Your baby at 29 weeks pregnant: Week-by-week guide to development

HerFamily

Welcome to week 29 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a butternut squash. Here’s what else you can expect this week.

Your baby

At 29 weeks, your baby is approximately 38 centimetres long and weighs about 1.2 kilograms. The little one is developing more fat under the skin, making those adorable chubby cheeks. Your baby’s senses are sharpening, with their hearing becoming more acute. They can recognise your voice, so don’t hesitate to chat with them. The lungs are preparing for that first breath, and while the brain is growing rapidly, it still has a lot of development ahead.

You

Now that you’re in the final trimester (yay!), your body will be kicking into even higher gear when it comes to practicing for the big day, meaning you’re likely to feel Braxton Hicks contractions a bit more often than you’re used to (if you’ve felt them already). Talk to your doctor about recognising the difference between Braxton Hicks and real labour contractions so you’re not caught off guard if and when they happen. You could be experiencing more frequent trips to the bathroom as your baby presses on your bladder – yes, even MORE frequent than before. Consider a maternity pillow for a better night’s sleep.

More: Top 10 Things To Do Before Baby Comes

Anything else?

Just keep up your prenatal appointments, as they are crucial for monitoring your baby’s growth and your well-being. Now’s a good time to organise the practicalities – pack your hospital bag, consider childcare for older siblings, and review your maternity leave and benefits if you haven’t already.

On the topic of your hospital bag, once you start getting together all your bits for it, suddenly it will hit home just how close you are getting to meeting your baby. Many of us pack our first hospital bag and – once in hospital and in the throws in labour – realise that things we really should have packed were left at home (Hair ties! Lip balm!) and things we could have absolutely done without (deck of cards!) were safely tucked into the bag.

More: 10 Things Your Absolutely Need To Pack In Your Hospital Bag