Overview of Week 29 of pregnancy
During week 29 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 15.25 inches long
- You are in trimester three
- 11 more weeks to go
- Bones and muscles are getting stronger
Now that you are in the third trimester, your baby is growing and getting stronger. Those little flutters you used to feel, are now probably really starting to feel like kicks. At this point in pregnancy, you should also start doing kick counts. Take some time once or twice a day to sit back and relax. Start a timer and start counting any movements you feel from your baby. This can include kicks, flutters, rolls, or swishes. Once you get to ten kicks, stop the timer and take note of the time. If it takes longer than one hour to reach ten movements, have a snack or sugary treat and try again. If there is still a lack of movement, contact your practitioner and let them know.
How many months pregnant is 29 weeks?
During the 29th week of pregnancy, you should hit the 6.5-month mark of pregnancy. That means only 2.5 months left until you meet your little one. You are in the third trimester.
How big is baby at 29 weeks pregnant?
Your baby is now around 15 and 1/4 inches long, from head to toe. Curled up in your uterus, it is roughly the size of a cauliflower head. As for weight, your little one weighs about 2.5 pounds by week 29 of pregnancy. During the next month, your baby is set to roughly triple its current weight!
Baby development during week 29 of pregnancy
Bones & Muscles
Now that you are in the third trimester, most of your baby’s development is on growing. Bones are growing stronger and harder, and are also taking in more calcium. Muscles are growing bigger as well, which you can probably tell by the feel of your little one’s kicks each day.
Skin
Your baby’s skin is starting to thicken and soon won’t be so translucent. The skin is also starting to smooth out and becomes less wrinkled due to the production of fat underneath it. The little hairs, known as lanugo, are at their peak point this week, and will slowly start to fall out throughout the rest of the trimester, as well as after birth.
Pregnancy Week 29 Symptoms
Braxton-Hicks
Braxton-Hick contractions are false labor pains caused by the contraction of the uterus. They are not contractions that indicate that labor is coming; instead, they prepare your body for labor. Unlike labor contractions, these contractions come irregularly and do not increase in length or strength. They can feel uncomfortable and like mild menstrual cramps. You may start to feel Braxton-Hicks at any time in your pregnancy from now on.
Stretch marks
You may have started to notice stretch marks forming on your belly and breasts. These indented, purple, red, or blue lines occur when skin is stretched quickly. It is difficult to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy and they are usually permanent scars. You may not be able to avoid them completely, but you can start to use lotions and oils on your belly and breasts to help reduce the severity of the marks.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum and around your anus. During pregnancy, increased blood flow to the pelvic area, as well as increased pressure from the uterus, causes veins around your rectum to swell. Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and if you get them, it is best to avoid sitting for too long at a time, as sitting can cause extra pressure on the veins.
Swelling
Swelling in pregnancy is a normal symptom that usually starts in the second trimester and may worsen towards the end of pregnancy. Excess fluids in the body and pressure from your growing uterus can cause water retention in the feet, ankles, and hands. If you notice your fingers starting to swell, you should remove any rings until the swelling goes down. Let your doctor or midwife know if the swelling worsens or if there is a large amount in your face or around your eyes.
Pregnancy week 29 tips
Take pictures
Have you taken your weekly baby bump photo yet? These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy. In fact, if you have been taking pictures since the beginning of your pregnancy, you will probably already see some transformation.
Get nursery ready
The third trimester is the perfect time to get everything ready for the arrival of your little one. This is the time to set up the crib, put together the changing table, and decorate the walls of the nursery. Finalizing the nursery will take a load of weight off your shoulders and make the upcoming arrival of your new baby seem all that more real.
Pack your hospital bag
You never know when your little one will decide to make their appearance. It’s a good idea to start packing a hospital bag to have ready, just in case. Remember to pack extra clothes for both you and the baby, diapers, wipes, and your phone charger.
Take off your rings
You may have already noticed some swelling from the second trimester; however, in the third trimester, it is sure to increase. Make sure you take off any rings from your fingers before they swell too much. Most women will have to remove rings until after the birth of their babies.
