29 Weeks Pregnant

February 18, 2012 jamie marsch Pregnancy Week by Week, 0

Week 29 of Pregnancy

29 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you’ve reached your 29th week of pregnancy your baby will really start packing on the pounds. By now your baby will be about 3 pounds and 17 inches long. Over the course of the next 11 weeks of pregnancy your baby will double, if not triple her total body weight before being ready for birth.

As your baby grows your womb will become tighter and what used to be kicks and taps will turn into elbows and knees being thrown like your womb is in a bar fight. At 29 weeks pregnant you should begin taking some time every day to count kicks. Lying down will help as babies tend to kick more when mommy is lying on her side. Count any kicks or other movements for a full hour once or twice a day.

If you count less than 10 kicks or movements during a one hour period you may want to try having a snack and trying again. The extra glucose will pump your baby up for some action. If you fail to count 10 kicks within an hour period consistently you may want to contact your physician for a checkup.

Your Body at 29 Weeks Pregnant

At 29 weeks pregnant you may begin to notice something you’ve never seen before on your body, varicose veins. Varicose veins are just swollen blood vessels and are completely harmless to you or your baby. You’re more likely to get varicose veins if they run in your family, so you can thank grandma if you happen to get some.

Fortunate there are a few things you can do to help prevent these unsightly veins. Watching your weight and exercising can keep your blood flowing and help to prevent the formation of varicose veins. You should also avoid heavy lifting which can actually cause them.

This week you may experience some minor aches and swelling in the body but it shouldn’t be too extreme. Over the next few months your baby will begin to move into position to be born which can ultimately lead a little bit more discomfort, especially in your pelvis. A healthy diet and exercise are usually extremely helpful for preventing and treating pain and discomfort during pregnancy.

