29 Weeks Pregnant
Your Baby
The fetus is finally starting to look like a baby. The head and body are proportionate at this time. Weight gain is rapid as fat stores continue to build under the skin. Eyes are completely developed and are now sensitive to light. Fetuses are now able to hear, see and smell. Women pregnant with multiples have the same milestones this week though singlets may soon outweigh multiples.
Your Body
Fatigue, difficulty taking a full breath and edema are common in the third trimester. Living every day with a long list of pregnancy symptoms can leave you feeling as if you have been pregnant forever. It is important to remember that pregnancy is temporary and many of the symptoms are going to fade away after the baby is born. Hemorrhoids can occur during pregnancy due to the weight of the fetus pressing on the rectum. This symptom can stick around long after baby is born, so eat lots of fiber and drink plenty of water to fend off constipation.
There is no doctor’s appointment this week, but that does not mean mom should not keep a close eye on how she feels for next week’s visit. For the remaining weeks of pregnancy, jotting down symptoms, questions and contraction times and strength is a good idea. When the doctor’s visit begins and the doppler is used to find the fetal heart rate, sometimes parents can forget the most important questions.
Dad
Women typically start writing a birth plan around the 29th week. Dads can take part in this process, as they will be an intricate part of birth. The nursery, household safety and running errands for the expecting will also be part of everyday life.
Tips For This Week
A birth plan is a written checklist of sorts that women can use to plan out how they want active labor to proceed. When making a birth plan, it is important to be flexible as not all wants are the same as needs. Women tend to think optimistically about labor and delivery, but there are complications, problems and situations that may arise that require the birthing plan to be changed a bit.
If you are planning for a natural childbirth, it's important to note what type of anesthesia you prefer if the need arises. Natural labor is often a desire until the strongest contractions begin.
