Reaching week 29 of pregnancy means you are well into the third trimester, with your due date now feeling reassuringly closer. This is a week of steady growth and building anticipation, as your baby lays down fat, refines their senses and settles into a familiar pattern of movement. Having moved on from week 28, many expectant parents find that week 29 brings a mix of excitement, physical changes and a natural urge to start preparing for the weeks ahead.
Understanding what is happening to your baby and your body at 29 weeks pregnant can help you feel more confident and know what is normal, and when it is worth checking in with your midwife or clinic.
Your baby at week 29
By week 29, your baby is developing rapidly and is roughly around 38 to 39 centimetres from head to heel, and typically weighs somewhere in the region of 1.1 to 1.2 kilograms. These figures are approximate, as babies naturally vary in size, and your own scan measurements are always the most reliable guide.
This week your baby continues to build layers of fat beneath the skin, which helps with temperature control after birth and gives their body a rounder, smoother appearance. The brain is growing quickly, forming the grooves and folds that will support learning and coordination. Bones are becoming stronger, although the skull remains soft and flexible to allow for birth.
Your baby's senses are increasingly active at this stage. They can respond to light, sound and taste, and may startle at a sudden noise or settle when they hear your voice. Movements often feel stronger and more defined now, with distinct kicks, rolls and stretches. Getting to know your baby's usual pattern of movement is genuinely important in the third trimester.
Your body at week 29
As your baby grows, you may notice a range of new or intensifying sensations. Common experiences around 29 weeks pregnant include:
- Backache and pelvic discomfort, as your bump grows and your posture shifts to accommodate the extra weight.
- Shortness of breath, as your expanding uterus presses upward against your lungs and diaphragm.
- Heartburn and indigestion, which are common in the third trimester and often worse after larger meals.
- Swelling in the feet and ankles, particularly at the end of the day or in warm weather.
- Braxton Hicks contractions, the irregular tightening of your uterus that helps prepare your body for labour.
- Trouble sleeping, as finding a comfortable position becomes harder.
Most of these symptoms are a normal part of the third trimester. That said, some symptoms should always be checked promptly. Sudden or severe swelling of the face, hands or feet, a persistent headache, visual disturbances or pain below your ribs can be signs of raised blood pressure and should be reported to your midwife without delay.
What to keep in mind this week
Paying attention to your baby's movements remains one of the most valuable things you can do this week. NHS guidance is clear that there is no set number of normal movements, and that you should get to know your own baby's individual pattern. If you notice your baby moving less than usual, or a change in their pattern, contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away, at any time of day or night. It is never a bother, and it is always better to be checked.
A few other practical points for week 29:
- Continue to rest when you can, and try sleeping on your side rather than your back in the third trimester.
- Stay well hydrated and eat regular, balanced meals rich in iron and calcium to support your baby's growth.
- Gentle activity, such as walking or antenatal exercise, can ease backache and support your wellbeing.
- If you have not already, this is a sensible time to think about your birth preferences and hospital bag.
Scans, tests and appointments
By week 29, you will typically have completed the routine NHS screening milestones, including the 20-week anomaly scan (offered around 18 to 21 weeks) and, where relevant, the glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes (usually between 24 and 28 weeks). The whooping cough vaccine is offered from around 16 to 32 weeks, and the newer RSV vaccination is offered from 28 weeks, so both may be relevant discussions with your midwife around now.
This week also marks the final opportunity for a 3rd-trimester anomaly scan, which offers a detailed look at your baby's anatomy and growth later in pregnancy, when some features are easier to assess than at the 20-week scan. From 30 weeks onward, a wellbeing scan can provide reassurance on your baby's growth, position, amniotic fluid and blood flow, which many parents find valuable as they approach the final stretch.
Discussions about group B streptococcus and your individual birth plan often take place in the later third trimester, so it is worth noting any questions to raise at your next appointment. To see how these scans and milestones fit together across your whole pregnancy, our pregnancy journey planner maps out a personalised timeline week by week.
Looking ahead
Week 29 is a reassuring stage of steady growth, stronger movements and gentle preparation for the weeks to come. As you move towards week 30, your baby will keep gaining weight and maturing, and appointments and scans will increasingly focus on growth and wellbeing. Keep listening to your body, stay in touch with your midwife, and take each week as it comes.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always speak to your midwife, GP or obstetrician about your own pregnancy.
