29 weeks pregnant

Your baby

Your baby is gaining fat while organs continue to mature. The fine hair and protective coating on the skin are changing as pregnancy progresses. These changes unfold over several weeks, rather than finishing all at once. The butternut-squash comparison is an approximate guide to size, not a countdown to a particular birth date.

Your body

Bathroom trips, leg cramps or discomfort may interrupt sleep. You may also find yourself thinking more about labor and delivery. It is possible to feel both prepared and uncertain. If worry makes it hard to rest or function, bring that up as part of your care rather than treating preparation as a task you must complete alone.

This week

Talking through birth preferences

Start with two or three things that matter most to you about the birth experience. They might include communication, who supports you, comfort options or how you want decisions explained. Ask what is available at your planned birth setting and how preferences would be discussed if circumstances change. A written list is a conversation aid, not a guarantee that labor will follow a particular course. Include questions about an unexpected cesarean birth or a change in the baby's needs if those are on your mind. Your care team can explain options without requiring you to predict every possibility.