Pregnant: What happens in week 29

The development of your baby in the 29th week of pregnancy

Primary sex organs: Already a few weeks ago you found out whether you're having a girl or a boy. In the 29th week of pregnancy the sex organs are becoming more refined of your baby. Thus the boy's testes migrate through the groin from near the kidneys into the scrotum. The girl's labia still need to grow a bit until they fully cover the clitoris.

A fully developed baby: The internal organs have fully developed by week 29. Now they only refine further so that your baby can breathe independently and digest its food after birth.

Fetal position: In the womb the fetus has less and less room, which is why in the coming weeks it will gradually take the typical fetal position assume it.

Stronger immune system: Through the placenta the fetus receives in the 29th week of pregnancy important immune defenses against illnesses. Your body regularly exchanges antibodies with your baby to significantly strengthen the immune system.

Baby fat: Your child continues to gain weight eagerly. In the coming weeks it will, on average, gain 250 grams per week. It not only increasingly looks more and more like a newborn, it can also regulate its body temperature better on its own.

Fluttering eyelashes: Already for a few weeks the fetus's head hair has been growing. In week 29 the eyelashes and eyebrows of your child are now also growing more noticeably.

The brain becomes more active: Brain and nervous system develop significantly further in the 29th week of pregnancy and function more distinctly. As a result brain volume continues to increase and the skull bones grow with it. At birth your baby already has 100 billion brain cells.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In the 29th week of pregnancy your child is now around 39 to 40 cm tall. This corresponds approximately to the size of a butternut squash.With a proud 1.200 grams your little miracle is making big strides toward the 2-kilogram mark. Since last week it has gained 100 grams and at this pace it continues. On the ultrasound image this becomes ever clearer. This is how your baby looks from week to week more like a 'real' newborn. The skin appears noticeably firmer and with its more pronounced movements

draws attention. Depending on your child's position you catch a glimpse of its grimaces and its still wrinkled-looking face.

Schwangerschaft 29 SSW | Eine schwangere Frau hält eine Schüssel mit Gemüsesalat auf dem Teppich sitzend, Ansicht von oben

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 29?For many pregnant women, the last trimester is one of the most strenuous phasespregnancy symptoms such as inner restlessness and changed sleeping habits as well as the steadily increasing growth of the belly make everyday life more difficult. To give the symptoms as little room as possible, it is important that you allow regular rest breaks possible. With plenty of calmness you will get through the last months of your pregnancy very well – this also has a positive effect on your baby.

An emotional rollercoaster: Again and again during pregnancy it happens that your hormones cause a mixed mood. Especially in the final period before birth many women worry about how their life will develop after delivery. It often helps if you discuss in such situations with your partner, your mother, or experienced friends. They can certainly take away some worries and reassure you.

Practice contractions: In the 29th week of pregnancy the expectant mother's uterus contracts again and again. These are small practice contractions that make your abdominal wall feel hard. This is your body's rehearsal for birth. As a rule, the practice contractions are less painful occur. However, if you complain about increasing and recurring pain, it's important that you consult your gynecologist.

Back pain: Due to the steadily increasing weight of the baby and the uterus your posture changes and your back is exposed to the increased load. Depending on your child's movements, a few nerves in your back can sometimes be affected, causing a painful sensation.

Healthy appetite: Your baby is fully focused on growth in the last trimester. You don't just notice this in your belly. The energy requirement increases again, because your body is already preparing for birth and building reserves. Your hunger keeps increasing and you might eat an extra slice of bread or an apple a day to provide you and your baby with sufficient nutrients.

Feeling of fullness: Many expectant mothers do feel a greater hunger, but at the same time complain about a feeling of fullness. There is little space in the abdomen for a full stomach, which is why it is helpful if you have several small portions a day eat. This approach also helps you get heartburn under control.

Breast milk: a miracle of nature

Already in the 16th week of pregnancy your body began to production of the first colostrum. In the last trimester it is more common that, due to the increased hormone levels, it also already leaks from the breasts before delivery. Nursing pads that you can already wear in your bra prevent unpleasant damp patches on your T-shirt. But what's actually in breast milk? Here you can learn more about it.

Colostrum (first milk): In the first days after birth, the breast milk is still slightly yellowish and thick. It contains exactly the substances your baby needs in its first days. The contained immune factors strengthen the immune system. It also contains especially high amounts of protein, trace elements and vitamins. Colostrum acts as a mild laxative and helps to kick-start the baby's metabolism.

Transitional milk: Transitional milk is in the first week after birth produced. During this time there is the so-called 'milk coming in'. It can happen that your breasts feel engorged and very sensitive. In transitional milk the fat and sugar content is significantly higher and it contains less protein and immune factors.

Mature milk: About 2 weeks after birth the breast milk changes again. It now contains now water, sugar, protein, fat, minerals and vitamins – that is, everything your baby needs for its development. The mature milk even changes its composition during breastfeeding: at the first latch there is still a lot of water present. During breastfeeding, however, it becomes increasingly more substantial and contains more nutrients, that satisfy your child's hunger.

Not just for drinking: Breast milk can do more than just satisfy your little miracle. The breast milk has anti-inflammatory effects and the immune factors can also help with infections. A few drops, for example, can relieve sore pain on the baby's bottom as well as a blocked nose.

29th week of pregnancy: seek breastfeeding consultation

Even if there's still some time until birth, it can already be helpful now if you get advice from your midwife or at a breastfeeding consultation about feeding your child. Many women worry that they will not be able to breastfeed after birth or will have too much pain. In breastfeeding consultation you can already learn different latching techniques and can discuss your questions with a midwife.

For the 30th week of pregnancy