Week 34 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 34

• Watch out for tiredness (it feels like you're back in the first trimester), swollen ankles, and a lot of pressure. The baby's weight and position may cause haemorrhoids, frequent urination, and general pelvic pain

• At this point, you've used up all of your amniotic fluid and the baby is cramped. All this to say, you'll feel like you can't get any bigger

• Keep track of your kick counts and be aware of Braxton Hicks contractions. Consult your doctor if they become more severe or frequent. You want to ensure you are not in preterm labour

• At this time, Baby looks like a baby! They'll fill out more over the next six weeks. Most preterm babies delivered at 34 weeks will be healthy; they may just require additional time and care in the NICU

• At 34 weeks pregnant, your curious baby can hear and listen to your talks. In fact, the newborn may enjoy a lullaby or two. Some scientists believe that after delivery, newborns can recognise melodies their mothers sang while pregnant; they may even be more easily calmed by those familiar tunes now that they're "on the outside"

• If you are in Week 34 of your pregnancy you are in the third trimester and in the eighth month

• 6 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 34

The vernix that shields the baby's skin thickens, preparing it for life outside the womb. The vernix serves as a protective barrier between the baby's developing skin and the amniotic fluid. Eventually, it will help to protect the baby's skin during birth.

If you're having a boy, he'll be going through some significant changes this week. At this stage, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen to his scrotum.

Basically, a foetus at 34 weeks looks very similar to when they are born, but with less body fat. At this point, it's all about the last touches.

At 34 weeks pregnant, your baby's fingernails are still growing and nearly reaching the end of their fingers. They may even be born with a scratch on their face or leg due to their long nails.

• Baby Weight: Over 2.2 Kg
• Baby Length: 20 inches long
• Baby Size: Comparable to a cantaloupe.

Baby's Position at 34 Weeks

Your baby is, or will soon be, positioned head-down and bottom-up. They're sitting lower in your belly, so while you may be able to breathe easier due to less pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, you'll most likely feel some forceful kicks from your ribs.

Your Baby's Brain is Developing

Sleep is necessary for the proper functioning of both your nervous system and your baby's. It's a good thing they're getting into a better sleep schedule now since their brain continues to form new and intricate connections. What makes things even better? They can get some shut-eye, literally, by closing their eyelids while sleeping and opening them when awake.

Learn more about your pregnancy, including pregnancy planning and nutrition, so you can enjoy this amazing journey even more. You now have the facts and know what to do, so you can devote some time to connecting with the little one growing inside you.

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 34 of pregnancy, your body is rapidly changing. As your baby grows, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

• Your vision may be blurred. What are the most likely culprits? Hormones, sleeplessness, and fluid retention. If you have visual difficulties in addition to a headache, swelling, or rapid weight gain, you may have preeclampsia. Contact your doctor right away
• Your baby is exerting pelvic pressure as they travel into the lower abdomen before making their grand arrival. You'll also feel compelled to urinate regularly. But there's good news: because your baby is now farther away from your rib cage and lungs, you may be able to breathe more easily
• Stretch marks and itchy skin are common during pregnancy, but extreme itching may be indicative of obstetric cholestasis (OC), a liver condition. Itching with a rash on and around your stretch marks may also indicate pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). Although not hazardous, PUPPP can be uncomfortable. Consult your doctor if you suspect OC or PUPPP
• Your added weight and changed centre of gravity can cause you to feel awkward, increasing your risk of falling and straining. Even if you're busy preparing for your little one, try to calm down, wear comfortable shoes, and avoid heavy lifting
• As your due date approaches, Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent. They're not dangerous or harmful, but keep an eye out for real contractions, which are more severe and occur every 10 minutes or so. If you feel you are in preterm labour, contact your doctor right away

Body Changes This week

You will feel and see your belly move! With less amniotic fluid and less space in your uterus, you'll probably notice some of your baby's bodily parts pushing out beyond the curve of your belly. Can you guess what the hump could be?

Many women suffer swelling in their ankles, feet, and hands, particularly in the late stages of pregnancy. A few simple puffiness-reducing tips can help you feel better and enable you to recognise when oedema is a sign you should report to your doctor.

34-week Ultrasound

You'll most likely visit the OB this week, as you usually do every other week. If your doctor prescribes it, you may receive a biophysical profile (BPP), which is a combination of an ultrasound and a unique non-stress test that records the baby's heart rate for 20 minutes. Together, these two tests allow the doctor to establish that the infant is responding well to stress and doing well.

