By this stage of your pregnancy, you are on target to gain about 19 to 25 pounds. During this stage of pregnancy you can still expect to still experience indigestion. This would be the time to increase more fruits and vegetables into your diet. You want to be eating a balanced diet even at this late stage of pregnancy. If you already started an exercise routine then it is important to keep at it. But it is never too late to get more exercise into your daily routine. Try taking a 20 minute walk after meal, you will feel great and you can reduce the amount of acid reflux.
Some women experience constipation during their pregnancy. But a way to combat constipation naturally is by drinking a lot of water and eating more fiber in your diet. Stay away from laxatives, laxatives can cause contractions. Never take any type of medication while pregnant, always consult your doctor first. Liquid laxatives or even mineral oils cause pre-term birth. Though this may sound a bit old fashioned, some women employ a doula. A doula is someone who can prepare the new mom to be for childbirth.
They can offer you physical and emotional advice as well as educational information to help the new mom and dad prepare. They can also provide some comfort and pain relieving techniques. Their job is to make childbirth as painless a process that you can.
Your Growing Baby
As a result of rapid brain development at this point, your baby’s head is also growing and getting bigger in week 29. Your baby’s muscle and lung are also continuing to develop and mature. Now your baby weighs around 1.1 kg and measures about 39 cm from head to toe.
At week 30, your baby may have taken a large portion of your Uterus as he/she continues to grow rapidly. Your baby has eyebrows and eyelashes now and his/her eyes are becoming more mature. Now your baby can differentiate light from dark and can even follow a light source with his/her eyes, if you shine a light on your tummy. However newborns can see objects only a few inches from their faces. This week, your baby measures about 40 cm and weighs anywhere between 1.2 and 1.4 kg.
Things To Consider
Since there is so much development and maturing going on, it is vital that you get enough nutrients in your diet. Make sure that you get plenty of protein, folic acid, iron and calcium in your diet. As your baby’s brain is rapidly developing, a diet rich in DHA is important for the development of your baby’s brain and eyes. To read more about DHA, click here.
Try to limit the intake of fluids in the hours before bedtime if you go to the loo frequently at night. However, do not limit them during the rest of the day.
Iron supplements can make you constipated sometimes. If you are suffering from Constipation it’s a good idea to stop taking iron supplements. Instead, try to increase your iron intake in your diet.
DHA – for intelligent babies
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant essential fatty acid in the brain and Retina in your eyes. Since your baby is gaining weight and there is also a rapid brain development in the third Trimester of your pregnancy, it is very important to include DHA in your diet. Low status of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding may affect your child’s intelligence. Fishes, soyabean oil, rapeseed oil and marine algae are some good sources of DHA. Vegetarian diets are poor sources of DHA. Hence, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consider taking nutritional supplement that contains DHA.
Changes In Your Body
Congratulations! By pregnancy week 29 you are entering your third and final trimester! From here on out your job and that of your baby will be to grow. Most women gain the most amount of weight during their third trimester. Sometimes this is due to the baby’s growth spurt, whereas at other times it is due to increasing levels of water retention. Don’t be alarmed if you notice a sudden weight jump within 29 weeks pregnant.
There are times however during the third trimester when a sudden weight jump may be cause for alarm. If for example, you gain several pounds within a couple of days, accompanied by high blood pressure, increased swelling of the hands and face and a terrible or debilitating headache, you may be at risk for preeclampsia. If this is the case, your doctor will have to monitor you very closely for complications to ensure a healthy and safe delivery for you and your baby.
You can occupy your time with many fulfilling tasks during the third trimester, including shopping for you and your little one. If you have not already invested in a Snoozer Full Body Pregnancy Pillow, what are you waiting for? Ask someone to buy it as a gift if you must. The pregnancy pillow is one of the most important items a woman can own during and after her pregnancy. It’s just like having three pillows in one. It is one of the most comfortable weapons in your arsenal against pain during the final trimester of your pregnancy.
Full body pillows or pregnancy pillows from the Maternity and Baby Shopping Mart are crafted of the finest materials. You can even buy a luxurious White European Natural Goose Down pregnancy pillow, one you can continue to use even after you have your baby! In fact, you may find the whole family hunkering down on one of these large, cozy and comfy pillows. As an added bonus, you can wrap it around your belly while nursing, or use it to gently prop your baby safely once he or she arrives in this world. Pregnancy pillows are definitely one luxury that will take you mind off all the aches and pains you normally associate with pregnancy.
You may find during your third trimester you have a hard time eating. I found not only did I have less room in my stomach, but when I did eat I felt uncomfortable for several hours. The reason is your digestion slows significantly during the third trimester. Couple this with the lack of space in your abdomen, and you can understand why eating becomes uncomfortable. Nonetheless, you need to be sure you eat enough to support your growing baby.
The easiest way to eat well and without a lot of discomfort is by eating several mini meals each day. This will help you digest your food without terrible heartburn and even help stimulate your energy levels throughout the day.
Be sure you keep drinking plenty of water especially during the third trimester, when hemorrhoids often creep up. Take some time during your last trimester to pamper yourself if you can. One of my favorite things to do included getting a pedicure, so I knew if nothing else my feet would look good during delivery!
Tips/Advice
As your pregnancy draws to a close, it is important to follow the doctors’ orders. If you are experiencing a difficult pregnancy, the doctor may order bed rest. Listen to your body and what it is telling you. Only you can know how you feel, if you feel something is wrong, call your doctor right away.