Week 29 · Third trimester
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Week 29 fetal development and pregnancy guide — length about 38.6cm, weight 约1153g (about the size of a an acorn squash)

Your baby is now about 38.6cm and 约1153g, about the size of a an acorn squash.

Medical references: WHO INTERGROWTH-21st · China Prenatal & Pregnancy Care Guide · ACOG

View each day of week 29 →

Week 29 fetal development milestones: length / weight / ultrasound data

Key developmental changes during week 29:

  • Subcutaneous fat keeps accumulating, and the baby fills out from being "wrinkled" to plump, with the skin colour changing from red to pink.
  • Brain neural connections become more precise and neurons keep proliferating.
  • The muscles and bones mature further and the head gradually shrinks in proportion to the body.
  • The fetal position may start to become relatively fixed, and most babies gradually turn head-down from this week.
  • The baby regularly swallows amniotic fluid, hiccups, and keeps practising digestion and breathing movements.
  • The lungs keep maturing — the alveoli branch further and surfactant coverage is more complete.
  • The baby starts storing iron, calcium and other minerals in the liver and bones as reserves for after birth.
  • The nails have reached the fingertips; the bones keep ossifying, but the skull remains soft with unfused fontanelles to ease delivery.
  • About 38.6cm long, about the size of an acorn squash, weighing about 1153g.
Illustration of your baby about the size of an acorn squash at week 29 (about 38.6cm/约1153g)
Week 29 size: about the size of a an acorn squash
BPD (biparietal diameter)73.3mmWidth across the head; reflects brain development
AC (abdominal circumference)246.7mmAbdomen circumference; reflects nutrient absorption
FL (femur length)53.4mmThigh bone length; tracks gestational age
Ultrasound parameters at week 29: BPD 73.3 mm, AC 246.7 mm, FL 53.4 mm (median reference)
Week 29 three core ultrasound parameters (median; varies by individual)

* Values are medians from WHO/China standards; individual variation is normal. References: WHO INTERGROWTH-21st, China Prenatal & Pregnancy Care Guide, ACOG guidelines.

Week 29 daily development

Your baby quietly grows every day of week 29. Tap any day to see fetal development, maternal changes, and daily guidance for that day.

197Day 1Your baby’s subcutaneous fat keeps accumulating, and the skin changes from "translucent red" to "soft, plump flesh tone", with the cheeks and limbs starting to bulge — the wrinkled little look fills out to rounded plumpness over these final weeks. Every mouthful of healthy fat you eat today (avocado, nuts, fish oil) helps it complete this "shaping project".198Day 2Eat shrimp tofu steamed egg — a triple quality-protein combo of shrimp + tofu + egg, steamed to a just-set silky texture, light and easy on the stomach. In the third trimester the uterus presses the stomach, so you easily fill up after a few bites — split the main-meal portions into 5-6 smaller meals, each at seven-or-eight-percent fullness, and this small bowl is just enough for one. If allergic to shrimp, swap to minced chicken breast, equally high in protein.199Day 3If your maternity hospital hasn’t yet notified you of the date for the small scan (30-32 weeks), call today to ask. The small scan focuses on: how fast the fetus is growing, whether amniotic-fluid volume is normal, placental position and maturity, umbilical-artery blood flow, and whether the fetal position is head-down. Each of these indicators concerns third-trimester safety — don’t rely on "the hospital will remember to notify me".200Day 4Hospital-bag check day — open the bag and go through the list one by one: mum’s supplies (are there 10+ maternity pads, and 2-3 nursing bras?), baby’s supplies (30+ NB nappies, two newborn wrap suits), documents (ID card, social-security card, prenatal records) — are they all ready? Fill any gap today. After packing, zip and lock the bag and put it by the shoe rack at the door; glancing at it daily gives you peace of mind.201Day 5Dad, do one thing today: lean close to your partner’s belly and read a picture book in a low, warm voice — slow pace, steady voice, full of emotion. The baby responds better to low-frequency sound (dad’s voice) penetrating the abdominal wall, and after birth it’s often easier to soothe with the father’s voice heard repeatedly in pregnancy. A fixed 5-10 minutes daily — a father’s voice is a much-underestimated calming force in pregnancy.202Day 6Belly tight and itchy? After a shower, while the skin is still a little damp, apply body oil (coconut oil, olive oil or stretch-mark cream), rub it warm in your palms and apply from the lower belly upward lengthwise — don’t rub in circles or tug the skin sideways. Also apply to the breasts and inner thighs. If intense, rash-free itching appears all over, especially on the palms and soles at night — seek care immediately to rule out ICP.203Day 7From this week form the habit of "bath water no hotter than 38°C" — too-hot water dilates vessels, causes blood-pressure swings, and tends to leave the skin more dry and itchy. Keep showers to 10-15 minutes, pat rather than rub dry with a soft towel, and immediately apply full-body body lotion while the skin is still damp to lock in moisture. Wear loose pure-cotton underwear to let the skin breathe — cotton breathability matters more than "pregnancy-specific" styles.

