now. 5
• Red blood cell production: Your baby’s bone marrow is now responsible for producing red blood cells. All in all, he’s getting pretty close to being ready for life outside the womb.

Your baby’s position at 29 weeks

Your baby may have turned over by now, settling into a head-down position as he gets ready for birth. However, some babies might still be in a breech position (with their butt down).

You can try to determine your baby’s position by noticing where the most vigorous movements are coming from. Your doctor will be able to tell you what his current position is at your prenatal appointments.

Don’t worry if he’s still in the breech position—most babies get themselves in the right orientation in time for birth. 6

Counting your baby’s kicks

As you approach the end of your pregnancy, it’s important to monitor your baby’s movements. Starting around week 28 or 29, you should begin doing daily “kick counts,” as directed by your doctor.

You should feel at least 10 movements within two hours. If you don’t reach 10, contact your doctor. 7

Similarly, if you ever notice your baby is less active than he usually is, contact your doctor right away.

As your baby continues growing, your body is also changing to accommodate him. Some changes you might notice this week include:

• Weight gain: You should have gained between 16 and 25 pounds by now. 8 Don’t worry—it’s all going to good use! Your doctor will also track your weight to make sure you’re not gaining too much or too little.
• Varicose veins: You may get varicose veins during pregnancy, which appear on your legs. This is due to your increased blood volume and pressure from your growing uterus.
• Hemorrhoids: Unfortunately, increased pressure in your pelvic area may cause hemorrhoids to pop up.
• Fast-growing nails: You may notice your nails growing faster. They may also become more brittle than usual.
• Dry and itchy belly: As your skin stretches to accommodate your growing baby, it may become dry and itchy.
• Anemia: With your blood volume dramatically increased, you need to ensure you’re getting enough iron. If you’re low, you could get anemia, which causes fatigue and weakness. 9
• Swelling: It’s common for your ankles and feet to swell at this stage as your body retains more fluid. 10

Your baby bump at 29 weeks

You’ve got quite the baby bump now! As your uterus keeps expanding, the top of your uterus should be about 3.5 to 4 inches above your belly button. 11

Your little one’s growth spurt may make the space in your abdomen feel more crowded, so you’ll probably feel his kicks and jabs more than ever before.

You might be dealing with new symptoms this week, or have familiar ones carry over from your previous weeks. Here are some of the most common ones you may encounter during your 29th week of pregnancy:

• Cramping: You may get cramps from round ligament pain (caused by your hormones loosening your ligaments) or Braxton Hicks contractions (your body’s way of “practicing” its contractions in preparation for labor).
• Heartburn: Your elevated levels of the hormone progesterone will relax your digestive system, leading to slower digestion and heartburn.
• Lightheadedness: The added pressure from your uterus on the large vein carrying blood to your heart, coupled with your lower blood pressure, may lead to you feeling lightheaded or dizzy. 12
• Constipation: With your digestion running slower during pregnancy, it’s common to get pretty backed up.
• Pregnancy brain: Feeling foggy? It’s normal to feel more forgetful during this time. Your surging hormones may affect your memory, but don’t worry, this is temporary.
• Back, hip, and leg pain: All that additional weight you’re carrying puts a lot of pressure on your body, which can cause pain in your legs, hips, and back.
• Frequent urination: Your growing uterus is putting more pressure on your bladder, meaning you may need to use the restroom more often.

Some of these symptoms may lead to another: trouble sleeping. It can be hard to drift off when you’re full of aches and pains (and constantly running to the bathroom). Your rest is important, so if you find you’re not getting enough shut-eye at night, don’t feel bad about taking naps during the day.

Potentially serious symptoms to watch out for

Most of these symptoms are harmless and temporary (if annoying). However, you should still monitor them, perhaps by using a pregnancy tracker app, since in rare cases, unusual symptoms can suggest complications that require treatment.

Signs of preterm labor

If you go into labor before 37 weeks, it’s considered preterm. Needless to say, preterm labor is a big deal, although a baby born at 29 weeks can still survive with intensive care. Watch out for: 13

• Severe cramping that doesn’t get better with rest and hydration
• Regular contractions (at intervals of 10 minutes or less)
• A change in your pregnancy discharge (leaking amniotic fluid or blood)
• Low, dull backaches

If you have any of these symptoms, remain calm and contact your doctor or midwife immediately.

Signs of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition that causes high blood pressure in expectant mothers. Most cases aren’t serious, but in rare cases, preeclampsia can cause potentially life-threatening complications for both you and your baby. Common symptoms include: 14

• Severe headaches
• Blurred vision (or other big changes to your vision)
• Sudden swelling on the hands, face, or feet
• Pain below your ribs

See your doctor straight away if you have any of these symptoms. While they don’t necessarily mean you’ve got preeclampsia, it’s better to get it ruled out quickly—and if it turns out you do have it, it’s better to catch it early.

