§third trimester · week 29 of 40
you're 29 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 38.6 cm (15.2") · 1150 g (40.6 oz)
about the size of a butternut.
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.
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.
what to expect next
Most babies move into a head-down position between weeks 32–36, ready for birth.