Week 29 belly changes

Illustration of belly changes at week 29: uterine position and abdominal prominence

At week 29 (third trimester) the uterine fundus keeps rising closer to the sternum. Your belly is clearly rounded and your waistline and fundal height grow quickly, so pay more attention to balance and safety in daily movement.

Week 29 maternal body changes and common symptoms

  • The uterine fundus is about 9cm above the navel.
  • Cumulative weight gain is about 8.5-12kg (about 0.4-0.5kg a week in the third trimester for a standard BMI).
  • The abdominal skin stretches more and itches worse, and stretch marks may further show.
  • Leg swelling, varicose veins or haemorrhoids may appear.
  • Shortness of breath, heartburn and lower-back pain may worsen.
  • Sleep difficulty grows (frequent urination, trouble turning over, leg cramps).
  • Braxton Hicks false contractions may appear (brief tightening of the belly, painless, irregular).
  • The breasts enlarge, colostrum is secreted, and some people start leaking urine (when coughing or laughing).

Week 29 nutrition advice and recommended recipes

Protein needs rise in the third trimester (the Chinese Nutrition Society recommends about 85g a day, roughly 80-90g), so give priority to quality protein: fish, eggs, lean meat, soy products and milk. Daily targets: quality protein about 80-90g, iron about 27-29mg, calcium 1000mg, DHA 200-300mg, fiber 25-30g, iodine 230μg, about 450 extra kcal (third trimester). Keep controlling sugar (especially with GDM): cut sugary drinks and mix coarse and fine grains in staples. Avoid alcohol, raw or unpasteurised milk products, high-mercury fish, caffeine ≤200mg a day.

DHA200-300mgBrain & vision development
Recommended recipeShrimp tofu steamed egg

A triple quality-protein combo of shrimp + tofu + egg, steamed soft and easy to digest without taking up stomach space — suitable for third-trimester protein supplementation. If allergic to shrimp, swap to fish fillet or chicken; with gout, reduce the shrimp and focus on the tofu and egg.

Week 29 prenatal education guide

The core of "fetal education" is still to help the mother-to-be relax and go with the flow; there is currently no strong evidence that any specific stimulation makes the baby smarter. This week let dad take part more: dad can lean close to the belly at a set time to read picture books, tell stories and gently stroke it — after birth babies are often easier to soothe with the father’s voice they heard repeatedly in pregnancy; this is about building familiarity, not "memory training". What you can do: talk gently or read 5-10 minutes at a set time daily, combined with gentle stroking; choose soothing music or white noise at a volume ≤60 decibels for 15-20 minutes a day to relax yourself. Don’t chase "effects" — a cheerful mood is the best fetal education.

Week 29 partner's role

①Help relieve her itchy skin: apply body oil or stretch-mark cream once or twice daily, remind her to drink water, keep the bath temperature not too high, and wear breathable cotton clothing. ②Keep preparing the hospital bag, restock nursing bras and postpartum-care items, and check the progress to fill any gaps. ③Read picture books or talk close to the belly at a set time daily to build a father’s voice the baby recognises. ④Count fetal movements with her and record your baby’s active periods; complete the hospital bag before week 36.

