Week by Week Pregnancy Guide – Week 29 of your pregnancy

Varicose veins and haemorrhoids can cause discomfort, but counting your baby's kicks will help you wade through the woes cheerfully.

Now that you have entered your third trimester, you might feel that all your previous woes are returning with vengeance. Symptoms that would be noticeable during this week are constipation, heartburn, backache and oedema just to name a few. Apart from this, there are some new symptoms that you might notice this week.

Here is what happens to you during this week of your pregnancy

Varicose veins: For many expectant mothers, varicose veins are a painful affair during pregnancy. Like many other pregnancy induced problems, these bulging veins are harmless and will settle soon after delivery. As your uterus expands, it puts pressure on the veins running down your limbs that result in varicose veins. Apart from this, increased blood flow and hormonal changes all contribute towards the formation of these purple-coloured veins on your legs.

Haemorrhoids and rectal pain: If you have escaped the pains of haemorrhoids, you are lucky. But if you have developed them in your earlier weeks, you are in for more pain now. This is because, as your uterus grows it puts more pressure on the pelvic area. This makes the veins in the area swell and lead to haemorrhoids. This week it might just get worse. At times, this could lead to bleeding and intolerable pain. Seek medical help if it s bothering you too much. Here are some simple tips to combat common pregnancy problems.

Mood swings: The infamous hormonal surges can now result in mood swings that can be very disturbing for both, you and your loved ones. You might feel fatigued too often as you have gained enough weight (around 10 kg or more) which can further dampen your spirits. Here is what you need to know about pregnancy weight gain.

Skin irritation: Skin rashes can become intense during this week. Itchiness, dryness and rashes can show up on the folds of your skin. Keep yourself moisturised enough to counter these problems.

Development of your baby

Here is what happens to your baby this week:

Your baby s major organs and brain are developing: As you are now into your third trimester and your body is preparing for labour, your baby s major organs lungs, kidneys, heart are also nearing their final stages of development. Your baby s brain is also developing with more neurons being added to it every day.

You baby s movements are more rapid: This week your baby will be moving more, nudging you with its elbows and palms, apart from stretching its limbs inside the womb. However, as you near labour, these movements will become less due to lack of space in the womb.

Your baby s permanent teeth are forming: Your baby s teeth buds were formed weeks ago, but now is the time for the permanent teeth buds to take its position in the gums.

Your baby gets fat deposited under the skin: Your baby s outer skin is getting smoothened as more fats get deposited under the skin by now. This fat is called brown fat, which is different from white fat that your baby got just two weeks ago. While the brown fat deposits help to regulate body temperature, white fat serves as energy reserves.

This week your baby can weigh about 1000 to 1300 g and measure around 400 to 450 mm from crown-to-rump approximately.

What you should do:

• Go through all your blood and sonography reports with a critical eye and discuss with your doctor about your labour and pregnancy in detail. In case you have a Rh negative factor in the blood, you should get an anti-D injection to combat the incompatibility with your fetus. Keep in mind you should get injected before you reach your third trimester. Here are five things you should ask your gynaecologist during your antenatal visit.

• Start preparing your maternity bag. It might sound too early, but know the earlier you start, the better. This is because you never know when it is time for labour in the last weeks of your pregnancy. Here are 23 things that you should be putting inside your maternity bag.

• To tackle haemorrhoids and constipation, make sure you eat foods rich in fibre and drink adequate water throughout the remaining weeks. Here is your ultimate diet guide for pregnancy.

• Start counting your baby s kicks. This is a great way of bonding with your baby and knowing about its well-being inside the womb. Here are a few interesting facts that you should know about your baby's kicks.

• Keep exercising to boost your circulation. This alone can take care of many pregnancy woes like oedema, fatigue, constipation and ensure a good night s sleep.

• Make it a point to eat six small meals throughout the day. Remember hunger pangs might get the better of you at this stage as your growing baby needs more nutrients and nourishment. A planned diet will help you to eat healthy and stay away from unhealthy fatty foods and other cravings.

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Image courtesy: Getty Images

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