Week 29

By the 7th month of pregnancy, foetal movement should be obvious and may cause discomfort at times.¹ It is important to start monitoring these movements as they can be used as an indication of your baby's wellbeing.²

Counting kicks can help familiarise yourself with your baby's normal movement patterns so you can identify if there are any changes that may need to be checked by your healthcare provider.^1,2

To count the kicks you need to follow the following steps:²

• TIME

  Start a timer and note the time it takes you to feel 10 movements

• COUNT

  Pick a time in the day when your baby is usually most active, and start counting. This should ideally be done at the same time every day

• PATTERN

  Compare the time it takes for 10 movements with past sessions

• CONTACT

  If there are any changes to the movement patterns, contact your healthcare provider or attend your hospital for further monitoring

You can also download the count the kicks app from their website: https://countthekicks.org/

• Constipation
• Haemorrhoids
• Sciatica³
• Restless leg syndrome⁴
• Skin changes (such as itching and sensitive spots on the belly, hips and thighs)¹
• Migraines
• Nasal congestion
• Braxton Hicks contractions
• Foetal movement

At 29 weeks gestation, your baby should now measure approximately 39–41 cm and weigh around 1.1–1.4 kg.¹

Your baby may be almost at their birth length at this time, but they will continue to put on weight – over the next 11 weeks, your baby will more than double their weight in most cases. Part of this weight gain comes from the deposition under the skin of 'white' fat, which is used as an energy source.¹

• Consistently taking folic acid is recommended,⁶ and the recommended amounts of vitamin A and D, iron and calcium⁷ which will also help support your oral health⁸
• Staying active and keeping a healthy weight can help support overall health⁹
• Try to avoid alcohol consumption and smoking^10,11
• Nourish your body with pregnancy-safe foods. Try to avoid foods high in mercury, such as mackerel and tuna, raw seafood, undercooked meat, poultry and eggs, unpasteurised foods and cheese with a mould rind such as brie, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and any herbal tea¹²
• Ensure any meat, fish or poultry is fully cooked through¹³

• Limit caffeine consumption to no more than 200 mg per day¹⁴

• Consider scheduling the Tdap vaccine with your healthcare provider. This vaccine helps to prevent a serious condition in newborns called whooping cough¹⁵
• Count the kicks²