At 29 weeks pregnant, you’re now firmly in the third trimester, and things are getting close. You may feel awkward picking up something from the floor or standing from an exceptionally soft chair or couch. Your exercise routine may shift, especially as you can no longer touch your toes (and are worried you might topple if you tried, anyway).
Still, it’s also an exhilarating time! Your appointments are moving closer together, and you may be starting to feel like your baby is exhibiting the first signs of personality, as he has certain active and chill times. The baby is becoming increasingly aware of you as his senses develop.
Your Baby’s Development At 29 Weeks
Your baby is almost the full length he’ll be at birth at 29 weeks pregnant, though he’s still got several pounds to pack on. The average fetus at this point is about 15.5 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds. If your baby was born right now, he might look like a full-term baby in form but with wrinkly skin that’s not yet filled out.
On the inside, he’s not quite yet ready. His lungs are still growing surface area and layering on surfactant that will help them perform their functions, and his bones are finishing the hardening they must do to be ready for life in the outside world. Inside those bones, red blood cells are developing.
Mother’s Symptoms At 29 Weeks
When you reach 29 weeks pregnant, you’ve likely noticed that your body has become more physically uncomfortable, while some of the symptoms from earlier (like heartburn and a sore back) cling tightly. Many women at this stage complain of feeling awkward and heavy—and no wonder! On average, weight gain has been about 20-25 pounds, and your center of gravity and sense of balance have been thrown way off.
Meanwhile, your growing uterus puts pressure on all your other organs, causing a slate of additional symptoms. Let’s examine which symptoms may be new this week, which might be continuing, and which ones you should be concerned about.
Weight & Balance
At this point in your pregnancy, one of your biggest (no pun intended) symptoms is the weight you’re gaining. However, that comes with several other changes. It can be hard on your feet and ankles, especially if you spend a lot of the day standing. By now, you may have bought new shoes- feet can grow a size or two during pregnancy!
At the same time, hormonal changes may be causing your ligaments to loosen, leading to less stability in your joints. You may find that your knees suffer, you have pain around your hip area (pelvic girdle pain), and of course, back pain.
Most of this is entirely normal, but that doesn’t mean you must endure it disrupting your life. Low-impact exercise like swimming may help, as may support from knee braces, belly bands, and comfortable supportive shoes. However, if troubles persist or are severe, check with your doctor about other options.
Falling: Add your new center of gravity and balance struggles to the fatigue from lack of sleep, higher blood volume, and pressure on your lungs, and there’s some increased risk of falls. One meta-analysis found that around one in four women may suffer a fall during pregnancy. If you do fall, it’s a good idea to seek medical care, just in case.
Dizziness, Headaches, & Shortness of Breath
All that extra blood volume, the increased pressure on your uterus, and other factors can mean that you’re out of breath much more easily than normal. If you feel fatigued, rest. If you feel short of breath, sit or lie down until it passes.
This can also cause headaches or even a little vertigo, but severe headaches or dizziness should be reported to your doctor immediately. Any fatigue or shortness of breath coupled with chest pain should be reported to your doctor immediately. Any fainting or loss of consciousness requires medical attention.
Pain & Cramping
Carpal Tunnel: You may see some swelling in your wrists and ankles. At this point, you may notice carpal tunnel symptoms, including numbness, tingling, or crampy feelings in your hands. Your doctor may advise you to take OTC pain meds and avoid repetitive movements, or provide a splint to take pressure off the median nerve, or even recommend corticosteroid injections for more severe cases.
Leg Pain/RLS: Your legs may be sore from carrying extra weight, and you may have Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) symptoms, especially at night. Your doctor may prefer you to address this with exercise and massage, but since RLS symptoms have been linked to labor difficulties, they may recommend a vitamin supplement to help address it.
Pevlic Girdle Pain: This soreness around the hip and groin area is a typical result of the increased weight of your uterus added to the loosening of ligaments. Your doctor will likely recommend OTC meds, but check if it interferes with walking or other daily functions.
Round Ligament Pain: The round ligaments support the uterus and can be struggling to do so by this point. Shifting your body so that the burden is off these ligaments can help.
Lower Back Pain: Your spine is working hard to support this extra weight and can be sore. However, some women experience early contractions as back pains, so pay attention if you notice a rhythm.
Cramping: Leg cramps are common in pregnancy, but if you experience a sensation like menstrual cramps, check in with your doctor. It could be a sign of preterm labor or another complication.
Labor Signs
It’s still too early to bring your baby into the world if you can help it, so if you see signs of preterm labor, seek medical care. Your doctor can often stop labor and help extend your pregnancy until you are at term or closer to it.
Contractions: Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes called practice labor, are not a sign that labor is beginning. You can tell the difference between these and actual labor in key ways.
First, labor contractions can be painful. Braxton Hicks are usually not. Labor contractions steadily become more frequent and intense and don’t stop when you change position. Braxton Hicks are more random, and can ease when you lie down or change position.
If you’ve had six contractions in an hour, the NIH considers that ‘frequent,’ and you should seek medical care. Even before that threshold, though, you can call your doctor if you’re concerned, and you may be advised to go to Labor & Delivery or the ER.
