29th week of pregnancy
Share
It’s time: not only the 8th month, but also the third and final trimester of your pregnancy begins. This phase is primarily characterized by growth, and you can feel it – for you and your baby. Read here what is happening this week.
How big is your baby in the 29th week of pregnancy?
Your baby is about 26 centimeters long from head to rump this week, comparable to a broccoli. A crown-to-heel length between 30 and 39 centimeters is now normal.
29th week of pregnancy: What's changing for you
With the remaining two months, the last, more challenging phase of your pregnancy begins. Your baby will double its weight at least in the coming weeks until birth, and you will also gain some pounds. Due to the rapid growth of your baby and the increased energy needs, . At the same time, your growing uterus presses more and more on your stomach and diaphragm – the fundus is now already 10 centimeters above your navel and can be easily felt from the outside. Make sure to eat several small meals throughout the day instead of a few large ones. This relieves your stomach and helps you . If you also suffer from , ensure to include more nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and other high-fiber foods in your diet.
Preeclampsia
It is important to know that water retention alone does not necessarily indicate preeclampsia. Only in combination with other indicators such as high blood pressure and increased protein excretion in the urine do the edema point to the pregnancy-related condition. To avoid an undetected preeclampsia, which could lead to potentially life-threatening complications for you and your baby, your blood pressure and the amount of protein in your urine are closely monitored and checked at every .
The causes of preeclampsia are not yet understood, but overexertion and nutrient deficiency may contribute to the condition during pregnancy. Therefore, the symptoms that may indicate it (but do not have to) are often diffuse. Possible symptoms include:
Sudden significant weight gain
Headache, nausea, vomiting
Dizziness and visual disturbances
Seizures
Pain in the upper right abdomen
If preeclampsia is diagnosed, the treatment also depends on the respective symptoms. In mild cases, rest and relaxation are often sufficient; sometimes antihypertensive medications are also prescribed.
Just as difficult as recognizing it is preventing the disease. If you eat healthily and attend regular check-ups, you don't need to worry too much. However, in case of doubt: contact your midwife or your doctor at any time if you are experiencing unclear symptoms or if you want to learn more about the disease.
29th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby
The muscles of your baby are growing, but its range of motion in your womb is becoming increasingly limited. Therefore, over the next few weeks, your child will gradually adopt the typical embryonic position: pulling its arms and legs close to its body and lowering its chin to its chest.
The skin of your baby continues to become smoother and less translucent due to the increasing underlying fat layer. Also, its brain is now developed enough to take over the regulation of body temperature more and more. However, your child still cannot regulate its body temperature independently. The brain volume steadily increases until birth, and its nervous system continues to differentiate: When it is born, your baby will have over 100 billion brain cells. Additionally, this week the maturation of its immune system progresses. Through exchange with your blood via the uterus, a constant transfer of various antibodies occurs, which become part of your child's immune system.
This is now important
During this phase of pregnancy, leg cramps may occur more frequently. This may be due to the extra weight your legs have to carry, but also a deficiency in calcium or potassium can promote cramps. To prevent this, stretch your legs while sitting several times a day (preferably also right before going to sleep) and pull your feet towards you to stretch your calves. Additionally, you can ensure adequate intake of calcium and potassium, for example in the form of bananas, green vegetables, and dairy products.
As the due date approaches, your thoughts may be circling more and more in your mind and possibly causing you stress. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath this week, where you can unwind and relax your body. The water should not be too hot so as not to put too much strain on your circulatory system.
As the space in your belly becomes smaller, your baby's movements gradually become gentler. However, you will feel their kicks and nudges all the more intensely. ;)
Tip from LILLYDOO Midwife Sissi
Are you thinking about the first purchases for your baby or are you already in the middle of preparations? Whether you're looking for or clothing: Browsing second-hand platforms or stores is worth it. Often, you can find high-quality baby accessories in perfect condition there. Since many items are only used for a few months or even just weeks, buying second-hand parts is often the . Another advantage: potential pollutants in clothing or furniture are usually already washed out or dissipated.
With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, which also in exchange with our