Pregnancy Week 28 vs Week 29

Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks

📊

Time Difference

1 week apart

🔄

Trimester

Both in 3rd trimester

Baby Size Comparison

Growth Progress

Week 28Eggplant

Week 29Butternut squash

Your baby is approximately 71% through pregnancy

Week 28

📏

Length

14.8 inches

⚖️

Weight

2.2 pounds

🍎

Size Comparison

Eggplant

Week 29

📏

Length

15.2 inches

⚖️

Weight

2.5 pounds

🍎

Size Comparison

Butternut squash

What Changes Between Week 28 and 29?

👶New Baby Developments

✓Baby is delivering stronger, more forceful kicks that may even be visible through your belly
✓Bones are fully developed but remain soft and pliable to allow passage through birth canal
✓Baby can now control their own body temperature better
✓White fat is rapidly accumulating under skin, filling out wrinkles
✓Muscles continue strengthening and lungs are maturing with surfactant production

🤰New or Changing Symptoms

✓Severe heartburn and acid reflux as stomach is compressed
✓Hemorrhoids from increased pressure and constipation
✓Varicose veins in legs from blood volume and pressure
✓Fatigue returns as carrying extra weight becomes exhausting
✓Significant pelvic pressure and heaviness

📈Key Changes Summary

Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.

Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.

Baby Development Milestones

Week 28 Development

•Welcome to the third trimester - the final stretch!
•Eyes can open and close fully and baby blinks regularly
•Baby can blink in response to light
•Lungs are capable of breathing air with medical support if born now
•Brain is developing billions of neurons with rapid growth in cerebral cortex
•Baby is adding fat layers making skin less translucent

Week 29 Development

•Baby is delivering stronger, more forceful kicks that may even be visible through your belly
•Bones are fully developed but remain soft and pliable to allow passage through birth canal
•Baby can now control their own body temperature better
•White fat is rapidly accumulating under skin, filling out wrinkles
•Muscles continue strengthening and lungs are maturing with surfactant production
•Head is growing to accommodate developing brain

Common Symptoms

Week 28 Symptoms

•Shortness of breath as uterus pushes up on diaphragm
•Trouble sleeping due to size, discomfort, and frequent bathroom trips
•Possible sciatic pain shooting down legs and buttocks
•Frequent urination returns as baby drops lower into pelvis
•More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions
•Swelling in feet, ankles, and hands

Week 29 Symptoms

•Severe heartburn and acid reflux as stomach is compressed
•Hemorrhoids from increased pressure and constipation
•Varicose veins in legs from blood volume and pressure
•Fatigue returns as carrying extra weight becomes exhausting
•Significant pelvic pressure and heaviness
•Trouble sleeping and finding comfortable positions

Nutrition Tips

Week 28 Nutrition

•Eat iron-rich foods (27mg daily) for increasing red blood cell production and baby's iron stores
•Include 1000-1300mg of calcium daily for baby's rapidly hardening bones
•Stay hydrated with 10-12 glasses of water despite frequent urination
•Eat 75-100g of protein at every meal for fetal growth
•Include vitamin D (600 IU daily) for calcium absorption
•Eat small frequent meals to avoid heartburn and breathlessness

Week 29 Nutrition

•Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day to minimize heartburn
•Include 30-35g of fiber daily with plenty of water to prevent constipation and hemorrhoids
•Stay hydrated with 10-12 glasses of water
•Avoid spicy, acidic, greasy, and fried foods that trigger heartburn
•Don't lie down for 2-3 hours after eating
•Elevate your head while sleeping to reduce nighttime heartburn