Your little one can control their body temperature and, for the first time, is sporting a head-size proportionate to the rest of their body. Their muscles and lungs are continuing to mature; and let's face it, they are running out of space!

Also this week, your baby's eyes are moving within their sockets, they're producing red blood cells in their bone marrow, and they're storing more fat beneath their skin. Your baby may even begin to settle into the proper birthing position (cephalic presentation, or head-first presentation) for delivery!

Okay, it's time to bring them up. Hemorrhoids. They aren't a pleasant topic; but as your uterus continues to grow, you too grow... more likely to develop them. What are hemorrhoids exactly? They are swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum and anus that may cause bleeding and discomfort. The good news is they should go away a few weeks after giving birth. In the meantime, include more fiber in your diet, drink plenty of water during the day, and avoid sitting for long periods of time. You might try soaking in a sitz bath or soaking a cold compress with witch hazel and applying it, to help with any discomfort. Witch hazel is usually be found at local drug stores and supermarkets. Before using any over-the-counter hemorrhoid medication, clear it with your midwife or doctor.

Another trick? Kegel exercises can help you keep hemorrhoids at bay! These pelvic floor exercises strengthen muscles supporting your urethra, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum, and performing them daily will increase the blood circulation to those areas (and help to prevent urine leaks before and after pregnancy). Performing Kegels regularly, before delivery, will make the second stage of labor – and healing after labor – easier.

How to do a Kegel:

Keep your stomach and leg muscles relaxed, and don't hold your breath. Tighten the muscles in your vagina as if you are trying to stop the flow of urine in the middle of peeing. Hold your muscles in this position - like you're sucking that urine all the way back up to your bladder - for about 10 seconds, and then release. Repeat this 10 times, for one set. Work yourself up to performing one set of Kegels, three to four times, per day.

In week 29, the negative aspects of pregnancy may be getting to you, mentally. Try your best to focus on the positive points of pregnancy. Look ahead to your due date, because this too shall pass, or switch mental gears entirely and fill out your baby registry. Or decorate the nursery!