Your baby is now around 40 centimetres long and weighs around 1.15 kilogrammes, or 2.5lbs. His eyes can move around in their sockets and he may begin to react to light shone directly onto your bump.
It’s not just light that your baby is sensitive to, but also sound, touch, taste and even smell. His head and body now have the proportions they will have at birth and he’s now acquiring fat deposits under the skin to get ready for his worldly debut.
What's happening with mum?
Many women suffer from varicose veins and hemorrhoids in their final trimester, and if your mother experienced these during pregnancy then unfortunately you’re more likely to. But these complaints aren’t completely unavoidable. Exercise will help reduce the likelihood of weak veins, as will avoiding standing around for long periods (perhaps wearing support tights if you have no choice about standing around a lot) and elevating your legs frequently to help your body cope with the increasingly tough work of circulation.
A very active baby, concerns about premature labour, birth plans and life changes may all be keeping you awake at night, particularly if you’re finding it hard to settle into a comfortable position on your side. Try supporting your bump with pillows, cradling a pillow or two between your legs can help you feel more stable. Many women find the special banana-shaped bead-filled pillows particularly supportive, and they're great for baby and nursing afterwards too. You’ll also have been learning relaxation techniques in your antenatal classes, so when’s a better time to practice them than when you’re feeling anxious and tired.
This week is the first week that you can start your maternity leave.
NB: All pregnancies are different and fetal growth rates vary, this is meant only as an approximate guide to development. If you have any concerns about your developing pregnancy then speak to your doctor.
Three stages of labour - Help prepare yourself for labour by reading up on the three stages.
Pain relief in labour - These days women have plenty of options when it comes to reducing pain in labour, both from medical sources and from complementary therapies. Here's what you need to know.
Writing a birth plan - Once you're more familiar with what usually happens you might want to start thinking about writing a first draft of a birth plan.
Busy baby - 
Feel like I have to sit up really straight as womb just under my ribs and pinching. So much movement, all the time really – hope it is not due to the amount of sugar I am eating! 
Blogs Isabelle for week 29. As you get underway with your third trimester you can easily keep an online blog of your own.
Are you sitting comfortably? - I'm in my last trimester and my bump is now very high! I'm finding it really uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time. It feels like my bump is pressing right into my chest! Anyone else experiencing this? Anthing I can do to make sitting more comfortable!? Join in the chat on the forum.
If you've got experiences of your own to add then why not share them with other ThinkBaby members in the pregnancy or birth folders?
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