Week 29 checkup reminders

Weeks 30-32: the small scan (anomaly-late ultrasound) to assess fetal growth, amniotic-fluid volume, placental position and maturity, fetal position, and umbilical blood flow. Routine visit this week: weight, blood pressure, fundal height, abdominal circumference, fetal-heart auscultation and urinalysis. Since week 28 visits are every two weeks with daily fetal-movement counting. You can also learn about the 35-37-week GBS (B-streptococcus) screening and the 27-36-week Tdap whooping-cough vaccine (giving the baby maternal antibody to prevent Pertussis). If the OGTT hasn’t been done, complete it as soon as possible.

Week 29 key concerns

Book the small scan (30-32 weeks)Count fetal movements dailyTop up the hospital bagMoisturise skin and relieve itching30 minutes of moderate exercise daily (ACOG recommends 150 minutes a week across pregnancy)

Signs that need immediate care at week 29

If any of the following occurs, contact your obstetrician or seek care promptly: ① clearly reduced fetal movement (under 10 in 2 hours or down by more than half from usual); ② vaginal bleeding or leakage of fluid (possible premature rupture of membranes); ③ regular contractions (once every 10 minutes or more often) with lumbar heaviness/downward pressure (watch for preterm labour); ④ persistent severe headache, blurred vision or upper-abdominal pain, with raised blood pressure and sudden obvious swelling (watch for preeclampsia); ⑤ itching all over, especially palms and soles with no rash (watch for ICP); ⑥ a fever over 38℃ that does not come down; ⑦ swelling, warmth or pain in one leg or sudden breathing difficulty and chest pain (watch for a clot/pulmonary embolism); ⑧ sudden obvious swelling or persistent abdominal pain and a tender uterus.

