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29 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Your baby's bones are hardening, and the head is growing to make room for the brain.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby's bones are hardening, while the skull stays soft and flexible so that it can pass through the birth canal. The head is growing to hold the quickly developing brain. Your baby needs plenty of calcium for the bones, which comes from your diet.
The muscles and lungs continue to mature. Your baby kicks, stretches and rolls, and you may see a foot or elbow move across your tummy.
How you may be feeling
You may be more tired and short of breath and have heartburn. Your belly may itch, and leg cramps can wake you at night. Your breasts may leak a little yellowish fluid called colostrum, which is normal.
Your to-do list for week 29
- Include calcium-rich foods such as dairy, fortified plant milks, tofu and leafy greens, and iron-rich foods as well.
- Practise relaxing with slow breathing, a warm bath or a pregnancy massage.
- Start a hospital bag list now and pack it over the next few weeks.
- Talk to your partner about how you will share tasks once the baby arrives.
When to ask for help
Report a severe headache, vision changes, pain under the ribs or sudden swelling right away. They can be signs of pre-eclampsia.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: pregnancy weight gain calculator, baby shower planner and baby movement counter.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.