29 weeks pregnant
At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a butternut squash: around 38.6 cm head to heel and 1.15 kg. Muscles and lungs keep maturing, and kicks get stronger.
Your baby at 29 weeks
Muscles and lungs keep maturing, and kicks get stronger.
| Size | About the size of a butternut squash |
|---|---|
| Length | 38.6 cm head to heel |
| Weight | 1.15 kg |
Your baby's muscles and lungs keep maturing, and the head is growing to make room for the developing brain. The bones are taking in lots of calcium, so make sure you are getting enough. Kicks and jabs are getting stronger, and you might see your tummy move from the outside. Your baby can respond to changes in light and sound.
How far along are you at 29 weeks?
At 29 weeks pregnant you are in the seventh month of your pregnancy and the third trimester. You have about 11 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 29 weeks your baby has been growing for about 27 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 29 weeks
Breathlessness and practice contractions (Braxton Hicks) are common. Sleep on your side and get to know your baby's pattern of movements.
Common symptoms at 29 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Constipation and piles. Keep up fibre and fluids.
- Varicose veins. Avoid standing still for long; raise your legs when resting.
- Heartburn. Very common in the third trimester.
- Tiredness. It often returns in the third trimester.
- Frequent weeing. Your baby is pressing on your bladder.
- Strong kicks. You may see your bump move.
Your checklist for week 29
- Make sure you are getting enough calcium from dairy, such as milk, yoghurt (dahi), cheese and paneer, or fortified alternatives.
- Tour your hospital's maternity unit if you can.
- Confirm your maternity leave start date with your employer.
- Plan how you will get to the hospital, day or night.
- Keep tracking your baby's movements.
Tip of the week: Calcium for strong bones
Your baby's skeleton is hardening quickly. Aim for around three portions of calcium-rich food a day: a glass of milk, a bowl of yoghurt or raita, a matchbox-sized piece of cheese or paneer, or fortified soya milk. Sardines with bones, almonds, sesame seeds and green leafy vegetables also help. Ask your doctor before taking calcium tablets.
For your partner
Third trimester. Time to learn the tools.
- Learn the warning signs and when to call
- Install the car seat
- Join an antenatal class together
When to call your doctor at 29 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Intense itching, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, often worse at night. This can be intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition that needs a blood test.
- Your baby is moving less, or any bleeding or fluid.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes, or fewer baby movements.
Questions about 29 weeks pregnant
Is itching normal in the third trimester?
Mild itching of your stretching bump is common. Intense itching without a rash, especially on your hands and feet and worse at night, can be a sign of obstetric cholestasis. It needs a blood test and close monitoring, so tell your doctor promptly.
What if my baby is breech at 29 weeks?
Many babies are bottom-first at this stage and most turn head-down by 36 weeks. If your baby is still breech at 36 weeks, you may be offered a procedure called ECV to turn them, or a planned caesarean.
How much should my baby kick at 29 weeks?
Your baby should move regularly every day, right up to and during labour. There is no magic number. Get to know your baby's own pattern and call your maternity unit the same day if it slows down or changes.