29 weeks pregnant

You’re getting tired more easily but that probably won’t stop your nesting plans

The nest-building instinct often kicks in as a woman approaches her due date. You may be overwhelmed with the urge to clean and decorate, but although it’s natural to want a perfect home for your baby don’t wear yourself out. Work, travelling, and a constant round of antenatal appointments are probably all much more of an effort these days. If you need to keep stopping to rest, listen to your body and do just that.

1.You are still feeling a lot of strong kicks, although the baby is moving around less.

2.The amniotic sac has finished growing and is no longer forming new cells. Because the membranes of the sac are highly elastic, they keep stretching as the baby gets bigger.

3.The tip of your baby’s nose is still upturned and the bridge is becoming more evident.

4.At 30 weeks the average crown to heel length is 39.9cm (15.7in) and the average weight is 1.3kg (2.9lb).

5.In the brain , nerve cells are developing into distinct areas that will eventually control specific functions such as memory and coordinated movement. As yet, the neural network is very immature.

You’re now 10 weeks away from meeting your bundle of joy. Also, your belly's increasing size is a definite clue that your baby is getting bigger every day. By this week your baby should weigh approximately 1.4-1.5 kg.

What are you about to experience?

You may notice that you become tired more easily during this last part of pregnancy. This may be especially true if you are having difficulty sleeping at night. You may want to experiment with different sleeping positions to help you get some sound sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia, and it is becoming increasingly worse, consult your doctor.

Your baby’s development

As your baby continues to grow, he/she will take up a lot of space in your uterus. You will feel that your body does not have room for your growing baby, but it will compensate by allowing your uterus to extend below your rib cage. Your baby’s eyes are becoming more mature, and, if direct light is thrown on your belly, it is believed that your baby can tell the difference between light and dark.

Changes in you

These are some of the additional changes you will be experiencing this week.

• Stretch Marks: The stretching skin on your belly may start itching but this is completely normal. Try massaging your abdomen gently with a moisturizing lotion or coconut oil. Scratching makes it worse, so avoid.
• Back aches: This is related to weight gain and the baby’s growth. If you are experiencing back pain, you may want to assess your posture. Proper posture can alleviate the back pain you are experiencing. It may take some effort to change poor posture habits, but it will be worth it to reduce your back pain. Also, there are some yoga asanas that can help relieve the pain. Take a few classes, but under the supervision of a yoga instructor trained in pregnancy yoga.

Lifestyle Changes:

Eat a high-fibre diet including fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, wholegrain breads etc. to prevent constipation. Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, yoga done for 20-30 minutes can change your mood and also help deal with constipation.

Consciously watch out for your posture. If your work requires you to sit for long hours at your desk, carry a back support pillow, and a small footstool to the office to keep your back straight and feet elevated.

You can opt for some relaxing massages for your legs and shoulders.

Nutrition for you

Pregnancy and food cravings go hand in hand. Which is why, fighting the urge to eat junk food is extremely difficult with your hormones giving you a tough time.

1. Substitute: Substitute like a pro. Have a fruit when you crave something sweet instead of a piece of cake. When you feel like having a can of cola, have a glass of fruit juice instead. Always ensure you substitute processed food with natural, healthy alternatives.
2. Milk issues: Always drink fresh and boiled milk and consume only those dairy products that use pasteurised milk. In case you feel that milk is giving you indigestion you can add more milk products such as paneer, cheese, dahi to your diet and reduce the quantity of milk till you feel better.

Please remember to take your prenatal supplements of iron, calcium and folic acid.

Common worries

• Fatigue: Your growing baby is putting more demands on your body, and insomnia may be leaving you exhausted during the day. Also, the frequent trips to the washroom, do not let you get a restful sleep. Now’s the time to ask for help, especially while doing something tiring jobs such as  laundry and other household chores.
• Back pain: Back pain is unfortunately something many women experience in pregnancy and is likely to worsen as your baby and belly both continue to grow. You may ask your doctor or a trained yoga professional to help you with some posture tips.

What do the experts suggest?

“Be on the alert for uterine contractions. While you still have 10 weeks to go, sometimes the baby will decide to come early. If you start feeling contraction pains and they are growing more frequent, chances are they are real contractions instead of Braxton-Hicks contractions. If you aren’t sure if you are in labour, it’s always better to play it safe and call your doctor. Of course, vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage is another reason to call the doctor.”

Dr Sangeeta Malhotra

Medical Superintendent

CGHS Maternity and Gynea Hospital, Delhi

What do some of the moms say?

Let’s hear what moms have to say about their experience in this stage of pregnancy.

 “I remember requesting my husband for a day at a spa and he surprised me with some spa vouchers. We spent time together in the spa, followed by lunch at my favourite restaurant. I think this was a much needed experience before our baby arrived,” shares Richa Bhasin.

“My mood swings had gone down during my second trimester, but somehow the anxiety of labour and what will happen after the arrival of the baby made me so low that I started dreading the coming weeks. I would suggest other moms to discuss their fears with their mothers or doctors so that they feel better,” shares Cheshtha Talwar.

Seasonal Pregnancy Care

Summer: Wear loose, cotton clothes so that you are comfortable. As you are nearing your delivery date, you’ll feel extremely hot due to rise in your body temperature. Drink a lot of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.

Monsoon: Monsoon is the time when you need to be extremely cautious about your diet and food intake.  If you are outside, it is better to nibble on some fresh fruits than giving in to the temptation of spicy street food. Also protect yourself from insect bites.

Winter: Probably the most recommended form of exercise for pregnant women is walking, but when the weather’s not great, you might find yourself glued to the TV instead of walking. But remember: physical activity can help with pregnancy aches and pains, and it’s good for baby too. Don’t neglect it.