Your Baby at 29 Weeks Pregnant
 At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby might weigh around 2.5 pounds, and he or she may be 15 inches long from head to heel (or even longer than that.) With each week that passes, your baby is getting fatter and longer!
From 29 weeks pregnant and until you give birth, your baby's muscles and lungs continue to develop and mature. The lungs will be fully developed and ready for breathing in roughly 8 weeks – or two months.
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Fun Fact:
At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby's cycle of sleep and wake is well established. Your little one spends a majority of his or her time sleeping, and he or she has even begun to develop REM sleep (the dreaming stage of sleep). How exciting to think that your baby is dreaming! |
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Your baby's brain is developing and maturing, with billions of neurons forming each day. The surface of the brain is developing more grooves. It's no longer smooth, as it was in the earlier weeks.
Your baby's bones have developed by 29 weeks pregnant, but they are still pliable. Your baby's skull will continue to be flexible and soft until you deliver; this makes it easier for your baby to travel through the birth canal.
By 29 weeks pregnant, lanugo (fine, downy hair) completely covers your little bundle of joy's body. Since your infant doesn't have much body fat, this downy hair will insulate and regulate his or her body temperature in the womb. As your baby plumps up in the next few weeks, lanugo will begin to be shed.
Mom's Changes at 29 Weeks Pregnant
 At 29 weeks pregnant, you are probably thinking about labor and delivery and the idea of having to take care of a newborn baby. Your uterus is now 3 to 4 inches above your navel. With your huge belly and third trimester aches and pains, you definitely look and feel quite pregnant.
With the added weight and your new shape, you may notice that everyday tasks are getting quite difficult. Make sure that you pace yourself and don't overexert yourself. You need to save up your energy for your new baby. It's important that you ask for help when you need it.
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Helpful Tip:
Because constipation is a huge problem in the final trimester, make sure that you get enough fiber in your diet. You should also eat smaller meals throughout the day, since this gives your sluggish digestion more time to do its job. |
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If you haven't already, pregnancy week 29 is the perfect time to discuss your maternity leave options with your employer. If your company has more than 50 employees, you are entitled to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This law allows full-time employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid family leave after the birth of a new baby. If you don't qualify for FMLA, you should make an appointment with the human resources department to see if you can use a combination of sick days, personal days, and vacation time for your new baby.
Pregnancy Symptoms at 29 Weeks Pregnant
 At 29 weeks pregnant, you are probably feeling increasingly uncomfortable with every passing day. Backaches, fatigue, and other physical aches are a normal occurrence now that you're in your third trimester. In addition to these new discomforts, you may start to notice that older symptoms are making a comeback.
Heartburn may make its return at 29 weeks pregnant. That burning sensation in your chest that you felt in the first trimester will come back to haunt you in the third trimester. Your larger uterus is beginning to crowd the abdominal cavity, and this can cause gastric to seep back up into the esophagus. If your heartburn bothers you, try changing your diet to avoid it. This includes avoiding any food triggers, such as spicy or fattening foods. Sometimes, an over-the-counter antacid that contains calcium or magnesium can give you relief from this annoying pregnancy symptom.
Edema (swelling) may also be a problem at 29 weeks pregnant. Mild swelling or puffiness in your ankles and feet is common in the third trimester, as a result of your growing uterus and blood chemistry changes. In the third trimester, your large uterus can add pressure on your pelvic veins and the vena cava (a major blood vessel that carries blood from your legs to your heart). As a result, it's harder for blood to easily flow away your lower extremities. With sluggish blood circulation, fluid from your veins can easily get into the tissues of your feet and ankles. This leads to swelling and edema. To minimize this pregnancy symptom, try to elevate your feet whenever possible.
Hemorrhoids can accompany swelling (edema) at 29 weeks pregnant. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in your rectal area. They can be itchy and quite uncomfortable (even painful). This symptom can cause rectal bleeding during a bowel movement. To prevent hemorrhoids, make sure that you keep well hydrated and eat a high fiber diet. Constipation is one of causes of hemorrhoids, so if you can keep from being constipated, you're less likely to experience painful hemorrhoids.
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Helpful Tip:
If your hemorrhoids are itchy or causing you any pain, try applying cold compresses with witch hazel to the area. It may offer you some relief. |
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Restless leg syndrome (RLS) might start to disrupt your sleep at 29 weeks pregnant. You probably have restless leg if you experience a tingly, crawling, or burning sensation in your legs. Symptoms often start to plague you right before you fall asleep. Moving your legs gives you some relief, but you'll experience the sensations after you stop moving them. This can make it difficult for you to comfortably sleep. To give you some relief, you may ask your partner to massage your legs before you go to bed. Stretching and a warm bath may help too.
