What is going on with your baby during week 29?

Changes in you at this stage Week 29

• As levels of prolactin increases in your body, your breasts may secrete colostrum.
• Prolactin also has a sedating effect causing you to nap more often just as you did in the first trimester.
• You may notice that your eyelids and face are becoming puffy especially in the morning. This is because of increased blood circulation. Your uterus now exerts pressure on your bladder - frequent trips to the washroom may also remind you of your first trimester.
• The tubes that link your kidneys, bladder and urethra are compressed which means you are not able to empty your bladder efficiently.
• You may also leak urine when you laugh or cough.

Good to Know in Week 29

Miscellany

• The extra pound that most pregnant ladies gain this week will be partly fluid.
• Some women feel peculiar about having a shower party before the baby arrives either due to cultural beliefs or just the feeling of jinxing things.

Oxytocin

• A synthetic hormone similar to one that your body manufactures naturally can be administered to induce labor. Oxytocin under the brand name Pitocin may be used to augment labor that is already happening. If your labor is taking unusually long to progress or is inadequate, your doctor may use oxytocin to move things along. The contractions produced are no stronger and no more painful than contractions that occur naturally during labor.

Wholesome Advice in Week 29

• Squatting during delivery opens up your pelvis even wider so the baby has more room to move down into the birth canal. Using the wall for support is a great way to practice. Once you have built up the strength you can try using a sturdy chair instead of the wall.
• Request your shower-giver to keep it short and simple. Baby showers are exhausting especially toward the end of your third trimester.
• Regular exercising especially squatting, swimming and walking can relieve constipation. It is tempting to just sit around but keeping your body moving slowly will keep your insides moving well. Leg cramps can also be prevented with exercise.
• Don't forget to kegel - it will keep your pelvic floor toned.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage

Posture and Meals

• Sit with a good posture when you eat as slouching can put extra pressure on your stomach. To ease heartburn chew gum or suck on lozenges (not mints) to produce a flow of saliva which may help control stomach acid. Good sitting posture helps ease backache and strengthens those muscles. Avoid lying down or stooping immediately after meals and if you have trouble sitting comfortably, place a pillow in the small of your back e.g. when driving.

Antacids

• Antacids are available over the counter at the pharmacy and do not contain ingredients that can be absorbed and therefore enter your baby's bloodstream. They merely neutralize acid in the esophagus and stomach. Avoid indigestion tablets which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Eating yoghurt and milk can help but cheese can worsen heartburn.

Drinks and Heartburn

• Avoid having a lot to drink with meals if you have heartburn issue. You tend to swallow more air when you drink while you are eating. Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks. If you feel like a carbonated drink, try orange juice with soda water or add soda water to any other favorite juice.

Common Concerns in in Week 29

I have become very clumsy recently - is this normal?

• Yes this is expected. It is a temporary side effect of pregnancy. You are now carrying more weight, your center of gravity has shifted with your growing uterus and your joints are all loosening due to pregnancy hormones. Tripping and falling is a huge fear but rest assured your baby is well cushioned in the waters and the bony pelvis provides adequate protection. If you do fall contact your doctor to be sure that all is ok with you. Avoid risky situations such as wet or uneven surfaces. If clumsiness is accompanied by dizziness, headaches, blurry vision or pain contact your doctor at the earliest.

I have become forgetful and this is bothering me.

• So much is going on in your head - everything is about to change very soon for you. Preoccupation with issues makes a person forgetful versus a clear headed individual. Carry a small notebook so that you can jot down reminders. Maintain a calendar. Keep items you often use such as your wallet in the same place.

Weekly Nutrition advice in week 29

• Depression during pregnancy can occur due to both simple and complex reasons.
• Changes in hormone impacts you at an emotional and physical level and can cause you to feel nausea, exhaustion and mood swings.
• Having a baby involves having a change to your personal circumstances - there is loss of freedom and even a reason for old buried fears and anxieties to reappear.
• Symptoms are negative feelings, mood swings and or detachment, disturbed sleep, panic attacks and change in appetite.
• You can include yoga into your schedule; it has proven to be effective in helping you deal with depression. Forms of yoga are many but they all aim at balancing your mind and body thus leading you to physical relaxation and improved well-being.
• Pay attention to your diet as nutritional deficiencies play a role by causing your hormones to go out of whack. Zinc deficiency is common during pregnancy; eat zinc-rich foods such as eggs, sunflower seeds and whole-meal bread.
• Also boost your intake of vitamins C and B complex.
• Avoid sugary foods and stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol which has an adverse effect on mood.
• Discuss your feelings with a counselor or friend