Rupture of Membranes: A gush or fluid trickle may mean your water has broken. Seek immediate medical care.
Other signs & symptoms of premature labor: New and sudden back pain, nausea and vomiting, or severe diarrhea could all be signs of preterm labor. Call your doctor if you are feeling any of these signs or sudden pressure in your pelvic area.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a serious complication during pregnancy. Watch for vision changes, severe headaches, and severe swelling or any swelling that affects your chest or face or is more prominent on one side of the body. Any swelling with chest pain is serious and requires immediate medical attention.
Digestion & Cravings
Heartburn & Indigestion: These are very common in pregnancy. You can try some lifestyle changes, including drinking more water, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and not eating for a few hours before bed. Antacids like Tums and Rolaids are typically considered to be safe. Antacids that contain aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate are not.
Constipation: You can try combatting this with more fiber and fluids. Stool softeners are typically considered safe during pregnancy, but you should check with your doctor before using laxatives since they can cause contractions.
Cravings: If your cravings are for non-food items, alert your doctor. Otherwise, it’s okay to indulge them within reason. Curious about why your body si making unusual demands? Check out our pregnancy cravings guide for some tips!
Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea: These can be a sign of preterm labor or other complications. Even if you’re sure that the cause is a stomach virus or a food mistake, these symptoms can cause complications by dehydrating you, which can deplete amniotic fluid. If they persist or you have any other symptoms of dehydration, seek medical care.
Insomnia
Even if you’ve done everything you can to combat your RLS symptoms, heartburn, and stress, sleep can still be elusive during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend sleep hygiene techniques first—sleep in a cool, dark room, turn all your screens off a few hours before bed, and keep a routine.
If, despite all your best efforts, lack of sleep interferes with daytime duties and safety, talk to your doctor.
Skin & Breasts
Dark patches may appear on the skin throughout pregnancy, especially on the face and other exposed areas. These usually go away after pregnancy. If they don’t, treatments are available, but they are not typically considered safe during pregnancy, so your best bet is prevention in the form of sunscreen.
You may now see spider, varicose, or other visible veins in areas including your arms, legs, and chest. As long as there’s no pain, these are normal and may go away on their own after your baby is born.
You may also notice colostrum leaking from your breasts. This is normal, but the dampness can lead to discomfort, cause your skin to stick to your clothing, and risk infections or thrush. Using nursing pads can help. If you notice cracked or bleeding nipples, let your doctor know.
When To Contact Your Doctor
Knowing when to call the doctor, when to wait for your next appointment, and when to seek emergency care can be challenging. Calling your provider’s office and checking is always okay when in doubt. However, here are a few situations in which you should always call or seek medical care:
Signs Of Preterm Labor
If you see signs of preterm labor, you should call your doctor or seek medical care immediately. These last few weeks can seem to stretch out forever, but every week increases your baby’s preparation for thriving in the outside world.
Contractions that are consistently getting more frequent and intense are a sign of labor. The NIH defines 6 in an hour as ‘frequent,’ but you can call your doctor for fewer than that if you feel they are progressing. Your doctor or a nurse in your doctor’s office will tell you whether to head for L&D or monitor at home for additional time.
If your water breaks, it’s time to seek medical care. There may be a sudden gush of fluid or a trickle. Your doctor will discuss your options to prevent infection and keep your baby safe, including whether delivering early will be the safest option.
While your water breaking (rupture of membranes) and contractions are the two most apparent signs of labor, other things may be signs. Passing unusual vaginal discharge, or pieces of mucous plug, can be a sign that the cervix is thinning and dilating. The mucous plug can reform, and there is more of it than you may expect, so don’t panic if you see a bit (especially if it’s after an internal exam), but do check in with your doctor. Losing it would be more normal around the 37-week mark.
Lower back pain (when it’s a new symptom), pressure in the pelvic area, and severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can all be signs of preterm labor, and you should speak to your doctor.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 29 Weeks?
Your appointments are now shifting from every four weeks or once a month to every other week. These appointments can range from quick check-ins to internal exams and may occasionally include quick peeks with a portable ultrasound machine. At this point, you’ve had many routine tests during your pregnancy checkups.
You’re in the last trimester, and if you haven’t taken some of the significant steps to prepare for birth, including pre-registering at the hospital or birth center you plan to use, choosing your doula if you plan to engage one, and taking childbirth classes or other preparatory steps, it’s time to do so.
If you haven’t already, consider getting vaccinated for RSV and whooping cough in the next few weeks. These will help protect your baby.
What To Look Forward To
Over the coming weeks, you’ll receive more frequent check-ins, and time may seem to move more quickly.
Unless your doctor has scheduled a growth scan or a follow-up for anything missed in the initial anatomy scan, you’re probably done with major ultrasounds for this pregnancy. However, you may still catch quick peeks if your doctor uses the machine to check on your baby’s positioning or for other reasons. You should get to hear your baby’s heartbeat at every visit.
If you’ve planned for any fun events, like a maternity photoshoot or a baby shower, those should take up some space in your next few weeks!