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29 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby Kicks, Stretches and Grasps

Medically reviewed by

Sarah Riffle, RN Jul 30, 2026

Line illustration of a marrow: at 29 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a marrow, roughly 25 to 27cm crown to rump

Line drawing of a 29-week foetus kicking and stretching with an open hand, learning to grasp

Line drawing of a woman's torso at 29 weeks pregnant, showing the uterus inside a high rounded third-trimester bump

Your baby is the size of a

Marrow

~1.1 kg

~26 cm / ~10.2 in

Key Takeaways

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby can kick, stretch and make grasping movements, according to Mayo Clinic. Mayo gives no size at week 29 — but nearest weeks bracket it: about 250mm crown to rump at week 28, and more than 270mm by week 30.

Movement awareness becomes a daily habit now. SOGC advises being aware of changes in your baby's usual activity level, especially in the third trimester, and says if a kick count gives fewer than 6 movements in 2 hours, contact your provider promptly.

Third-trimester nutrition steps up a little. SOGC states that in the third trimester you need about 450 extra calories, and advises increasing your daily iron intake to 27mg daily during the final six-plus months of pregnancy.

Your Baby at 29 Weeks: Development & Growth

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby "can kick, stretch and make grasping movements," according to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic gives no size at week 29 — the nearest weeks put your baby at about 250 millimetres crown to rump and about 1,000 grams at week 28, and more than 270 millimetres and nearly 1,300 grams by week 30.

The headline this week is movement. Mayo Clinic explains that "twenty-nine weeks into your pregnancy, or 27 weeks after conception, your baby can kick, stretch and make grasping movements." The grasp is the new arrival — small fingers learning what they can do.

How big is your baby? Mayo Clinic doesn't give a figure at week 29, so it is more honest to bracket it. At week 28, Mayo Clinic says your baby "might be nearly 10 inches (250 millimeters) long from the top of the head to the bottom of the tailbone, called crown to rump, and weigh about 2 1/4 pounds (1,000 grams)." By week 30, that grows to "more than 10 1/2 inches (270 millimeters)" and "nearly 3 pounds (1,300 grams)." Your baby this week sits somewhere in between.

The nervous system has been coming online in the weeks just before. Mayo Clinic notes that by week 28 "the central nervous system can control body temperature," and that it "can trigger breathing movements, which can be seen on an ultrasound." Quiet rehearsals for life outside.

Length is still measured crown to rump at this stage, tailbone to the top of the head. It is the standard way to track a baby who spends most of the day curled and folded — and increasingly, running out of room to do so.

Your Body at 29 Weeks: Symptoms & Changes

At 29 weeks pregnant, the common discomforts of the third trimester can come and go. SOGC lists backaches, headaches, constipation, leg cramps and mood swings among them. This is also the stretch when noticing your baby's movement pattern becomes a daily habit, and when your body keeps changing shape to carry a growing baby. Every pregnancy is different.

Symptoms are individual, and this week is no exception. SOGC opens its guidance plainly: "Every pregnant woman is different. Some will sail through pregnancy with very few symptoms, and others will be dogged with multiple discomforts throughout the 9 months."

What is common? SOGC lists backaches and headaches, "constipation, gas or bloating," leg cramps, breast changes, frequent urination and fatigue among the usual discomforts. Any of these can be part of a third-trimester week.

Mood matters too, and SOGC draws a clear line. It notes that mood swings "are not usually severe," but adds: "Depression or disruptive mood swings are not normal and it is important to seek help for these more serious concerns." That is a symptom to raise, not ride out.

Your shape is still shifting, and it isn't only the baby. SOGC explains that weight gain also comes from "your placenta, increased blood volume, larger breasts, and fat stores to support breastfeeding." For a woman who started at a healthy weight, SOGC's recommended total gain across pregnancy is "11.5 to 16" kilograms.

The theme running under all of it is movement. SOGC says it plainly: "It is a good idea to be aware if any changes in your baby's usual activity level, especially in the third trimester." Getting to know your baby's rhythm is the work of these weeks.

What to Do at 29 Weeks Pregnant

NUTRITION AT 29 WEEKS PREGNANT

Add the third-trimester calories — but modestly. SOGC states: "In the third trimester, you need about 450 extra calories." It notes this "generally equates to 2 or 3 additionally servings from any of Canada’s Food Guide’s food groups" — for example a piece of toast and a cup of milk. It is a small top-up, not a licence to double portions.
Stay on top of iron. SOGC advises increasing "your daily iron intake to 27mg daily during the final six+ months of pregnancy to support an increase in red blood cells and fetal tissues," and adds that, "like most women, you may need a good supplement to meet this need."
Keep fibre up to ease constipation. SOGC notes you’ll need "2-3g more of fibre in your diet daily for a total of 28g," and that "this added fibre helps reduce constipation" — a common third-trimester complaint.