Week 29 frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between the small scan and the big anomaly scan?
The big scan (20-24 weeks) focuses on screening structural malformations (brain, spine, heart, limbs, internal organs, lip and palate, etc.); the small scan (30-32 weeks) focuses on assessing fetal growth, amniotic-fluid volume, placental position and maturity, fetal position, and umbilical blood flow. They serve different purposes and both are needed — you can book this one ahead from this week.
When is the small scan done — does it need booking?
The small scan is generally arranged at weeks 30-32, and popular hospitals likewise need advance booking. It looks at how fast the baby grows, whether the amniotic fluid is normal, the placental position and whether it’s low, and whether the fetal position is correct — an important monitoring scan of the third trimester.
How much weight gain is normal at week 29?
A cumulative gain of about 8.5-12kg by week 29 is common. For a standard BMI, the third trimester is about 0.4-0.5kg a week and the whole pregnancy recommends about 11.5-16kg. Watch the overall trend and manage by BMI with a weight-gain calculator; discuss too-fast or too-slow gain with your doctor.
Do I need to count fetal movements at week 29 now?
Since week 28 you should count fetal movements every day: one hour in the morning, afternoon and evening each, lie on your left side or sit quietly and record; generally ≥3-5 an hour or ≥10 within 2 hours is normal. If it’s clearly under 10 in 2 hours or down by more than half from usual, seek care immediately.
Is itchy skin at week 29 normal?
Itching from abdominal skin stretching is common and moisturising can relieve it. But be alert: if the itching is all over, especially the palms and soles, worse at night and without a rash, seek care immediately to check liver function and bile acid, ruling out intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) — it can affect the baby and must be handled early.
How much protein should I eat at week 29?
The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends about 85g a day in the third trimester (roughly 80-90g). Give priority to quality protein: fish, eggs, lean meat, soy products, milk — for example 1 egg + 300ml milk + 100g fish/lean meat + 100g tofu totals about 40g of quality protein, and pairing it with the rest of your food in staples covers the day’s roughly 85g. Don’t rely on meat alone — pairing with soy products is more balanced.
What if I sleep poorly at week 29?
A growing belly, frequent urination and trouble turning over affect sleep. Use a pregnancy pillow for support, sleep on your left side, soak your feet before bed to relax, reduce evening fluids to cut night urination, and exercise moderately during the day. Avoid screens before bed and caffeinated drinks.
Is the fetal position starting to be fixed at week 29?
Most babies gradually turn head-down from this week and the position starts to become relatively fixed, but still has room to change. Only after week 30 do you need to focus on the position; if it’s breech or transverse, the doctor will assess knee-chest exercise or external cephalic version later.
How do I read the week-29 ultrasound report?
The three measurements at 29 weeks: BPD (biparietal diameter) about 73.3mm, AC (abdominal circumference) about 246.7mm, and FL (femur length) about 53.4mm, reflecting head, abdomen and leg development. If the three are in step, growth is good; a single slight deviation isn’t necessarily abnormal — go by your obstetrician’s overall assessment.
Can I have sex at week 29?
If there’s no placenta praevia, bleeding, cervical insufficiency or threatened preterm labour, gentle sex is fine using positions that don’t press on the belly and with gentle movements. The closer to term, the more caution in the third trimester; pause if unwell or the doctor advises against it; seek care for post-sex bleeding, pain or leaking fluid.
Is there a recommended exercise duration in pregnancy?
ACOG advises women without complications about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise accumulated weekly (walking, prenatal yoga, swimming), split over 5 days at about 30 minutes a day. In the third trimester focus on walking and stretching; avoid intense exercise and pressure on the abdomen; stop and seek care for pain or bleeding.
Can I still get vaccines in the third trimester?
Yes. The CDC and ACOG recommend the Tdap whooping-cough vaccine at weeks 27-36 so the baby gets maternal antibody to prevent Pertussis; the inactivated flu vaccine can also be given in flu season. Both are pregnancy-safe vaccines; tell them you’re pregnant before vaccination.
What about leg cramps and swelling at week 29?
When a cramp hits, flex the foot and massage the calf; prevention relies on supplementing calcium and magnesium, drinking water and stretching before bed. For swelling, raise your legs, lie on your left side, walk to promote return flow, and moderately limit salt. If swelling suddenly worsens, spreads to the face and hands, or comes with headache or vision changes, check blood pressure to rule out preeclampsia.
What should I avoid eating at week 29?
Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, high-mercury large fish, unpasteurised dairy, alcohol, caffeine over 200mg a day, and excess animal liver (excess vitamin A). If you have GDM, strictly control refined sugar and sugary drinks as well.
What about heartburn and bloating at week 29?
Eat smaller meals more often and chew slowly, sit or stand for 30 minutes after meals before lying down, avoid eating in the 2-3 hours before bed, avoid spicy, greasy, overly sweet food and carbonated drinks, and prop up your upper body when sleeping. In serious cases, use a pregnancy-safe antacid under a doctor’s guidance.
What about constipation and haemorrhoids at week 29?
Eat more coarse grains and vegetables for dietary fiber, drink 1.5-2L of water daily, walk after meals, and toilet regularly without squatting long; soak in warm water for haemorrhoids. Iron supplements can worsen constipation — discuss an adjustment with your doctor; in serious cases choose a pregnancy-safe medication rather than a stimulant laxative.
What about lower-back pain at week 29?
It comes from a forward centre of gravity and ligament relaxation. Avoid long standing or sitting, wear supportive low-heeled shoes, use a belly-support belt, side-sleep with a pregnancy pillow, do prenatal yoga and pelvic-floor exercise, and apply local warmth. Sharp pain on one side or with bleeding and fever needs care.
What should go in the hospital bag?
It sorts into three: mum’s supplies (maternity pads, nursing bra, toiletries, straw cup), baby’s supplies (NB nappies, swaddle, going-home outfit, small hat), and documents (ID card, social-security card, prenatal records). Prepare it in batches from weeks 28-34, basically complete by week 34, and keep the list by the door so you can leave at a moment’s notice.
⚡The gestational-development data on this tool is compiled from the WHO INTERGROWTH-21st fetal growth standards, ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and the Chinese Medical Association's Guidelines for Pre-conception and Prenatal Care, and is reviewed for consistency by obstetrics consultants against those authoritative standards. Daily developmental tips, maternal changes, and nutrition advice follow an evidence-based approach. Note that fetal length is measured differently by week: crown–rump length (CRL) at or before week 20, and crown–heel length (CHL) from week 21 — values either side of week 21 are not directly comparable, which is a normal measurement change.

