Pregnancy Week 29

What’s your baby up to?

Your baby’s main developments are complete, all he does in the third trimester is grow stronger and healthier. He now weighs about 1.15kg and measures around 38.6cm long from head to toe, and will continue to plump up as the weeks go by. He is now adding about half a pound every week.

Your baby’s brain is still developing rapidly and the soft bones of his skull are expanding to accommodate the growing brain.

The soft downy hair known as lanugo continues to disappear gradually, as new white fat is being laid down under your baby’s skin. This new white fat provides warmth and energy for your precious tot.

He is taking up space in your uterus, and as a result, won’t be able to do much somersaults now; but he’s still actively stretching, jabbing, kicking and poking away.

His lungs continue to mature more and more in preparation for life outside the womb. The calcium needed for his skeletal development is being drawn from your body, as his bones continue to harden. The bone marrow has also started producing red blood cells which transport oxygen and remove waste.

How are you doing?

Your uterus is pushing on a lot of things. The pressure of your uterus pushing on your digestive system is most likely causing you heartburn and indigestion; while your sluggish digestive system is causing constipation, hemorrhoid and heartburn again. We can’t really run away from the heartburn, can we? Some extremely lucky women still manage to.

Your uterus also puts pressure on your lungs causing shortness of breath, and puts pressure on your bladder making you to pee frequently.

Ultimately, tiredness, pelvic pain, back aches, leg cramps, stretch marks, varicose veins, and swelling are some of the pregnancy niggles you can’t wait to pass by quickly.

What should you do this week?

A lot is happening in your body, and in addition to your prenatal vitamins, your diet and nutrient supply needs to be up to par:

• Your baby’s brain is developing rapidly, therefore be sure to eat food sources high in essential fatty acids like omega 3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA, ALA). Good examples are oily fish, avocado, walnuts, blueberries, eggs, green leafy vegetables, fortified juices and dairy products, etc.
• Your baby’s bones are also hardening, therefore increase your intake of calcium food sources. Good examples are milk, yogurt, cheese, oranges, leafy greens, legumes, almonds, fortified cereals, etc.
• Your body needs iron to make enough red blood cells that transport oxygen to body tissues, and the demand for iron is much higher by now due to the increased volume of blood. Avoid getting anemic by increasing your intake of iron-rich food sources like green leafy vegetables, nuts, beef, beans, eggs, whole grains, dark chocolate, etc.

Exercise regularly, and tone up your pelvic floor with kegels.

Keep up with the kick count to monitor your baby’ activity level.

Finally, stay informed, healthy and inspired, by reading  Maternity Nest. Connect with other moms-to-be for moral support, by joining your Due Date Club in the The Nest.