29 Weeks Pregnant
Greetings! You are now in the third and last trimester of pregnancy and weight gain is what you and your little one are busy with right now. The last few weeks of pregnancy are going to be pretty busy for you as you prepare for the new arrival, so keep your food intake good and have high calorie but healthy foods. You are now 29 weeks pregnant and your baby is as big as a butternut squash and weighs around 1.2 kilograms and is 15.2 cm tall already. By full term the weight will be somewhere around 2.5 to 3 kg.
How Your Baby is Growing This Week?
The baby’s kicks and punches are gradually getting stronger and less frequent as weeks go by because the space inside the uterus is getting cramped up. By the last trimester, the position gets fixed and it is unlikely for the baby to turn around completely after this stage. It is now essential for you to keep a check on the number of movements you are feeling. You can feel hiccups distinctly now as rhythmic jerks over the abdomen. If the numbers of movements are less, have some chilled water and lie down. It will surely trigger a reaction and you will be able to feel it. Feeling those movements are one of the best things that you experience when having a baby.
Your baby’s weight will double or even triple over the next 11 weeks that is full term. The fat that is being deposited now is white fat (the fat that adults have) which serves as a source of energy to the baby. In the early weeks, the baby had layers of brown fat which served the important purpose of temperature regulation.
The brain is developing each week and forming millions of newer connections. The parts of the brain dealing with the personality and intelligence are forming this week. From a little baby to an individual with a unique personality, this is what makes week 29 of your pregnancy very important. All through this time it will be you who will nurture and mold him. Taking your daily dose of omega 3 fatty acids is known to help and boost brain development.
The lungs are forming surfactant that will help to inflate the cells when the baby takes its first breath. All this is in preparation for the journey that will begin after birth.
Changes in Your Body at 29 Weeks Pregnant
As you leave behind the early pregnancy symptoms and enter the last trimester of pregnancy, you will find yourself troubled by some irritating symptoms like acidity and hemorrhoids.
By the end of the second trimester (use a pregnancy calculator to know your exact pregnancy week), the baby has grown big and top of the uterus is above the belly button due to which the abdominal organs are pushed upwards making you more prone to getting acidity and heartburn (a few early signs of pregnancy which return). Also, the progesterone hormone slows down the digestion process making you more gassy and constipated. It becomes very important at this stage to follow all dietary guidelines like small meals, fiber rich food, lots of water and regular walking. You now sport a prominent pregnant belly.
You will notice these days that your nipples are leaking a sticky, yellowish liquid which is called colostrum. This is also called as the “fore milk” it is the first milk your baby will receive after birth. It is thick in consistency and very rich in immunoglobulin and antibodies. It provides the baby with a boost of immunity which is very important for a healthy life.
In case you are troubled with anxiety about the baby, relax as it is a normal symptom of being pregnant and you should reassure yourself that systematic medical management of your pregnancy is best for you and the baby and everything will be alright.
Week 29 Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of pregnancy change as weeks go by and the development advances. They also vary in all pregnant women. This week you are likely to notice the following signs of pregnancy but the intensity will differ from person to person.
- Cramps in lower limbs
- Headaches and migraines
- Clumsiness and change in gait
- Forgetfulness
- Acidity and heartburn
- Constipation
- Anxiety about the baby
- Back pain
- Dry and itchy skin
- Round ligament pains
- Oedema of hands and feet
- Breathlessness on exertion
- Varicose veins and hemorrhoids
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Stretch marks
- Breast engorgement
- Yellowish discharge from the nipple
- Food cravings
- Increased pigmentation
- Linea Nigra
- Frequent urination
- Mood changes
- Recognizing a pattern in the baby’s movements
- Weight gain
Pregnancy cramps are commonly seen. They occur mainly due to varicose veins and mild electrolyte imbalances. Diet rich in potassium and stretching exercises should help relieve them well.
Diagnostic Tests and Ultrasound Results in Week 29 of Pregnancy
This week the baby is likely to be in the head down position. By the third trimester most babies adopt this birthing position. Gradually towards the end of the pregnancy, the head enters the pelvis and gets fixed and that is the time you are ready for delivery. All these changes can be picked up by a sonogram in the weeks to come.
Your baby will be actively moving although the movements may have gotten lesser. The cord and placenta and heart rate are normally checked in every visit.
The patients who complain of reduced fetal movements, may need a test called NST (Fetal Non Stress Test) where the fetal movements are systematically monitored in response to a stimulation.
Pregnancy Health Tips
- With a growing belly, your regular clothes maybe getting tighter. Invest in some good loose fitting maternity wear which are big as you still have 11 weeks to go.
- Have a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acid as it aids in good brain development. Fish oils and flax seeds are rich sources of DHA.
- Take plenty of water to avoid constipation.
- Coconut water is rich in potassium and will be helpful in controlling leg cramps. Also make sure you sit with your legs well supported. It is also not advisable to stand for long hours.
- If you are working, then you should start planning your maternity leave and apply for the same.
- Stock up on baby diapers and other essential things which you would need from the very first day of your baby’s arrival.
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