29-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
As you inch your way towards the finish line – you will be giving birth in about ten weeks! – your baby is still growing by leaps and bounds, and even opening their eyes wide now. Read more to learn what to expect at 29 weeks of pregnancy.
Baby development
Your baby takes up more and more space in your belly and may not 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 eyes can be wide open, and they already have eyelashes! At birth, they will have imperfect vision but will still see well enough to distinguish your face and see objects placed 20-25 cm from their eyes.
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, it 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. Call your doctor immediately if you notice swelling of your face, around your eyes, more than mild swelling of your hands, if one leg is more swollen than the other, or if you have sudden swelling anywhere. Speak with your doctor if you have any other concerns about swelling.
Nutrition
During your last trimester your calorie needs increase by about 450 from what you ate before you were pregnant.
Tips
Moderate physical activity, similar to what you have been doing throughout your pregnancy may need a few tweaks, but healthy women that are pregnant are recommended to stay active during their last trimester.
Reference:
KidsHealth. Can Pregnant Women Do Anything to Reduce or Prevent Swollen Ankles? Can Pregnant Women Do Anything to Reduce or Prevent Swollen Ankles? (for Parents) - Nemours Kidshealth Accessed September 2021.
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