29 Weeks Pregnant

At 29 weeks pregnant, your journey is advancing further, and this is yet another thrilling chapter in your pregnancy. We're here to guide you through the changes and experiences you can anticipate this week. From symptoms you may experience at 29 weeks pregnant to the size of your baby and belly, we've got you covered. So, stick with us as we navigate the waters of this week's pregnancy journey together.

Highlights at 29 Weeks Pregnant

Before we dive in, let's review some of the notable aspects of being 29 weeks pregnant:

• At this stage, your baby's major growth phases are mostly finished, and they'll continue to put on weight and size, readying themselves for their grand debut into the world.

• You may want to start keeping track of your fetal movements around 29 weeks—it’s kick-counting time! You'll probably notice your little one shuffling around more frequently.

• Your expanding pregnancy belly might be the source of some discomfort and fatigue around the 29-week mark. Hang in there—you're nearing the finish line!

• If you're still on the hunt for the perfect baby name, our Baby Name Generator below might spark some inspiration:

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29 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Your little one is preparing to meet you! Here are some of the exciting developments they’re working on to get ready:

• Your baby is starting to gain weight more quickly when you're around 29 weeks pregnant. During the last two and a half months of your pregnancy, they’ll continue to put on more padding and will likely double their current weight.

• Although the major body and organ development work is nearly complete, their lungs may not be mature enough for life outside the womb just yet.

• At 29 weeks pregnant your baby may be very active—they can kick, stretch, and grasp. You might even notice your baby is kicking more often, and that those kicks are getting stronger as they change position from time to time.

• When you are 29 weeks pregnant, your healthcare provider may advise you to count your baby’s fetal movements once each day. This helps check that your little one is developing and moving normally.

For more on how your little one will develop in the coming months, check out our third-trimester guide.

29 Weeks Pregnant in Months

How many months is 29 weeks pregnant? Though pregnancy doesn't fit neatly into months, you're likely to be at the beginning of your seventh month now. So, what trimester is 29 weeks pregnant? You’re now in your third trimester—the home stretch!

Baby’s Size at 29 Weeks Pregnant

How big is a baby at 29 weeks pregnant? At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a butternut squash. They may weigh about 1.25 kilograms and measure around 38 centimetres in length.

Your Baby: What Does 29 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

The illustration below offers you a look at how your baby may be positioned at 29 weeks pregnant.

Your Body at 29 Weeks Pregnant

Right now, eating healthily is vital for the growth of your baby. Two important nutrients you may need include iron and calcium. Iron helps your body maintain and replenish red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body and prevent anemia. Those who are pregnant need at least 30 milligrams of iron each day, which can come from iron-rich foods like beef or pork liver, beans, and fortified whole-grain cereals and oatmeal. Your healthcare provider will likely keep an eye on your iron levels and prescribe an iron supplement, if necessary. Calcium is also critical for your body and your growing baby, as it not only strengthens your bones and teeth, but also helps to form and strengthen your baby’s little bones and teeth. You’ll need to get about 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day (1,300 a day if you're younger than 19). You can get this much calcium from just a few slices of whole-grain bread, or from cheese, broccoli, or yogurt. Overall, during this last trimester, you need about 450 extra calories each day, and at 29 weeks pregnant, you can expect your weight gain to be about 0.5 kilograms (one pound) each week from now until the end of your pregnancy, or approximately 5.5 kilograms (12 pounds), assuming you were in the normal BMI range before your pregnancy and that you give birth at 40 weeks. Learn more about weight gain during pregnancy.

29 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 29 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Varicose veins. If you’re noticing sore and possibly itchy blue veins bulging on your legs, these are probably varicose veins. They occur when your growing uterus puts pressure on the major veins that move blood from your lower body to your heart. You’re more likely to develop them if this isn’t your first pregnancy, or if varicose veins run in your family. Although they may look unpleasant, they’re usually not a medical problem. To relieve any discomfort, try not to sit or stand for long periods of time, and elevate your feet whenever possible to improve circulation. Wearing support hose can also help—just make sure the style you choose does not constrict at the thigh or the knee.

• Fatigue. If you’re feeling wiped out lately, know that fatigue is common at this stage of pregnancy. Your body is continuously working to nourish and support your baby at 29 weeks pregnant, which takes quite a bit of energy. You might also be finding it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Take advantage of any opportunity to rest, even if it’s just 15 minutes of shut-eye here and there. At 29 weeks pregnant, you may want to try sleeping with a pillow under your belly for support. Keep exercising, if you can, because this will help keep your energy levels up. Get more tips on how to get a good night’s sleep during pregnancy.

• Leg cramps. This is a common complaint during pregnancy, and medical experts aren't sure what causes them. Painful cramps in your calves can sometimes strike at night, interrupting your sleep. To prevent cramping at 29 weeks pregnant, or at least to ease the discomfort of this symptom, try stretching your legs before you go to bed. If a cramp does strike, flex your foot upward and then point it back down a few times. A gentle calf massage can also help.

• Shortness of breath. Seeing your new baby for the first time may take your breath away, but until that moment comes, you may experience a different type of breathing difficulty. At this stage of pregnancy, your growing uterus isn’t leaving much space for your other abdominal organs, so your stomach and diaphragm press up against your lungs. As a result, your lungs don’t have as much room to expand and you may find it hard to breathe around 29 weeks pregnant. Help your lungs get the breathing room they need by practicing good posture. To catch your breath, try to move more slowly and don’t overexert yourself. If you experience any chest pains at 29 weeks pregnant, this is a symptom not to ignore. Call your healthcare provider for advice.

