29 weeks pregnant: your guide to pregnancy symptoms, your baby’s development, and more

At 29 weeks pregnant, you’re well over halfway through your pregnancy - not long now until you meet your baby. It’s another week of significant developments for your baby as their organs continue to mature and put on the fat they need.

For you, tiredness and exhaustion may well be something you’re dealing with, as well as feeling up and down emotionally as you approach your due date.

From common 29 weeks pregnant symptoms to keeping track of your baby’s movements, let’s take a closer look at what’s going on this week.

For your baby, the next few weeks are all about putting on weight and letting their organs mature¹. During the third trimester, your baby’s brain will go through a rapid period of growth and development², and their lungs start to form the structure they need to breathe in the outside world³.

Your baby is increasingly active now, kicking, rolling and tumbling around in your womb, and their movements may have fallen into a predictable pattern. Many babies are more active at night, so don’t be surprised if your baby’s sleep patterns don't match your own - they tend to keep their own schedule!¹.

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a butternut squash, and measures approximately 28.6 cm in length¹.

Your baby at 29 weeks is perfectly formed, resembling the little person you’ll get to meet in around 11 weeks' time. The greasy layer of white vernix that’s been covering their body in the womb is starting to disappear now, along with the fine downy hair known as ‘lanugo’¹.

You might be feeling increasingly tired at 29 weeks pregnant - after all, you're carrying the extra weight of your growing baby. In addition, pregnancy hormones, strange dreams, your baby’s movements and finding a comfortable position can make getting a good night’s sleep a bit of a challenge^4,1. 

Our top tip? Rest whenever you get the opportunity and try putting a pillow between your legs and another one under your bump. During your third trimester, you’re advised to sleep on your side, as this helps with the flow of oxygen that your baby needs⁴.

From leg cramps and restless legs to heartburn and breathlessness, let’s take a look at some common 29 weeks pregnant symptoms.

You should start to feel your baby move when you’re anywhere between 16 and 24 weeks pregnant¹¹. It’s a very unique feeling, with some women describing it as a ‘fluttering’ or ‘swirling’.

Every baby is different, and there’s no set number of times you should feel your baby move each day. You don’t need to count your baby’s kicks. You should focus instead on getting to know their individual patterns of movement and remember that you’ll continue to feel your baby moving right up until and even during your labour¹¹. 

Contact your Maternity Assessment Unit for advice immediately if¹¹:

• You can no longer feel your baby’s movements.
• Your baby is moving less than they usually do.
• You notice a change to your baby’s usual movement pattern.

Vitamin K helps the body to clot blood, allowing you to heal from wounds and prevent excessive bleeding¹².

Although only required in small amounts, vitamin K is important for a healthy diet, and as an adult, including during your pregnancy, you need around 1 mcg of vitamin K each day per kg of your body weight¹¹.

The ‘good’ bacteria that live in your gut can make small amounts of vitamin K, but you’ll get the amount you need from a healthy, balanced diet. It’s found in green leafy vegetables (for example, broccoli and spinach), cereal grains, and vegetable oil¹³.

When they’re born, babies have very little vitamin K, and, although rare, this can lead to something called ‘Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding’. Because this condition is challenging to spot, it’s recommended that all babies receive an injection of vitamin K at birth. Your midwife will discuss this with you during your antenatal appointments, after which Vitamin K can be added to your birth plan¹².

While it might be easier said than done, it’s important to take care of yourself, not just now, but at every stage of your pregnancy. 

At 29 weeks pregnant, some women find that pregnancy hormones cause them to feel a whole range of emotions. It might also be that you’re feeling anxious about your labour and birth, as well as becoming a parent. It’s a big life change, and these feelings are completely normal whether this is your first, second or even third baby. As Seb’s mum says: ‘As my third trimester got underway, I felt as though I was on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was excited and impatient to meet my baby. The next I was worrying about how I’d cope and what my birth would be like. Ultimately, everything will be OK, just remember to lean on those around you for support, and always accept any offers of help.’

By now, you should have been offered the RSV vaccine to protect you and your baby against bronchiolitis. This is usually given at week 28 of your pregnancy, but it can be given right up until your labour starts. If you haven’t had it yet and would like more information, speak to your midwife as soon as you can¹.

You’ll also be offered the whooping cough vaccine, which should be given before week 33 of your pregnancy. Again, speak to your midwife about this if you haven’t already¹.

Now that you’re in your third trimester, your body needs an extra 200 calories per day - the equivalent of around two slices of wholemeal bread. There’s still no need to eat for two, so continue to eat a healthy and balanced diet with a variety of different foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables¹.

Doing some gentle exercise during pregnancy can also help you to maintain a healthy weight, as well as prepare for labour and birth¹⁴.

Your labour is considered premature if it starts before 37 weeks, and you should contact your midwife or maternity assessment if you have¹⁵:

• A trickle or gush of fluid from your vagina (this could be amniotic fluid and a sign that your waters have broken). 
• Pain similar to that you get when you have your period. 
• Contractions or tightenings that are happening regularly. 

Your baby at 29 weeks is considered ‘viable’, meaning that if they’re born now, they’re able to survive. However, they’ll most likely need specialist support from the neonatal unit at the hospital. Recognising signs of premature labour early is very important so you can get medical advice and help quickly¹⁵.

If you could see your baby now, they’d look like a baby, as all of their features are now fully formed. However, your baby still has some growing to do, and their organs are busy maturing.

By now, your baby may be in the head-down position, ready for birth. If they’re not, there’s still plenty of time for this to happen, and your midwife will continue to check the position of your baby at your antenatal appointments. If your baby hasn’t turned head down by around 36 weeks, your midwife and obstetrician will discuss your options for delivery with you to ensure that your baby is born safely¹⁶.

To help your baby get into the head-down position, try sitting on a birth ball or going for a gentle swim. Whilst there are no guarantees that exercise will help, unless your midwife or doctor advises otherwise, there’s nothing to stop you from giving it a go! 

When you decide to pack your hospital bag is entirely up to you. However, if you’re someone who likes to be organised, then packing the things you need at least 3 weeks before your due date can help you to feel ready for labour and birth. 

Braxton Hicks, also known as ‘false’ contractions, happen when your uterus contracts and relaxes to get ready for labour and birth. They’re not usually painful and don’t last for very long, feeling like a tightening across the stomach¹⁷.

Not all women experience Braxton Hicks, and it’s easy to mistake them for the real thing. That’s why if you’re unsure about any pain or discomfort you’re feeling, it’s always best to speak with your midwife.