you're 29 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 38.6 cm (15.2") · 1150 g (40.6 oz)
At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 38.6 cm and 1150 g — Rapid weight gain begins.
about the size of a…
Rapid weight gain begins. The baby fills out and starts to look more like a newborn each week.
this week's highlights
- Rapid weight gain
- Bones harden
- Muscles strengthen
- Lungs maturing fast
how your baby looks
Cheeks are filling in. The skin is less wrinkly and reddish — more pink and rounded. Vernix coat is still present.
body in focus
- head
- Brain develops trillions of connections each week.
- body
- Bones harden but skull stays soft for delivery.
- hands
- Hands grasp with measurable strength.
- feet
- Kicks and stretches push against ribs and bladder.
what's happening in your body
You may notice colostrum (early milk) leaking from your breasts. Sleep is increasingly tricky. Hip and lower-back ache are common.
symptoms at 29 weeks
- Leaking colostrum
- Your breasts may leak drops of yellowish first milk, which is completely normal and no reflection of future supply either way. Breast pads solve the practical side.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the fingers — often worse overnight — comes from fluid pressing on the wrist nerve. Wrist splints worn at night help many people; mention it to your midwife.
- Constipation
- Progesterone slows the gut and iron supplements can slow it further. Fibre, fluids, and daily walking are first-line; ask a pharmacist before using any laxative.
- Hip pain when side sleeping
- Months of side sleeping load the hips. A mattress topper or a pillow between the knees to keep hips stacked reduces the ache.
- Varicose veins
- Bulging leg veins come from pressure on pelvic blood vessels and relaxed vein walls. Compression stockings, elevation, and avoiding long standing spells keep them manageable.
- Feeling the baby in your ribs
- Feet and bottoms lodge under the ribs as space tightens. Sitting tall, side stretches, and time on all fours can persuade a small foot to move.
gentle tips
- Wear nursing pads if leaking colostrum is bothersome.
- Plan a hospital tour and pack the birth bag soon.
- Strength-train pelvic floor and core gently.
- Eat omega-3s (salmon, walnuts) for brain development.
- Discuss labor signs with your provider.
your week 29 checklist
- Buy breast pads if colostrum leaking has started.
- Research and shortlist your baby's GP practice or paediatric care arrangements.
- Write your list of people to notify at the birth and decide who sends the announcement.
- Keep up daily movement awareness — call your maternity unit immediately about any reduction.
what to expect next
Most babies move into a head-down position between weeks 32–36, ready for birth.
common questions at week 29
How big is the baby at 29 weeks?
At 29 weeks, the baby measures about 38.6 cm and weighs approximately 1150 g (38.6 cm (15.2") · 1150 g (40.6 oz)).
What is developing at 29 weeks?
Cheeks are filling in. Brain develops trillions of connections each week. Key milestones this week include: Rapid weight gain; Bones harden; Muscles strengthen; Lungs maturing fast.
What symptoms are common at 29 weeks pregnant?
You may notice colostrum (early milk) leaking from your breasts. Sleep is increasingly tricky. Hip and lower-back ache are common.
What should I do at 29 weeks pregnant?
Most babies move into a head-down position between weeks 32–36, ready for birth. Wear nursing pads if leaking colostrum is bothersome. Plan a hospital tour and pack the birth bag soon. Strength-train pelvic floor and core gently.
Is leaking colostrum at 29 weeks normal?
Yes — many people leak small amounts of colostrum from mid-to-late pregnancy as the breasts prepare for feeding, and many others never leak at all. Neither pattern predicts how feeding will go after birth. Breast pads handle the practicality, and there is nothing you need to do about it medically.
Why are my hands numb and tingly during pregnancy?
Fluid retention narrows the carpal tunnel in the wrist, compressing the nerve that supplies most of the hand — symptoms are often worst at night or on waking. Night wrist splints, keeping wrists neutral, and hand exercises usually control it, and it typically resolves in the weeks after birth. Tell your midwife if weakness makes you drop things, as physiotherapy can help.
How much weight should I gain in the third trimester?
Weight gain guidance depends on your starting BMI, but a common pattern is roughly 0.2 to 0.5 kilograms per week in the third trimester. More useful than the scales is the overall picture: balanced eating, staying active, and steady growth at your antenatal checks. If you are worried about gaining too much or too little, raise it with your midwife rather than restricting food yourself.
helpful tools
- Kick Counter
Daily kick counts are an important reassurance in the third trimester.
- Contraction Timer
Time contractions and track frequency when the moment comes.
- Hospital Bag
Curated packing checklist for labor and delivery.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.