Data sources & notes

This tool provides algorithm-based estimates from the authoritative standards above for pregnancy time planning and general reference. It does not replace a doctor's diagnosis or individualized medical advice; follow your obstetrician for all prenatal care decisions.

Week 29 daily focus

Key daily tips for this week; tap any item to view the full development and guidance for that day.

Day 1Your baby’s subcutaneous fat keeps accumulating, and the skin changes from "translucent red" to "soft, plump flesh tone", with the cheeks and limbs starting to bulge — the wrinkled little look fills out to rounded plumpness over these final weeks. Every mouthful of healthy fat you eat today (avocado, nuts, fish oil) helps it complete this "shaping project".Day 2Eat shrimp tofu steamed egg — a triple quality-protein combo of shrimp + tofu + egg, steamed to a just-set silky texture, light and easy on the stomach. In the third trimester the uterus presses the stomach, so you easily fill up after a few bites — split the main-meal portions into 5-6 smaller meals, each at seven-or-eight-percent fullness, and this small bowl is just enough for one. If allergic to shrimp, swap to minced chicken breast, equally high in protein.Day 3If your maternity hospital hasn’t yet notified you of the date for the small scan (30-32 weeks), call today to ask. The small scan focuses on: how fast the fetus is growing, whether amniotic-fluid volume is normal, placental position and maturity, umbilical-artery blood flow, and whether the fetal position is head-down. Each of these indicators concerns third-trimester safety — don’t rely on "the hospital will remember to notify me".Day 4Hospital-bag check day — open the bag and go through the list one by one: mum’s supplies (are there 10+ maternity pads, and 2-3 nursing bras?), baby’s supplies (30+ NB nappies, two newborn wrap suits), documents (ID card, social-security card, prenatal records) — are they all ready? Fill any gap today. After packing, zip and lock the bag and put it by the shoe rack at the door; glancing at it daily gives you peace of mind.Day 5Dad, do one thing today: lean close to your partner’s belly and read a picture book in a low, warm voice — slow pace, steady voice, full of emotion. The baby responds better to low-frequency sound (dad’s voice) penetrating the abdominal wall, and after birth it’s often easier to soothe with the father’s voice heard repeatedly in pregnancy. A fixed 5-10 minutes daily — a father’s voice is a much-underestimated calming force in pregnancy.Day 6Belly tight and itchy? After a shower, while the skin is still a little damp, apply body oil (coconut oil, olive oil or stretch-mark cream), rub it warm in your palms and apply from the lower belly upward lengthwise — don’t rub in circles or tug the skin sideways. Also apply to the breasts and inner thighs. If intense, rash-free itching appears all over, especially on the palms and soles at night — seek care immediately to rule out ICP.Day 7From this week form the habit of "bath water no hotter than 38°C" — too-hot water dilates vessels, causes blood-pressure swings, and tends to leave the skin more dry and itchy. Keep showers to 10-15 minutes, pat rather than rub dry with a soft towel, and immediately apply full-body body lotion while the skin is still damp to lock in moisture. Wear loose pure-cotton underwear to let the skin breathe — cotton breathability matters more than "pregnancy-specific" styles.

Content sources & notes

This guide references WHO INTERGROWTH-21st standards, the China Prenatal & Pregnancy Care Guide, ACOG clinical guidelines and BabyCenter (medically reviewed).

This page is educational pregnancy information for general reference and does not replace the diagnosis or advice of a licensed healthcare provider.

View the full fetal BPD/AC/FL reference table (weeks 14–42) →

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