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE AT 29 WEEKS PREGNANT

Keep taking 400mcg of folic acid daily. The Public Health Agency of Canada states that "a daily multivitamin with 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid is recommended for anyone who could become pregnant," and advises: "Continue taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy and while breastfeeding."
Don’t raise your folic acid dose on your own. The Public Health Agency of Canada advises: "You should not increase your dose of folic acid beyond 1 mg per day without talking to your health care provider." A higher dose is a conversation, not a decision for the supplement aisle.
Use a prenatal that covers iron. SOGC notes that, like most women, "you may need a good supplement" to reach 27mg of iron a day — and the third trimester is exactly when this matters most.

LIFESTYLE TIPS AT 29 WEEKS PREGNANT

Start a daily movement check. SOGC advises being "aware if any changes in your baby’s usual activity level, especially in the third trimester," and notes "the best time for counting is often in the evening, when babies tend to be more active." Try it at the same time each day, lying down, so a pattern emerges.
Keep moving — aim for at least 150 minutes a week. SOGC advises that "pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week," spread across "at least 3 days a week, and up to 7 days a week." Walking, swimming and stationary cycling are all good options.
Keep up pelvic floor exercises. SOGC notes that "pelvic floor muscle training (e.g., Kegel exercises) can be performed every day to reduce the risk of urinary incontinence." Easy to fold into a daily routine.
Keep caffeine to 300mg a day. Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 300 mg for people who are pregnant. For reference, Health Canada puts one 8oz (237ml) cup of brewed coffee at about 135mg — so roughly two cups is the ceiling, and that total includes tea, cola and chocolate.

When to Contact Your Doctor or Midwife

Most of the third trimester is steady growth, not alarms. But some symptoms should always be checked. Contact your doctor, midwife or other health care provider if you experience:

Reduced or changed movement. SOGC advises: "If you ever have concerns regarding your baby's movement pattern, you should have the baby assessed as soon as possible." During a kick count, if you don't feel 6 movements (such as kicks, flutters, or rolling movements) in 2 hours, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible. SOGC adds that mothers should always trust their intuition.
Signs of preterm labour. SOGC advises contacting your health care provider right away if you have regular contractions less than 10 minutes apart, cramping in your lower abdomen, backache that comes and goes, pressure in your pelvis or vagina, or fluid leaking from your vagina. It warns: staying home thinking this couldn't possibly be labour because it is too early is dangerous. If contractions before 37 weeks don't go away when you change your activity, SOGC says it is very important to go to the hospital.
Any vaginal bleeding. SOGC lists vaginal bleeding among the signs of preterm labour to report right away. Any bleeding in the third trimester should be assessed — if it is heavy or you feel faint or very unwell, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Persistent low mood or disruptive mood swings. SOGC advises that "depression or disruptive mood swings are not normal and it is important to seek help for these more serious concerns."
Any symptom that frightens you. For anything that simply worries you, your health care provider is there for exactly that. Trust your instinct and make the call.

Questions fréquemment posées

How big is my baby at 29 weeks pregnant?

Mayo Clinic doesn’t give a measurement at week 29, so the honest answer is a bracket. At week 28, Mayo Clinic says your baby "might be nearly 10 inches (250 millimeters) long from... crown to rump, and weigh about 2 1/4 pounds (1,000 grams)." By week 30, it’s "more than 10 1/2 inches (270 millimeters)" and "nearly 3 pounds (1,300 grams)." Your baby this week sits somewhere in between — roughly 250 to 270 millimetres crown to rump.

What is my baby doing at 29 weeks pregnant?

Moving, with new skill. Mayo Clinic notes that at 29 weeks "your baby can kick, stretch and make grasping movements." The grasp is the newest of these — tiny fingers learning to close. These movements are also why this is the stage to start noticing your baby’s activity pattern.

How do I do a kick count?

SOGC explains: "To do a kick count, count the baby’s movements for 2 hours. If you don’t feel 6 movements (such as kicks, flutters, or rolling movements) in 2 hours, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible." SOGC suggests counting in the evening, when babies tend to be more active, and doing it "at the same time each day." If your pregnancy has risk factors, SOGC advises a daily kick count "starting at 26-32 weeks."

How much should I eat in the third trimester?

A little more, not a lot. SOGC states that "in the third trimester, you need about 450 extra calories," which "generally equates to 2 or 3 additionally servings from any of Canada’s Food Guide’s food groups." SOGC also advises increasing iron to "27mg daily during the final six+ months of pregnancy."

How much caffeine is safe at 29 weeks pregnant?

Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 300 mg for people who are pregnant. Health Canada puts one 8oz (237ml) cup of brewed coffee at about 135mg, so roughly two cups a day is the ceiling — and that total should include tea, cola and chocolate, which also contain caffeine.

Week 28 Week 30