Weight Gain at 29 Weeks Pregnant
From 29 weeks pregnant and beyond, you will experience rapid weight gain. Your weight gain may be as high as 25 to 26 pounds by pregnancy week 29.
Overview on Breastfeeding
 As you begin your third trimester, you might start thinking about whether or not you want to breastfeed your newborn baby. Breastfeeding offers your baby many advantages. It is one of the most important things you can do for your baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, human milk is the best food for all newborn infants, particularly premature or sick newborn babies. The Academy recommends that, if at all possible, you breastfeed your baby for the first 12 months of life. In many countries, it isn't uncommon to breastfeed children for the first 1-3 years of life!
Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby
Why is breast milk so good for your baby? For one, it is constantly changing and adapting to your baby's needs as he grows. It is also easily digested by your baby, so it may reduce colic and spitting up. Here are some other benefits of breastfeeding:
- Breastfeeding may reduce the number of food allergies your baby is susceptible to.
- Breastfeeding provides your newborn baby with natural antibodies that help combat colds and other illnesses.
- Eczema is typically much less common in breastfeeding infants.
- Breastfeeding is free!
Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom
Breastfeeding also has many benefits for moms. Breastfeeding, for example, encourages uterine contractions that help contract the uterus after delivery, reducing a woman's risk of postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, breastfeeding may help provide natural contraception for women in the weeks following delivery. Breastfeeding may also help facilitate postpartum weight loss.
Breastfeeding may also help protect women from developing breast cancer. Many women enjoy breastfeeding because it helps establish a nurturing bond right at the time of birth. Most new mothers can start breastfeeding within minutes of giving birth!
Lactation Consultants Can Help with Breastfeeding Problems
 In some situations, it may not be possible to breastfeed. If this is the case or if you choose not to breastfeed, there are many varieties of formula available that will provide your baby with the nutrients he needs. If you have questions about breastfeeding, there are numerous resources available to help you.
Most hospitals provide new mothers with a meeting with a lactation consultant after delivery. A lactation consultant can talk with you about breast care, proper latch on, and feeding positions. A lactation consultant may also be invaluable if you find yourself having trouble during the first week or two after delivery.
Most of the soreness and pain associated with breastfeeding is due to improper positioning or latch, which is the way the baby grabs the breast. If you are having trouble you should try to schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant so that you and your baby have the opportunity to establish a healthy and successful breastfeeding relationship.
Some women prefer to breastfeed exclusively initially and then supplement with either pumped milk or formula as their baby gets older. If you plan on introducing a bottle to your newborn baby, experts recommend that you do so within 2 to 3 weeks after birth, though not before. If you wait too long your newborn baby may decide that they never want to take a bottle. If you try too soon, your baby may experience what is referred to as 'nipple confusion'. Your baby may have a hard time latching on or switching back between bottle and breast.
Remember that you are learning as much as your newborn baby in the first few weeks. If your baby doesn't seem interested in a bottle at first, try again in a few days. Eventually most babies make the transition smoothly. Introducing one bottle per day may be a nice way to include your partner in the bonding process and allow them to feed the baby once per day. You should enjoy a light nap during these times, as you will be hard pressed to get any sleep in the early weeks after your newborn baby arrives!
Breastfeeding Resources
Here are some valuable resources if you are interested in learning more about breastfeeding:
La Leche League International
Breastfeeding.com
CDC Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding Basics
When You Can't Breastfeed
In some situations, it may not be possible to breastfeed. If this is the case or if you choose not to breastfeed, there are many varieties of formula available that will provide your baby with the nutrients he needs.
Spotlight on Preterm Labor
 At pregnancy 29 weeks, you will want to educate yourself on all the signs and symptoms of preterm labor. In the United States, roughly one in ten infants are born too early (before 37 weeks pregnant). Premature newborns typically have more difficulty adjusting to life outside the womb, when compared to full-term babies.
You will want to contact your midwife or doctor if you start to experience any of the following symptoms:
- A change in your vaginal discharge – Call your doctor the consistency becomes more mucous-like, or watery. If you notice blood in your discharge, this may also signal a problem.
- Leaking from your vagina – This can be a sign that your amniotic sac has ruptured (your bag of water has broken).
- A dull backache in your lower back
- Menstrual-like cramping or abdominal cramps
- Pelvic pressure or pain – Call your midwife or caregiver if you have the sensation that your little one is pushing down.
Sometimes, your doctor can delay or halt the progress of labor with drugs to stop contractions. If you're at risk for preterm labor, your healthcare provider may place you on bed rest.
Unfortunately, sometimes there is nothing the midwife or doctor can do to stop preterm labor. Your baby will have to delivered. If your baby is born early at 29 weeks pregnant, his or her survival rate is pretty high.
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