Week 29 of Pregnancy

First trimester weeks

Congrats! During the first trimester, you’re getting used to the idea of being pregnant.

Second trimester weeks

As you enter this second trimester, your body will settle down to pregnancy.

Third trimester weeks

You've reached the third and final trimester and will be heavily pregnant by now.

Week 29 of Pregnancy

Use this third trimester to get organized before your baby is born.

You may feel a little bored and back-achy at this stage of pregnancy, but there are plenty of positive ways to take your mind off things. For example, you could start to make enquiries about breast-feeding classes, plan your maternity leave, and draw up shopping lists of baby essentials, such as diapers, a changing mat, onesies, bibs, and baby wipes, and perhaps buy a couple of items each week.

28 Weeks, 5 Days

79 days to go...

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Your baby today

Although many babies look similar on 3D ultrasound, particularly strong features, such as those affecting the shape of the ears, lips, or nose, are easy to see. From now on these features will become more and more individualized and recognizable.

Breast-feeding may be natural but it can be tricky to get started, so try to go to a class or two now while you have the time.

There is a lot of pressure on women to breast-feed: breast-feeding has health benefits for both you and your baby and it helps with bonding. People may already be asking you whether you intend to breast-feed or not, and it's reasonable that you don't yet know the answer. After all, you haven't tried!

Most women want to try breast-feeding, but some feel uncomfortable with the thought of doing it, especially in public. There will likely be a lactation consultant in the hospital or you may be able to hire one. In some areas you can go to classes during pregnancy, which will explain the benefits of breast-feeding and aspects such as positioning the baby so that you're both comfortable and the baby is latched on .

The expectation of breast-feeding is that, because it's natural, it's easy. The reality is that until you get the hang of it, it can be a little more difficult. Ask your delivery nurse to show you how to position the baby. Most importantly, keep an open mind and try it. Once breast-feeding is established, it's beneficial to your baby's health, great for your figure, and a wonderful way to be close to your baby.

Talk to pregnant friends about breast-feeding now, and you can support each other once you start feeding your babies. Also get your partner involved research shows that partners who are aware of the benefits of breast-feeing are more likely to be supportive.

On leakages

Some pregnant women experience some leakage of breast milk, perhaps when their breasts are massaged or sexually stimulated, and sometimes for no apparent reason. Some discharge in pregnancy does mean that things are working properly, but women who don't experience this symptom are perfectly able to produce and provide milk for their baby.

Focus On... Nutrition

Cultured foods

Probiotics-such as some yogurts, miso (a Japanese paste, often used in soups), and some juices and soy products-contain enzymes and bacteria that help your body digest food, and build up friendly bacteria in the intestines. If your digestion is sluggish and you're finding constipation a problem, ask your doctor about whether eating more probiotic foods could help.