Pregnancy Week 29

What does my baby look like?

Your baby is roughly the size of a pumpkin. Their body is largely formed now, and over the coming weeks their organs will keep maturing and they'll continue storing fat.

The greasy, white coating called vernix that protects your baby's skin is still there, while the soft lanugo hair that kept them warm slowly begins to shed during these weeks.

How many months pregnant are you?

You're in your 7th month of pregnancy. There are about 11 weeks left until the birth.

At this stage, your baby:

• is close to their birth length but keeps gaining weight

Over the coming weeks, they may more than double their weight. As more fat is stored beneath the surface of the skin, that wrinkled look fades. Brown fat helps regulate body temperature, while white fat serves mainly as a source of energy.

Counting your baby's kicks

Because your baby's living space is getting tighter now, you may feel nudges and pushes coming mostly from elbows and knees. Movements can feel stronger, too, since your baby is getting more powerful and responding more noticeably to things like movement, sound, light, or what you eat.

Depending on your doctor's advice, now may be a good time to start counting kicks once or twice a day.

What's happening with your baby this week?

This week your baby takes up more room in your belly with each passing day. Expect to feel plenty of kicking, rolling, and wiggling.

Your baby's eyes can now open, and they may sleep for up to 20 hours a day in the womb. Although their retinas aren't fully formed yet, their vision will develop quickly over the coming weeks. They can notice changes in light and may develop enough sight to see faces about 30 cm away after birth.

What's happening in my body?

You may feel a bit clumsy or ungainly this week. It takes time to get used to a growing belly. As your center of gravity shifts, your sense of balance can be affected too. Don't panic if you fall, but do let your doctor know.

As your baby presses on your lungs, you may feel a little short of breath. Carrying the extra weight also puts a strain on your body.

Sleeping can get harder. You may get up more often at night to use the bathroom and have leg cramps. It can feel like your baby gets active just as you're trying to sleep, because they have their own sleeping and waking patterns.

Get to know your baby's movement pattern. If you notice the movements change or stop, contact your doctor or the hospital.

Rest whenever you get the chance during the day. Lying on your side is usually more comfortable. Placing a pillow under your belly and one between your legs while you lie down can help you relax.

If you feel so exhausted that you're struggling to cope, talk to your doctor.

Whooping cough vaccine

The whooping cough vaccine is usually recommended before week 33. It can be given later, too, but your baby may be less likely to get protection from you. If you haven't had it yet, talk to your doctor this week.

Swelling and varicose veins

Swelling is common in pregnancy. The extra fluid in your body and the increased amount of blood contribute to it. You may notice swelling in your hands, face, legs, ankles, and feet. It's usually more noticeable in the evenings, especially if you've been on your feet all day.

If the swelling doesn't go down when you wake up in the morning, or if it's getting worse, contact a health care provider so that preeclampsia can be ruled out.

Varicose veins can also appear in pregnancy because of increased blood flow and hormones. For most people, they ease after the birth.

Symptoms you might notice this week

This week you may experience the following symptoms:

• trouble sleeping
• swollen and bleeding gums
• round ligament pain
• hemorrhoids
• back pain
• indigestion and heartburn
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urinary tract infections
• vaginal infections
• darkening skin or brown patches on your face
• oilier, more acne-prone skin
• thicker, shinier hair

Symptoms carried over from earlier weeks may continue as well:

• mood swings
• cravings
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaking breasts
• milky white discharge and light spotting

If you have any bleeding, seek medical advice.

Symptoms to watch out for

If you have any symptom that worries you, tell your doctor. Having discussed the same thing before doesn't stop you from bringing it up again. If you feel something isn't right, trust your own instincts.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath can happen during this stage. This may be because your growing uterus makes it harder for your lungs to expand, along with the baby's position. Extra weight can add to the feeling too. As your baby drops toward the pelvis, the shortness of breath may ease a little.

To ease shortness of breath:

• eat smaller, more frequent meals
• try to stand up straight
• raise your hands above your head and take a deep breath
• try gentle exercise like walking or swimming

As long as you have no other worrying symptoms, mild shortness of breath usually doesn't harm you or your baby. Even so, if it worries you, talk to your doctor.

Cramping

In the third trimester, you may get cramps from round ligament pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, or constipation. Cramping is usually mild and most of the time doesn't mean anything serious.

Drinking a glass of water, taking a warm bath, or moving gently can help. But if the cramping doesn't go away after a few minutes of rest, is severe, comes with a fever or dizziness, involves upper abdominal pain, or your belly is very tender to the touch, call your doctor.

Dizziness

Big changes happen in your circulatory system during pregnancy. Your heart rate goes up, your heart pumps more blood per minute, and the amount of blood in your body increases. The growing uterus can also press on your blood vessels. Because of this, you may feel lightheaded or dizzy.

To reduce it:

• eat and drink regularly
• stay hydrated
• avoid getting overheated
• don't stand up too quickly
• don't lie flat on your back
• don't push yourself too hard when exercising

If you have frequent dizziness, constant lightheadedness, or any other concern, call your doctor.

Nutrition this week

Since the start of pregnancy, your blood volume may have increased by about 1.5 liters. Because plasma volume goes up by about 50% while red blood cells increase less, anemia can develop in pregnancy. This is common, but if you're concerned, talk to your doctor.

To support your blood volume, try to drink plenty of water and eat iron-rich foods to help your body produce red blood cells.

Iron and anemia

Getting enough iron in pregnancy is important. Iron is needed for your growing baby, the placenta, and the production of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Low iron can lead to anemia.

If your iron is low, you may feel tired or run down. Your doctor may recommend an iron supplement. In more serious cases, an iron infusion may be needed. Your iron levels can be monitored with blood tests throughout your pregnancy.

Digestion and heartburn

Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles in your body, which can slow down digestion. The growing uterus also crowds your abdominal cavity. As a result, you may get gas, heartburn, and constipation.

To ease heartburn:

• eat smaller meals
• don't lie down right after eating
• finish eating 2–3 hours before going to bed
• drink water between meals
• sleep propped up on pillows at night
• ask your doctor about medications that are safe in pregnancy

Start thinking about your birth plan

If you'd like, you can start writing your birth plan. Consider the following:

• what kind of pain relief options you want
• who you want as your birth partner
• what role you'd like your birth partner to play

How to count kicks

From this point on, it's important to keep track of your baby's movements every day. Depending on your doctor's advice, you can count kicks once or twice a day.

You can do this lying down, or sitting up if lying on your back isn't comfortable. Count every kind of movement, including wiggles and rolls. The goal is to reach 10 movements.

If you don't reach 10 movements within an hour, have a light snack and try again. If you feel fewer than 10 movements within two hours, call your doctor. If there's a noticeable drop in movements, don't wait.

Slow down, but don't give up

As your belly grows, you may find yourself getting short of breath more easily, especially going up stairs. It's normal to ease your pace back to a level your body can handle. Even so, try to stay as active as you can.

Feeling anxious about the birth

As your pregnancy progresses, it's normal to worry about the birth. If you feel this way, tell your doctor. There are ways to get more support.

Prenatal checkups

At your third-trimester appointments, your doctor may keep checking your weight, urine, and blood pressure. You may be screened for signs of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infection. As the pregnancy progresses, your appointments may become more frequent. Your baby's heartbeat can be listened to with a Doppler, and an ultrasound or nonstress test can be done when needed.

Emotions during this time

Pregnancy can bring up a wide range of emotions. You may feel excited, anxious, or a mix of the two. It can help to talk through the things that worry you with friends, family, or your doctor.