Twenty-ninth week of pregnancy - what month is it? Is the baby's weight high at 29 weeks of pregnancy? What is the position and position of the baby at 29 weeks of pregnancy and should your baby's poor movements during this period worry you? I invite all future mothers and their relatives to read the description of the course of the 29th week of pregnancy.
29 weeks pregnant: what month is it?
The end of pregnancy and the joyful moment of holding your baby in your arms is fast approaching! Week 29 of pregnancy (28.1-29 weeks) is the 7th month, marking the beginning of the third trimester of this unforgettable pregnancy period. Only 11 weeks remain until delivery, a full 40 weeks of pregnancy, but a pregnancy is considered full-term from week 37.
From that time on, all of the baby's organs are prepared to function independently outside the mother's womb.
Problems in the 29th week of pregnancy: the belly grows, the heartburn burns, and the legs swell
Every expectant mother goes through a slightly different pregnancy and this is completely normal. At 29 weeks of pregnancy, the mother's weight may show about 7-8 kg more than before conception, but how much you gain during pregnancy depends on several factors, including on your starting weight and the lifestyle you lead.
By the 29th week of pregnancy, the belly is already quite large, growing by an average of about 1 cm per week. This is not without reason. The expectant mother is growing because the baby in her belly is now gaining the most weight, preparing to meet the world.
During the 29th week of pregnancy, the forums of many websites are bursting at the seams with ailments complained about by future mothers, including:
- heartburn (especially in the evening, lying down);
- nausea;
- swelling of the legs that makes it impossible to wear pre-pregnancy shoes;
- or increased amount of vaginal discharge.
Proven methods for ailments in the 29th week of pregnancy
Heartburn
For heartburn, herbal infusions such as mint, chamomile or adding a little ginger and honey to warm water are recommended. In the 29th week of pregnancy, the baby's weight causes the enlarged uterus to oppress e.g. on the stomach and intestines, so to avoid nausea and heartburn, it is worth eating more often, but smaller portions. It is also good to avoid fatty and very spicy dishes. If your gastric problems persist, discuss them with your healthcare provider who can offer mild, pharmacological solutions to the problems.
Swelling of the legs
In the 29th week of pregnancy, photos of expectant mothers often show their swollen legs as well. Here, it may be helpful to raise the lower limbs while sitting and lying down, e.g. legs on additional pillows or a chair.
Increased amount of vaginal discharge
When it comes to excessive vaginal discharge, you don't need to worry about them as they protect the uterus and baby from potential infections. If they have a slimy consistency and a slightly whitish color, you're fine. Wear cotton, airy underwear, and if necessary, use panty liners that you can conveniently change during the day. If your vaginal discharge has a strange color / smell at the 29th week of pregnancy and you feel itchy intimate areas, be sure to inform your doctor about it.
29th week of pregnancy: baby's weight and size
In the third trimester, a baby's weight and body mass are strongly influenced by its unique combination of genes and environmental factors. Therefore, each baby grows at its own individual pace during this time. However, by the 29th week of pregnancy, the baby's weight has reached normal levels, defined in so-called percentile charts . During each ultrasound, the gynecologist determines whether your baby falls within the specified range.
After 20 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor determines the weight of the unborn baby (EFW - estimated child's weight) quite roughly, guided by the length of the femoral and humerus bones, the circumference of the head and the abdominal cavity of the fetus. After marking the measurements on the percentile mesh, the gynecologist will inform the future parents if everything is okay with the child.
If you're wondering, "We're already 29 weeks pregnant, how much does the baby weigh?" we've got you covered. At this stage, the baby's body weighs approximately 1,30-1,40 kg, measuring approximately 39 cm in length.
Baby movements in the 29th week of pregnancy
During this time, the little one focuses most of their energy on sleeping and gaining weight. The appropriate layer of fat after birth is designed to provide the tiny body with basic thermal protection. The baby has less and less space in the mother's belly. Therefore, their movements may feel like a firm nudge to you , especially when you remain still, for example, sitting or lying down. This is because when the mother-to-be is active, the baby is gently rocked in the belly and falls asleep. They wake up when their mother decides to rest.
Should you be concerned about your baby's poor movements at 29 weeks pregnant?
Due to the reduced space in the uterus, the baby may be slightly less active, and remember that he or she sleeps a lot. From 28 weeks, you can count fetal movements, ideally three times a day, after main meals. Lie on your left side (the most recommended position) and start counting. Within an hour, the expectant mother should register 10 baby movements. If movements are counted sooner, you can end the observation before the hour is up. If your baby's activity is causing you significant concern (lack of a specific frequency or a significant increase), always seek medical advice.
Positioning the baby in the 29th week of pregnancy: we explain the difference between the position and the position of the fetus
When it comes to the baby's position at 29 weeks of pregnancy, expectant mothers who search online usually mean the fetus's position. They wonder if their baby's head is pointing towards the birth canal (cephalic position) or if the buttocks are the leading part (breech position) . Remember that the baby can turn (especially from a breech position) even a few days before the estimated due date. The fetus can also be oblique or transverse.
When we talk about the position of the baby in the uterus , we describe the relationship of the fetal parts to each other, e.g. the flexion or extension of the head.
If, in your 29th week of pregnancy, you experience lower abdominal pain from time to time, know that it can be caused by a slight pressure of the baby's head on the symphysis (gravity). If the symptoms are very painful, e.g. they resemble severe menstrual pain, be sure to consult a doctor.
We are already 29 weeks pregnant: what does the baby look like?
In the third trimester, many parents begin to wonder more about who their little one will resemble. Will they be more like their father, their mother, or perhaps they'll inherit their grandfather's nose? An ultrasound at 29 weeks of pregnancy, especially one performed in 3D or even 4D , can be very helpful in more accurately visualizing their baby's facial features. Not every gynecologist's office has the equipment to perform such a multidimensional ultrasound, so it's worth checking before your appointment if it will be possible.
It is also worth knowing that 3D and 4D ultrasound is usually additionally payable, and sometimes its price is already included in the cost of a private gynecological and obstetric visit. The photo of the child taken during the examination allows to recognize his facial features, which is very valuable for future parents, especially daddies.
Having a three- or four-dimensional ultrasound performed at 29 weeks of pregnancy will be a unique reminder of your pregnancy, but it's important to remember that it's not necessary for clinical reasons. At 29 weeks, it's also worth scheduling or undergoing a third-trimester ultrasound , which, according to the Polish Gynecological Society (PTGiP), is performed between 28 and 32 weeks.
Consultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
