Week 29 of Pregnancy

Hemorrhoids, Hormones, and Hard Facts

You're 29 weeks pregnant. Cue the third-trimester vibes: the "oh wow, this is getting real" sensation that sneaks up somewhere between rearranging the silverware drawer for the fifth time and maintaining a position supine that doesn't require an engineering degree. By now, you can whip through excitement and exhaustion like a pro. You may have felt your baby doing gymnastics at 2 in the morning, Googled "best pregnancy pillow for side sleepers" more than once and possibly even begun having dreams of labor (don't worry — that's your brain practicing, not forecasting).

Your body is a full-on baby-making machine this week, and it's manifesting in all sorts of crazy ways — some magical (baby hiccups!), some are just straight-up irritating (hi there, hemorrhoids). Your feelings can be all over the place, and that's fine. This is a time of transition — mentally, physically, emotionally. Your baby is almost ready to meet the world, but you're still growing as well. So let's talk about what's actually going on in your body, your baby, your brain and your relationship — because whatever it is, it's a hell of a lot, and we're offering way more than a chart and a checklist.

Your Baby at 29 Weeks: Brain Gains & Tummy Flips

Your baby now is about 15 inches long and weighs a little more than 2.5 pounds — the equivalent of a large acorn squash or a roast chicken on the small side, if that's more your thing. But the size stats are only the beginning.

Here's what's new this week:

• 🧠 Brain Boost: Your baby's brain is developing rapidly now, and is even beginning to regulate his or her own body temperature. This is a huge developmental event and a sign that baby is getting ready for life on the outside.
• 👁 Eye Movement: Those baby blues are now moving inside their sockets. Part of it is building sensory awareness and not too early when it comes to things like visual tracking.
• ❤️ Blood Cell Factory: The baby's bone marrow has also taken over red blood cell production from the liver and spleen which means a stronger immune system and better oxygen flow.
• 🍑 Fat Layers: Baby's skin is storing subcutaneous fat. It will aid in keeping them warm once born and provides that squishy baby look we all drool at.
• ↩️ Positioning Practice: Some babies begin to turn head-down this week (a good position for delivery). If they haven't gotten there yet — no worries. There's still plenty of time.

Your Body at 29 Weeks Pregnant: Fabric yourself for a conversation about hemorrhoids (yes, it's still glamorous)

Pregnancy is beautiful. It's also gross and weird and filled with body stuff nobody prepared you with over brunch. So let's talk about the third-trimester interloper that nobody wants to mention: hemorrhoids.

First Off — What Are They?

It is when the veins in your anorectal region become swollen. Hemorrhoids are just swollen blood vessels in your anorectal region. They can also be itchy and painful — and downright miserable. And they're far more prevalent than you probably realize— particularly as your enlarging uterus pushes down on your pelvic veins.

They can show up due to:

• (Another pregnancy classic: constipation.)
• Bearing down when having a bowel movement
• Long periods of sitting
• Overgrowth of vasculature in both vanity and lower body

How to Cope (and Maybe Even Avoid Them):

• 💧 Hydration = Hero Move: Drink water like you get paid for it. It softens your stool and keeps the digestion going.
• 🥦 Fiber-Packed Foods: Shoot for leafy greens, whole grains and fruit with skin. Your colon will thank you.
• 🛁 Sitz Baths: A warm bath for your bottom. Old-school but magical.
• ❄️ Witch Hazel Pads or Cold Compresses: Store in the fridge for max relief.
• 🧘‍♀️ Avoid Sitting Too Long: If you're chained to a desk, make sure to take a stand (literally) about every 30 minutes.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Kegels: Yes, again. These pelvic floor exercises can help improve circulation and prevent unnecessary pressure in all the wrong places.

🔔 Note: As always, please consult your healthcare provider before putting anything in or around your vagina.

The Unsung Hero of Pregnancy and Birth: Kegels

If there's one under-the-radar workout this trimester, it's Kegels. They may seem like something your yoga instructor would mutter in a soft voice, but believe me — Kegels are a crucial part of training your body for delivery, recovery and beyond.

Why they matter:

• Helps stop and prevent hemorrhoids.
• Strengthen »The muscles that help you push during labor
• Strengthen the bladder (no more surprise sneezes)
• Help to rebuild and strengthen your pelvic floor after childbirth

How to Kegel Like a Pro:

• Squeeze as though you're trying to hold back a stream of pee.
• Stay in that position for 8 to 10 seconds (no breath holding!).
• Relax. Repeat 10x.
• Aim for 3–4 sets a day.

You can actually do these while you brush your teeth, cook pasta or rage-watch baby sleep training TikToks.

Your Checkup: The Third Trimester Mind Maze

By 29 weeks, your body is aching, your brain is charging and your emotions have the capacity for more swings than the waistband of your maternity leggings. That's more than hormones — that's mental load.

You're probably:

• To-do lists in your sleep
• Second-guessing the number of burp cloths you've signed up for
• Mentally preparing for labor; or not having to mentally prepare for labor at all

Here's your permission slip to stop. You need not "finish" in order to prepare this week. Only concentrate on what feels achievable. Throw on a cozy robe, light a candle, Google "best diaper cream" that one time, then close the tab. You're still doing great.

Pregnancy Sex: It's Still Possible, Still Weird, Still Real (and Really Important)

Let's not skirt around it. Pregnancy shifts your sex life. It's all different, physically, emotionally, logistically.

This Is What You May Be Feeling:

• 'Do I even want to be doing this right now? (valid)
• "Is it safe?" (almost always, yes — unless your doctor tells you differently).
• "Will the baby feel it?" (nope, baby is afloat in a pod of bliss)

If positions need to be adjusted, or libido wanes and waxes as you age, then that's also a journey to navigate, and figure out how to safely accommodate the need for more or less sex than in the past. That's normal. And so are moments of feeling profoundly connected — or just "meh." What matters most? Open communication and boning support. If one of them is nervous, uncertain or involves second thoughts, they should talk about it.

And remember: There's more to sex than intercourse. Closeness, cuddles, slow dances in the kitchen — those are all forms of intimacy.

Caitlyn's Week 29 Winner-of-the-Week Experience 🏆

You're wrestling with physical symptoms, prepping for a massive life shift, and also, likely, remembering your dog's vet appointment. If that isn't power, then I don't know what is.

Hemorrhoids don't define you. You are not done in by exhaustion. You're not "only" pregnant — you're building an entire human and managing to keep your life rolling along.

So if it feels like this week is especially grim, confusing or generally wonky? That's not a sign you're failing. That is just what 29 weeks is: messy and beautiful and all yours.

Week 29 To-Dos (Because You're Still the CEO of This Pregnancy)

• 📸 Snap a bump pic (yes, even you in your "laundry day" pajamas).
• ✍️ Write in your journal the way that you are feeling really — uncensored.
• 🧻 Pregame just a few witch hazel pads to keep in the freezer.
• 💬 Have a conversation with your partner about intimacy — without pressure.
• 🛒 Hunt through your registry for postpartum recovery items (you'll thank yourself later).
• 💪 Perform your Kegels while you're waiting for your coffee to brew.