Pregnancy at week 29

Your baby

Your baby is still growing rapidly. They are now about a third of the size they will be if they are born at full term (over 37 weeks). All of their organs are developed now and most are fully functioning. Their lungs are maturing, and they are practising to breathe in a more regular rhythm.

They are making red blood cells in their bone marrow. Their eyelids can now open and their eyelashes have grown, although their eyes still have a little way to go before their sight is fully developed.

Your body

At this point, because your uterus is pushing against your internal organs (such as your diaphragm, stomach, liver and intestines), you might feel quite uncomfortable.

Since your uterus is pushing against your diaphragm and lungs, you might feel breathless from time to time. This is normal, but talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re feeling very out of breath. If you have asthma, your symptoms can get worse when you’re pregnant. It’s very important to try and keep asthma under control so that both you and your baby are getting enough oxygen. Talk to your doctor about your asthma medications and take them as instructed.

The extra weight and changes occurring in your body to support your growing baby might also make you feel very tired. It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep now because you feel so uncomfortable. Rest as much as you can and go to bed earlier if you need to.

Remember to start every sleep lying on your side from 28 weeks of your pregnancy. If you wake up on your back, that’s okay, just roll over onto your side. This helps improve the blood flow to your uterus and research suggests, side sleeping can halve the risk of stillbirth.

Things to remember

Now is the time to make a birth plan, if you don’t already have one. A birth plan is a written record of what you would like to happen when you are having your baby. You have choices about what you’d like to include, although templates can be helpful as a prompt. One of the main advantages of a birth plan is that it helps you prepare for having a baby.

Birth plans can be simple or complex — there is no one right format to suit everyone. It’s fine to change your mind about what you’d like to happen when you’re having your baby. You may want to include things like: where you would like to give birth, who you want to support you, what aids you might like to have (like bean bags or music), what pain relief you would like, and what position you would like to give birth in.

Speak with your midwife or doctor about what’s important to you so they can make notes in your records to make sure this information is available when the time comes.

Remember, things don’t always go to plan. A birth plan is just a guide, and you may need to be flexible when the time comes.

Resources and support

Speak to your doctor, midwife or obstetrician if you have questions about your pregnancy.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also has more information on:

• maternity care in Australia
• having a healthy pregnancy
• exploring the anatomy of pregnancy and birth
• checkups, screenings, scans and tests you can have during your pregnancy
• common conditions you might experience during your pregnancy
• looking after your mental health and wellbeing

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.