Week 29 of Pregnancy: All You Need to Know

Baby Development

How is my baby growing?

Week 29 of pregnancy baby development is an exciting one. You are in your third trimester of pregnancy, and you can see significant changes in your body and experience so much more. Here is some useful information to help you in week 29 of pregnancy baby development.

At this stage, your baby will be around the same size as butternut squash. Your baby will be roughly around 14 ½-16 inches long and will weigh around 2½-3 pounds. While your baby may be nearly reaching his birth length, he will double or triple his weight by the time of birth!

Your baby’s skin used to be wrinkled but will start to smooth out. That is because he is gaining more fat under the skin.

However, it is not the same as the brown fat that he originally had. He will now have white fat, which is the same kind that we use for our energy source.

Your baby’s brain is growing, so his head will start expanding. That is not the only thing getting larger. Your baby’s lungs and muscles are also developing. Additionally, your baby’s bones will begin to harden more by week 29 of pregnancy baby development.

Body & Life Changes

How is my body changing?

At this point, your baby has grown so much that you can feel him pushing into your stomach. The pressure can make you experience heartburn. To reduce this symptom, you can avoid carbonated drinks and spicy and fatty foods, and eat little yet often.

A funny little symptom you may notice is that your belly button sticks out. There is no need to worry though as this will go back to normal after the baby is born.

Another symptom, which you may have gotten earlier in your pregnancy, is varicose veins. It normally appears in your legs, and you may notice that they are bumpy and swollen. You can wear support tights, keep your legs elevated, and speak to a doctor if they begin to bother you.

As your baby develops, your body will use a lot more iron than normal. You might be low in iron if you feel unusually tired and dizzy, so it would be best to consult your doctor for advice.

By week 29 of pregnancy baby development, you may notice that you are urinating more frequently, and this is because your uterus is expanding. However, it does not mean you ought to decrease your water intake because of it. It would be best to make sure you stay properly hydrated.

Most women tend to have gained 19-25 pounds by week 29 of pregnancy baby development. Additionally, your growing baby now moves a lot more often, and you may feel at least around 10 movements in 2 hours.

What should I be concerned about?

As your belly grows, you may notice some pain growing as well. You are carrying extra weight, so you may experience some soreness around week 29 of pregnancy baby development.

Your skin will be more sensitive too since the skin around your belly is getting thinner. Drinking lots of water and putting lotion on your belly can help you with the itchiness. However, if you develop a rash or have severe itchiness, you may want to speak to your doctor.

Your Doctor Visits

If you experience any severe or bothersome symptoms of pregnancy, it would be best for you to visit your doctor. Additionally, if on week 29 of pregnancy baby development you see dangerous signs such as vaginal spotting, menstrual-like cramps or lower back pain, gush of watery pinkish or brownish discharge that has the consistency of thick jelly, seek medical attention immediately.

Health & Safety

What should I know about being healthy and safe while pregnant?

At this point, your breasts might leak a fluid that is colostrum. To help you deal with the mess, you can buy breast pads. 

As we mentioned earlier, by week 29 of pregnancy baby development, you may experience frequent urination and heartburn. You may also have some leg cramps. Therefore, trying to stay active (as suggested by your doctor) and walking around can help you alleviate these symptoms.

In the third trimester, you are more susceptible to getting a urinary tract infection. If you see any signs of a UTI, we suggest you speak to a medical professional right away.

Signs of UTI include

• Fever
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Yellowish to greenish vaginal discharge
• Itchiness

If you find yourself having trouble sleeping at night, then there are simple ways to help you get a good night’s rest. You can do some light exercise, drink lots of water, and avoid caffeine.

It would be best for you to eat around 500 extra calories each day to make sure that your baby is getting enough nourishment from you. However, the actual number can vary from woman to woman, so asking your doctor would be best.

Additionally, you will need to make sure the majority of the calories you are consuming are from healthy foods. It is also recommended that you make sure you get enough calcium each day to avoid a low birth weight and pregnancy-induced hypertension. 

Your belly will be very visible to everyone, and people may tell you some myths or “pamahiins” that you do not have to follow. One example of a pamahiin is that your baby will become stubborn if you drink soft drinks while you are pregnant. That is not true. However, staying away from soft drinks can be a good idea since it is high in sugar and caffeine.

You may also want to check your airline’s policies if you are planning to fly. It is not too late for you to fly, however, each airline will have different policies regarding pregnant passengers.

Now that you are on week 29 of pregnancy baby development, you can see and feel a huge difference in your baby’s growth. You may also start feeling more excited about the big day. As you prepare for delivery, continue to learn the needs of your baby each week to properly take care of your growing child.