29 Weeks Pregnant - Trimester 3

BABY DEVELOPMENT

Your baby takes up more and more space in your belly and may not be able to move as much due to space limitations (good thing there’s a change of habitation due in the not-too-distant future!). Their little eyes can be wide open, and already have eyelashes! At birth, your baby won’t have perfect vision but will still see well enough to distinguish your face and see objects placed 20-25 cm from their eyes.

At 29 weeks, your baby is around the size of a butternut pumpkin and their eyes can now open fully, even though they can't see properly yet. They'll start being able to respond to changes in light.

YOUR BODY

Kicks and heartbeats let you know that your child is very much present. They are also, unfortunately, making their presence known by pressing on your lungs and possibly making your feet and hands swell. Perhaps your favourite shoes don’t fit right now or you can hardly get the ring you wanted to wear over your fingertip. Ahh, the joys of water retention. Because there are so many more fluids circulating in your body, fluid may collect in your hands and legs by the end of the day. Especially true if you’ve been on your feet all day and not had much opportunity to put your feet up. Normally the swelling disappears again overnight. If the swelling remains or increases suddenly, inform your doctor as soon as you can.

NUTRITION

During your last trimester your energy needs increase by about 1900kJ per day from what you ate before you were pregnant.  Make this up by choosing healthy foods from a variety of different food groups. This will ensure you get lots of different vitamins and minerals as well.  What does 1900kJ look like?  A cheese and snack plate of:  4 whole grain crackers, 2 slices cheese (40 g), 1 small apple, and ½ of an avocado add up to about 1900kJ.

TIPS

Moderate physical activity, similar to what you have been doing throughout your pregnancy may need a few tweaks as your weight and girth grow.  Healthy women that are pregnant are recommended to stay active during their last trimester, if you have any concerns make sure to add that to your list of questions for your midwife or obstetrician at your next visit.