The third trimester can be challenging. As you get closer to the big day, you’ll need to take extra steps to stay healthy and comfortable:

Eat well

As your baby’s needs increase, make sure you eat well and continue to take your prenatal vitamins.

Your baby needs a lot of extra calcium this week, so include plenty of calcium-rich foods in your pregnancy diet, such as dairy products, tofu, dark leafy greens, and any calcium-fortified foods. You’ll also need to get sufficient iron to reduce your risk of anemia.

If you’re suffering from heartburn, eating smaller meals can help, along with avoiding greasy or acidic foods.

There are also certain foods you should avoid during pregnancy. For instance, steer clear of raw food, as you’re more at risk of infection when you’re pregnant.

Make sure that any eggs you eat are fully cooked, as well as any salad dressings or desserts that contain raw eggs. As tempting as raw cookie dough can be, avoid it along with any other uncooked batters.

Stay hydrated

It’s important to stay hydrated throughout your pregnancy. Guzzling water throughout the day can help prevent minor symptoms like constipation and even complications like preterm labor. If you get bored of plain water, fruit juices are also OK, but avoid unpasteurized juices, as they’re more likely to contain pathogens. 15

Get some exercise

If your doctor has given you the go-ahead, try to stay active by engaging in light exercise, such as walking or doing prenatal yoga, to help manage your fatigue and improve your sleep. Just make sure you wear supportive shoes and clothing, and always consult your doctor before you start any new exercise routine.

Get enough rest

With the many changes your body is going through, you may be feeling more tired than usual. Rest when you can, and don’t push your body too hard when exercising, working, doing chores, and so on. If you find it hard to get comfortable before bed, try sleeping with a pillow between your legs.

Take care of your mental health

Pregnancy isn’t just physically exhausting; it’s mentally draining, too. As you approach your final weeks, you may feel a mix of emotions as you deal with your symptoms and the reality of your baby’s imminent arrival. Reach out to your family and friends to let them know how you’re feeling, and speak to a therapist if you find yourself struggling with depression or anxiety.

With this transition to the last part of your pregnancy, now’s the perfect time to prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Preparing for labor and delivery

It’s best to get ready for labor and delivery while you still have the energy. Try to:

• Schedule a hospital tour: Take a tour of your chosen hospital or birth center, either in person or virtually. This helps you familiarize yourself with the facility and get a better idea of what to expect when you go into labor.
• Pack your hospital bag: Start packing a bag with essentials for yourself, your birth partner, and your baby. Pack comfortable clothes, toiletries, phone chargers, baby outfits, and a going-home outfit for you. Make sure you leave it by the door or somewhere visible to grab at a moment’s notice.
• Consider cord blood banking: If you choose to do so, now’s the time to look into cord blood banking. This involves saving the blood from your baby’s umbilical cord, which contains stem cells that can be used to treat certain diseases. You can choose to donate it or store it privately.
• Arrange for childcare: If you have other children, make arrangements for their care while you’re in labor and during your initial postpartum period.

Now’s also the time to familiarize yourself with what it will actually feel like when you go into labor, so you know when the big moment finally arrives. In particular, make sure you’re clear about the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and usually not painful, whereas true labor contractions are more regular and intense.

Preparing for life with your baby

It’s safe to say that your life will never be the same once you say hello to your little one. With that in mind, here’s what you should prepare over the next few weeks:

• Assemble baby gear: If you’ve received gifts or purchased baby items, get them set up. Cribs, changing tables, and other furniture can be tricky to assemble, particularly when you’re heavily pregnant, so ask for help if you need it.
• Prepare for postpartum: The postpartum period can be tricky, and you may need to reach out to your family and friends for help. Make arrangements for help with meals and household chores after your baby is born so you can get some much-needed rest (at least, as much as your new arrival will permit).
• Stock up on essentials: You’ll need an adequate supply of baby products, including diapers, wipes, baby formula (if you’re formula feeding), and other supplies.
• Prepare your baby’s nursery: If you’re into DIY, you can get creative with your little one’s nursery. Set up and organize your nursery with all the essentials, such as a crib, changing table, and storage space.

Your prenatal appointments at 29 weeks

You’ll attend more prenatal appointments during the third trimester. By this point, you’re probably an expert in what to expect from these, and nothing that happens in them will change all that much after week 29.

Your doctor will continue to monitor your weight, urine, and blood pressure, and check for signs of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infection. They may also want to schedule additional ultrasounds or nonstress tests.

Well done on reaching 29 weeks of pregnancy! While you may feel uncomfortable (and understandably frustrated with your symptoms), remember that this is a temporary phase.

Take care of yourself, listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor or midwife if you’re concerned. But most of all, remember to enjoy yourself—you’ve done great so far, and you and your baby are making excellent progress!