Week 29
of pregnancy

At 29 weeks pregnant, you may be feeling both happy and anxious as you prepare for your baby's arrival. Read on to learn about the amazing progress your baby is making, as well as what's going on with your growing belly and how to manage the symptoms you might experience at 29 weeks. Whether you’re a first-time parent or seasoned pro, we’ll provide valuable insight into the 29th week of pregnancy.

Highlights at 29 Weeks Pregnant

Before delving into the details, check out some highlights of being 29 weeks pregnant:

• At 29 weeks, your baby’s major developments are complete, and your little one will continue growing and gaining weight to prepare themselves for the big wide world.

• Now might be a good time to start your kick counts! Your little one may be moving around more often right now.

• Your growing bump might be causing some discomfort and fatigue around 29 weeks, but remember, you’re in the home stretch now!

• If you’re still collecting baby names this week, check out our Baby Name Generator below for some inspiration:

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 your 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. To help you count your baby’s kicks, download our fetal movement tracker.

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

How Many Months Is 29 Weeks Pregnant?

Wondering what 29 weeks pregnant is in months? 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 two and a half pounds and measure around 15 inches 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 one pound each week from now until the end of your pregnancy, or approximately 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.

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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, 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.

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 centimeters.

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 favorite music while resting.

• There are several different methods of childbirth preparation that experts say can help you through labor 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 labor 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. We also offer some free online childbirth education videos that you can access anytime.

• Do you know where you’re scheduled to give birth yet? If yes, your hospital or birthing center 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 may be a close friend or relative. Your birth partner can do many things to support you during labor 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 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 labor 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 labor and in the first few days or weeks after your new baby comes home.

• Your baby shower hosts may 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?

• What are some symptoms at 29 weeks pregnant, or beyond, that I should definitely call you or another healthcare provider about?

• 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?

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

_{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.}