Week 29 of Your Pregnancy

Ask around – you’ll find that frequent urination and swollen ankles are some of the common symptoms among expectant women! At 29 weeks, your baby is increasingly energetic and active. Here’s how to ensure your pregnancy diet is a-okay.

The third trimester is a time of great anticipation! Every baby will be different in terms of size and weight, but they are about 26cm long this week, and weigh about 1.1kg. In fact, don’t be surprised to find your baby doubling or even tripling its weight by the end of the third trimester!² 

By 29 weeks your baby’s lungs are functioning well. These vital organs will continue to be developed throughout pregnancy and into childhood³. Your baby’s brain is also so developed that it can control functions such as breathing and the regulation of body temperature¹. 

Has baby been kicking, prodding and poking? At times, it seems your baby loves working up a sweat in your bump¹! Take note of your baby’s movements, such as when it is most active, and talk to your doctor if you notice a change in your baby’s moving patterns.

Dealing with Swollen Feet and Frequent Urination

Are your feet and ankles becoming more puffy? Swelling is common, especially during the third trimester. This is because your baby is putting pressure on some of your veins as it grows. As a result, fluid from these veins tend to pool at the bottom of your legs. At the same time, your baby’s position in your womb puts pressure on your bladder, which increases your number of trips to the restroom. To ease the discomfort, here are some tips: 

• Prop your legs up when you can
• Do some walking or ankle-rotation exercises
• Cut down on salt (it encourages water retention!)
• Wear support stockings to reduce water pooling
• Drink sufficient water
• Avoid caffeine – it causes your body to increase the release of fluid (Pregnant.sg)

Thinking Ahead — Vitamin K for Labour and Birth

Last but not least, here’s a little reminder. Vitamin K is vital in helping blood clot. If we don’t take enough Vitamin K, baby may suffer from certain complications after birth⁵. This is why most babies are given a booster shot right after they are born. 

Thankfully, we just need a wee bit of Vitamin K – at 0.001mg a day for each kilogram of body weight⁴. To ensure you get enough Vitamin K, work these foods into your pregnancy diet! 

• Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage and kale
• Vegetable oils, especially soya bean oil
• Eggs
• Lean meat
• Dairy products