Week 29 of pregnancy
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Your baby this week
About the size of a pomelo
Source: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
Your baby's development
Your baby is growing fast and the uterus no longer has much room for baby to roll around as before. Your baby is about 38.6 cm long, the size of a pumpkin, and weighs about 1.2 kg. The fine hair (lanugo) and vernix that keep your baby warm will gradually disappear. Your baby's skin becomes smoother. Your baby now confidently uses body fat to keep warm. Clever, isn't it, parents?
Your baby's brain and nervous system continue to develop quickly. Nerve cells branch out more and the connections in the brain gradually form. Thanks to this, your baby's movements are becoming smoother.
Your body
Your uterus is growing quickly, putting pressure on the organs in your abdomen and chest. Shortness of breath, cramps and heartburn may continue. This week you may notice a little colostrum leaking out.
Your bump is so big that you may no longer be able to see your feet. About 20% of mums develop varicose veins (venous insufficiency) at this stage.
Advice for you
From week 28 you need to count your baby's movements regularly, about 2-3 times a day. You can lie down to rest, place your hand on your tummy and count the movements. Use the “kick counter” feature in the app to count more accurately. If your baby moves fewer than 4 times in 1 hour or 10 times in 2 hours, don't worry too much. Drink a glass of water, relax a little and start counting again. If movements are still fewer in the next count, go to the nearest health facility to be checked.
If you are leaking colostrum, you can use breast pads. Eating yoghurt also helps improve your digestion and makes you feel good – don't skip it!
You've been doing so well – you are amazing!
Things to do at this stage
- Count your baby's movements.
- Ask about stem cell banks – cord blood storage.
- Take good care of your skin
Watch the video for this article
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy
This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe pain or faintness, call the emergency number 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Convulsions (fits)
A convulsion in pregnancy is an emergency. Family members should call 115 at once, lay the mother on her side in a safe place and get her to the nearest hospital.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Fever in pregnancy
A temperature above 38°C counts as a fever. Please go to a health facility so a doctor can find the cause and advise on safe ways to bring it down; do not take medicine on your own.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Leaking fluid or waters breaking
Fluid leaking from the vagina may mean the waters are leaking or have broken and needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to a health facility soon, lying with your head low while travelling.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling
Headache with blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or eyelids, can be a sign of high blood pressure in pregnancy or pre-eclampsia. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Reduced or no fetal movement
A clear drop in the baby's movements, or no movement, needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now rather than waiting until tomorrow.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that keeps getting worse, does not ease, or is severe needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the pain is severe with sweating, faintness or bleeding, call 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- NHS (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- ACOG (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for fetal size: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.