Guide to Being 29 Weeks Pregnant

You've certainly gotten the hang of pregnancy by now, and the third trimester brings its own set of challenges. Wasn't it only recently you felt light on your feet and looked adorable in maternity clothes? That will all start to change right around 29 weeks. Here are some of the happenings in your body at this point in your pregnancy:

Now that we've covered all the lovely things happening to you right now, let's focus on the reason you're going through all this -- your baby's growth and development during week 29.

Your little guy measures about 16.7 inches from head to toe. He also weighs about 3 pounds (think of a small watermelon). While this is pretty close to how tall he'll be at birth, your baby still has a ways to go in weight. In fact, in the third trimester of pregnancy alone, your baby will double -- and could even triple -- his weight!

Your baby is far from chunky, but he's starting to accumulate white fat, the thickening baby fat that forms under the skin and contributes to his adorable chubbiness. White fat is also an energy source, which may be one reason this is the time when your baby really wakes up in the womb!

It's a truly active time for your baby, as he starts to respond to outside stimuli by kicking, rolling and maybe even throwing a swift elbow to your ribcage. Some jabs may even literally take your breath away! Your baby still has some wiggle room in your uterus, and he'll take full advantage of it as he grows.

This is a prime time to plan together for what's ahead but still enjoy each other alone. You may have started birthing classes together, begun shopping for nursery furniture and supplies and arranged for maternity or paternity leave from your job. Basically, you eat, sleep and breathe baby, but there's no reason to keep your partner on the back burner. Take some time for romantic dinners, movies and other activities you enjoy together that you won't be able to do for a while after the baby makes his debut.

Since babies can now respond to light and sound stimuli, take advantage of getting to know your baby from the outside in. Shining a flashlight on your belly and playing music near the baby can result in an amazing response. Try different musical styles, even if they're not your favorite. You may be surprised at what beats and rhythms your baby rocks and rolls to!

Now is the time to start consistently counting the baby's kicks and movements. In utero, babies like to be active when Mom is lying down (a habit that doesn't seem to go away for many years after they're born). You'll want to count at least 10 movements (including kicks, flutters and rolls) per hour. Baby taking a nap? Eat a small snack -- the sugar rush will wake him up and get him moving again.

Hopefully, your headaches are a thing of the past. However, if you experience severe headaches, blurred vision, a spike in weight gain (more than 2 pounds per week) and dizziness after 20 weeks, you may be experiencing preeclampsia, a serious condition that needs to be treated immediately. Preeclampsia can result in high blood pressure and elevated levels of protein in the mother's urine, which is toxic for both mom and baby.

Preterm labor is also something to keep in the back of your mind. Symptoms of preterm labor include menstrual-like cramps, leaking fluid (which could be a sign of your water breaking) or a feeling of pushing or pressure in your pelvic region. See your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms because you may be put on medication to help slow down or stop labor or be placed on bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy.

Babies are often head facing down at this point, but don't stress if your baby is still head up (also called the breech position). He still has plenty of room to turn around to prep for his big debut in a few weeks. Babies often turn at the very last minute.

You may also notice your blood pressure increasing a bit. As your baby gets bigger, your body works harder than ever to keep everything running smoothly; your doctor can determine if you need extra time to rest to help keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.