29 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

• Cramping / Abdominal Pain – Having some abdominal pain and discomfort occasionally during pregnancy is a normal thing, however, persistent abdominal pain could be the sign of a more serious problem. If you experience abdominal pain and cramping along with spotting, discharge, or flu like symptoms then you should contact your doctor immediately. Abdominal pain can be caused by an ectopic pregnancy (fertilized egg implants outside the uterus), placental abruption (placenta separates from the uterus), preeclampsia (high blood pressure and swelling) or even preterm labor.
• Contractions – While contractions may certainly be a sign of preterm labor, Braxton hicks contractions are completely normal, especially for women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions are your body’s way of preparing for labor. They may feel similar to a real contraction although they are generally painless and only last about 1-2 minutes total. You can experience Braxton Hicks contractions at any point during your pregnancy however they become stronger as your pregnancy progresses.
• Cant Sleep – Insomnia can affect pregnant women throughout the course of their pregnancy, however, quality of sleep quickly declines in the third trimester. Women who are 29 weeks pregnant enjoy less time in a deep sleep and are known to wake up more often while they’re sleeping. Pressure on your bladder will inevitably have you getting up a few times a night for a trip to the bathroom. Other sleep stealers include heartburn, snoring and even leg cramps.
• Carrying Low – Of course there’s an old wives tale about how carrying low means you will be giving birth to a boy. Although this has never been scientifically proven there does seem to be some empirical evidence to suggest that this may be true or at least increase your likelihood for having a boy. Carrying low is normal and if you are carrying low you should actually consider yourself lucky. Women who carry higher will have a much harder time breathing and catching their breath due to the extra pressure on their lungs and diaphragm.
• Tired – If you have a busy life you may often feel exhausted at the end of the day in your third trimester of pregnancy. Like I mentioned above, women in their third trimester suffer from a much lower quality of sleep which can easily leave them feeling tired and run down all day. Being tired at 29 weeks pregnant should be expected. Light exercise and periods of rest during the day can help you feel less tired. Caffeine is known to raise your blood pressure and heart rate so it isn’t recommended during pregnancy although studies have shown that a moderate amount of caffeine (150-300mg, or about a cup of coffee’s worth) will not have any negative effects on pregnancy.
• Nausea and Vomiting – Up to 20% of women still be throwing up and experiencing nausea at 29 weeks pregnant. Although most women will only experience nausea in the first two trimesters some women will experience nausea and vomiting right up until the point when they finally give birth. Some women will experience no nausea at all until their third trimester. Nausea can also be brought on if mommy is sick the flu which would be accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever and body aches. Nausea may also be the symptom of a more serious condition, so if your nausea becomes persistent you should definitely contact your health care provider.
• Constipation – Unfortunately constipation can be a fact of life through the entire pregnancy of many women, especially those who suffer from constipation outside of pregnancy as well. The best thing you can do is drink plenty of water, eat tons of fiber and do some light cardio to help get the bowels moving. Prunes, raisins, salads, fruit, fruit juices and even beans are good to eat if you’re constipated.
• Diarrhea – Diarrhea can be a perfectly normal party of pregnancy for some women. Some say that it’s a reaction to your body getting ready to give birth. If you don’t have any other flu like symptoms then diarrhea shouldn’t be a problem. Just remember to drink plenty of fluids to replenish your body and talk to your doctor if it lasts more than a few days.
• Discharge – Some women may notice an increase in spotting and vaginal discharge throughout their third trimester of pregnancy. If the flow is heavy you should consult with your doctor immediately. As you approach your due date you may notice the discharge becoming thick, clear and may have a slight blood tinge to the color. This may be your mucus plug which is an indication you will be going into labor shortly. If you notice a rush of water along with the discharge it may even you’re your water has broken, although only about 10% of women experience their water breaking before contractions begin.
• Dizzy & Light Headed – It’s not a rare occurrence to feel dizzy or lightheaded during your pregnancy. Your cardiovascular system is really put to the test during your pregnancy as the amount of blood in your body increases by almost 50%. As your pregnancy progresses your blood pressure will fluctuate which can sometimes lead to dizzy spells. If you get dizzy to the point of fainting it may indicate a more serious problem and you should call your doctor immediately.
• Emotional – As you enter your third trimester you may find that the happy, euphoric feelings you had in your previous two trimesters are beginning to disappear. Don’t worry, it’s 100% normal to feel a little more cranky or on edge when you’re 29 weeks pregnant. You may experience extreme urges to clean which is called nesting. As you near the end of your pregnancy you may begin to feel more nervous and in need of something to control which makes cleaning and organizing a popular activity for mommies to be.
• Headaches – Headaches are by far the most common complaint among mothers who are 29 weeks pregnant. Although headaches may be a common symptom during any stage of pregnancy they are especially common in your third trimester. Fatigue, low blood sugar, dehydration, stress and even caffeine withdrawals can play a role in your headaches. Some women who regularly experience migraine headaches may experience more during pregnancy while some may actually experience less. You should always talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking for migraine headaches during pregnancy.
• Hip Pain – If you have a low lying placenta hip and back pain can be quite intense especially as you move into your 29th week of pregnancy. You can perform a helpful exercise to help relieve your pain. Get down on all 4s with your knees and elbows on the floor. Lower your head down to your arms as far as you can comfortably and slowly rock your hips left and right. This helps stretch your hips and back as well as encourages your baby to move up a little to make mommy more comfortable.
• Hard Belly – Most of the time a hard belly is simply the sign of Braxton Hicks Contractions. These contractions help prepare you for labor by forcing your abdominal muscles to contract then release shortly after. While your muscles are contracted you may have a hard belly. If your belly is hard for an extended period of time or you experience more than 8 Braxton Hicks contractions in one hour you should call your doctor.
• Indigestion – Indigestion and heartburn aren’t normally a sign for concern. As your baby grows larger she will put my pressure on your stomach which can lead to all sort of gastrointestinal discomfort and pain. To avoid heartburn and indigestion avoid fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, and garlic, especially before bed. Also avoid large meals and eating quickly.
• Leg Cramps – As you gain weight during your pregnancy you will begin to make your legs work harder which can lead to cramps. You can avoid leg cramps during pregnancy by avoiding standing or sitting with your legs crossed, staying hydrated and getting enough rest. You can stretch your calf muscles daily to help prevent cramping. You can also take a walk or take a warm bath to help relax leg muscles.
• Lower Back Pain – Back pain is extremely common during pregnancy. The extra weight in your belly can cause your center of gravity to shift placing more weight on your lower back. Practicing good posture and sleeping on your side can help to alleviate back pain. Stretching and massage can also help to alleviate the pain in your back.

Extreme Swelling

If you are experiencing extreme swelling you may have preeclampsia which is a blood disorder that may occur during pregnancy, especially for first time mothers. The symptoms of preeclampsia are a higher than usual blood pressure and extreme swelling in the feet and hands (Think “OMG What Happened to My Hands?!”). Other symptoms may include headaches, visual distortion and abdominal pain.

Preeclampsia can be dangerous if not identified and treated. It can cause stroke, seizures and in extreme cases may be fatal to the fetus. Magnesium sulfate can be used to help prevent seizures and mothers 29 weeks pregnant with preeclampsia may have the option of inducing labor as the survivability rates become quite high in the third trimester.

Ultrasound Video

Here is an example of an ultrasound at 29 weeks pregnant. In the beginning is the standard ultrasound followed by a 4D ultrasound video.

29 Weeks Pregnant Kick Chart

At 29 weeks pregnant it’s important to start routinely counting your baby’s kicks. To count kicks you can lay on your side or even sift in a nice comfy chair. Over the course of an hour count the number of times your baby kicks, swirls or makes any kind of noticeable movement. Just remember, babies sleep too. If your baby isn’t very active you can try to eat a small snack to help raise blood sugar levels. If you don’t record at least 10 movements per hour consistently you should consult with your physician.

You can print out this chart to record the number of kicks you feel during each session. Put an X in the box under “10 kicks” if you feel 10 or more kicks during any given hour.

To print click on the image to view full size and then select “File” and “Print” like you would with any other document.

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