BABY DEVELOPMENT
Your baby still needs to grow. Their respiratory system has everything it needs to allow your baby to breathe, but it is still too immature to actually do so without a lot of help. The lungs are divided over 17 levels, forming the bronchial tree, but air exchange would be very difficult if your baby were to be born now. However, at this point there is usually enough surfactant (a substance that lines the inside of the alveolar surface, facilitating the opening of the cells and preventing sagging) and enough blood vessels to permit gas exchange such that infants born prematurely at this age may survive with intensive care. But it’s best to let baby grow a little more.
YOUR BODY
It has been 29 weeks since you have had a period – most women enjoy the pause! 29 weeks of amenorrhea translates to the 27th week of a pregnancy. No period means your body isn’t losing iron each month as if it would normally if you had your period. This definitely helps keep your iron levels up, which will help with carrying oxygen around your body – so important for you and baby.
NUTRITION
Did you know your Vitamin D levels during pregnancy could affect your baby? Preventing Vitamin D deficiency is important. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth. We get most of our Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight – now’s a great time to get out every afternoon or early morning and go for a walk. If you have little access to sunlight, speak to your doctor or dietitian for advice on supplementation.
TIPS
As much as you notice your baby bump feeling tighter of late, it is also getting a bit tight for your baby inside your belly. Your child’s happy somersaults in a big bath of amniotic fluid will soon be over. If, however, you are concerned about reduced movements of your baby, see your doctor immediately to make sure everything is okay.
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