• Pelvic pain. Around 29 weeks pregnant, it’s not uncommon to experience pelvic pain. This is commonly caused by the hormone relaxin during pregnancy, making the pelvic area more flexible, which can lead to pain. To help relieve discomfort, avoid standing for long periods of time and heavy lifting. You can also try some pregnancy exercises to help strengthen this area.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 29 Weeks?

Your uterus will have expanded quite a lot this month and may be midway between your navel and breasts. If your healthcare provider measures your fundal height (the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus) at 29 weeks pregnant, it could be around 29 centimetres. The size of your bump might be the cause of some discomfort at 29 weeks and throughout the third trimester. You’ll see some of the symptoms listed in the section above.

What Does 29 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For a general idea of the size of your uterus and belly in your seventh month of pregnancy, around 29 weeks pregnant, check out the image below.

29 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

Here are a few things to consider at 29 weeks pregnant and onwards:

• If you’re feeling a little stressed right about now, you may want to explore some relaxation techniques. Although some pregnancy-related stress is normal, you shouldn’t be feeling anxious every day. One way to help yourself relax is to practice prenatal yoga or meditation. Your healthcare provider can give you more information about practicing yoga safely during the last trimester. Learning how to relax your body and mind when you’re 29 weeks pregnant can help you lower your blood pressure; it can also reduce muscle tension and ease lower back pain, helping you feel more comfortable during the final stretch of your pregnancy. Other stress busters: Get a massage, write in a journal, or simply listen to your favourite music while resting.

• There are several different methods of childbirth preparation that experts say can help you through labour and delivery, among them the Lamaze, Bradley, and Read methods. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to learn more about these methods, as they can help you manage pain and anxiety during labour through relaxation techniques and controlled breathing. Taking a childbirth preparation class is a great option, as these courses often teach relaxation techniques. Ask your healthcare provider for help finding one in your area.

• Do you know where you’re scheduled to give birth yet? If yes, your hospital or birthing centre may allow you to take a tour of its facilities before your due date. This is also a great chance to plot the quickest route to the hospital and to figure out logistics like parking and entrances. If you do take a tour, you can ask hospital staff about their policies, including who is allowed in the delivery room and whether photography or videography is allowed.

• Have you decided who (if anyone) you want to be with you when you give birth? Your birth partner might be your partner or a close friend or relative. Your birth partner can do many things to support you during labour and delivery. They can keep you company, give massages, and encourage you. They can also help you use those relaxation and breathing techniques that you might have learned in your prenatal classes as well as help with communication between you and your healthcare provider, making sure your wishes are understood and helping you to feel more in control of what’s going on. It’s a good idea to discuss your preferences and feelings about your labour and delivery with your birth partner well in advance.

• Consider how you plan to handle child care after your baby is born, particularly if you and your partner will be returning to work. You're likely to have a variety of choices, from child care centers to in-home care, each with its own cost and availability factors, so it’s best to do some research and start making arrangements before your baby arrives. This will give you one less thing to worry about when you’re busy caring for your newborn. If you already have children, you may want to make arrangements for them to be looked after when you go into labour and in the first few days or weeks after your new baby comes home.

• Your baby shower hosts might be asking you for details of your gift registry so that they can send out the invitations and point guests to your registry. If you’re still finalizing your registry, check out these newborn must-haves to make sure you’ve covered all the essentials.

29 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Here are some questions you may have for your healthcare provider at 29 weeks pregnant:

• When will my baby be fully developed and ready for the outside world?

• Should I be doing kick counts? How should I do them? What should I do if my baby is not moving much at 29 weeks pregnant?

• Is it likely that I’ll need an episiotomy (a small cut in the perineum, between the vagina and anus) if I have a vaginal delivery? What exactly does this involve, and why might it be offered?

• Is a written birth plan recommended for me?

• How often will I need to come in for a checkup between now and the birth?

• Do I have any of the risk factors of preeclampsia, and what warning signs should I look out for at 29 weeks and onwards?

• Is a 3D or 4D ultrasound recommended for me at 29 weeks pregnant or at any point during this trimester?

• What are some symptoms not to ignore at 29 weeks pregnant? From 29 weeks pregnant onwards, look out for symptoms such as signs of preterm labour, vaginal bleeding, severe or persistent pain, constant headaches, or difficulty breathing. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of these.

29 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

Here are some helpful to-dos at 29 weeks of pregnancy:

• Check with your workplace about any maternity leave paperwork that you’ll likely need to complete. You might also want to create a plan for how you will gradually hand over your tasks so things aren’t left to the last minute.

• Create a shortlist of your favourite baby names. We have a variety of baby names, from international options to various themes, such as biblical, nature, and gender-neutral.

• Read up on the typical third-trimester prenatal care and ask your healthcare provider for personalized information on what checkups and tests you can expect in the coming weeks and months.

• Schedule a tour of your birth hospital or birthing center.

• Prepare your baby’s nursery with all the essentials.

• Choose or start designing a birth announcement. You might want to have traditional cards printed that you can send to your family and friends, or you might want to design an announcement to share your happy news via email or on social media.

• Wondering what to buy or to add to your baby shower registry? Check out our baby shower registry checklist for some inspiration.

• If you haven’t already and you feel up to it, consider taking a short babymoon before your little one arrives.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}