Week 29 of Pregnancy

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is roughly the size of a butternut squash and weighing in around 2.5 pounds. This week marks a significant phase of brain development - your little one's brain is forming billions of neurons and getting more sophisticated by the day. The wrinkly surface of the brain is developing those characteristic folds and grooves that allow for increased surface area and cognitive function. Your baby can now blink, and those precious eyes are developing the ability to focus. Many moms describe feeling their babies respond to light at this stage - shine a flashlight on your belly and you might get a kick in response. The layer of fine hair called lanugo that has covered your baby is starting to disappear as fat deposits take over the job of temperature regulation.

Sleep is becoming a serious challenge, and this is when many moms finally invest in a pregnancy pillow. C-shaped pillows offer an "escape route" for easier bathroom trips, while U-shaped pillows provide full-body support without needing to rearrange multiple pillows when switching sides. Look for options with cooling, breathable fabric since pregnancy already makes you run hot. Start doing kick counts now - your provider will likely recommend tracking fetal movements. The goal is feeling at least 10 movements within two hours during a time when baby is typically active. Many moms find this easiest after a meal or a cold drink. This is also a good time to sign up for childbirth classes if you have not already. Hospital-based classes fill up quickly, and completing them before 36 weeks gives you time to process everything you learn.