Enjoy your next week off, because you will have weekly OB appointments beginning in week 36. Around 36 weeks, you will most likely be given a Group B strep test, which includes a vaginal and rectal swab. Ten to thirty per cent of pregnant women test positive for Group B strep germs, which can be dangerous to the baby if transmitted during delivery. If you test positive for Group B strep, it's not a major deal; you'll just need to take antibiotics during labour and delivery. Consider picking up a new book to read in the waiting room.

Your Baby Bump at Week 34

Your tummy may appear slightly or significantly lower than it did a few weeks ago. That is because the baby may have dropped further into your pelvis. Because your lungs are larger, you may be able to breathe more easily. The disadvantage of this drop, of course, is increased pressure on your bladder, so expect to make more trips to the ladies' room in the following weeks.

At 34 weeks pregnant, your tummy should measure between 32 and 36 centimetres from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone. If you measure slightly larger or smaller, it could indicate that the baby is larger or smaller than average, is in a breech or sideways position, or has an irregular level of amniotic fluid. Anything out of the norm with fundal height (belly measurement) may lead your doctor to conduct an ultrasound to determine the cause.

Amniotic fluid levels are at an all-time high between weeks 34 and 36, thus your tummy may not grow significantly after this point. That's because fluid will decrease, allowing the baby to expand and squirm around. Still, they're becoming snug in there, so movement begins to feel slightly different around this time.

Continue to check in on the baby by counting kicks. Set a timer twice a day and see how long it takes for the baby to move ten times. (It should last an hour or less.) Inform your doctor about any significant changes.

If you're pregnant with twins, you may be feeling itchy. That could be a subtle psychological cue that the babies will arrive shortly. The clock has officially begun for twin moms-to-be since most twin pregnancies end around 36 weeks.

Mom's Tip for Week 34

Your baby is outgrowing their living space. By the time you're 34 weeks pregnant, they're out of space and will take anything they can get, which sometimes involves snuggling under your rib cage with their feet outstretched. If your baby's posture makes you uncomfortable, try shifting your body position, performing pelvic tilts, or lightly massaging the achy area to encourage your baby into a less troublesome pose.

Tips and Exercise at Week 34

Being 34 weeks pregnant marks an important milestone for both you and your baby. Here's some more professional advice on how to make the transition to this new stage as safe as possible for you and your little one.

• Swollen feet are difficult enough to deal with; don't trigger them by adding fluid-retaining salt to your diet. Keep an eye on any prepared foods you eat, and seek low-sodium options wherever possible
• If you get Braxton Hicks, it may be a warning that you should drink more water, as dehydration is a major contributor to these contractions. Drinking plenty of water is also beneficial because it relieves and prevents constipation
• Haemorrhoids are unpleasant, but you can make them a bit more bearable by giving them some TLC. A warm sitz bath and witch hazel pads can help, as can spending a lot of time on your feet. Sitting for too long puts strain on the haemorrhoidal blood vessels. Constipation is another cause of haemorrhoids, so try your best to keep things going smoothly
• Prepare your mind and body for bed every evening, and you might have a greater chance of sleeping through the night. Try a few gentle prenatal yoga stretches at night to relieve aches and pains, eat at least three hours before bedtime to allow your meal to digest, and avoid late-night TV and social media scrolling as the light from screens can disrupt your body clock, preventing you from sleeping. If you need something to help you fall asleep, read a few pages from a book

Checklist for Week 34

• Write your baby shower thank-you notes
• Learn what to expect if the baby is breech
• Install and examine the car seat
• Ensure all baby-related preparations are completed
• Continue to get prenatal appointments on a regular basis and keep track of any symptoms

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 34 of Pregnancy

1. Can watching TV affect my pregnancy?
   You're typically urged to put your feet up and relax during pregnancy, and many expectant parents may watch their favourite TV show to keep themselves entertained while doing so. Watching TV while pregnant is not inherently hazardous, but it is crucial to maintain good habits. It's common for pregnant people to spend large periods of time watching TV (or scrolling on their phone), but if you don't also get some physical activity, you're more likely to develop gestational diabetes. Experts suggest that pregnant women engage in 150 hours of moderate physical exercise per week to ensure a safe pregnancy.
2. Is it normal to have hearing problems during pregnancy?
   Pregnancy can affect the ears in a variety of ways, including hearing loss, the sensation of ear obstruction, tinnitus, and even vertigo. These are quite common symptoms, and you may also experience headaches. Hormones, increased blood flow, elevated blood pressure, iron deficiency, and, in rare circumstances, bone growth are all possible causes of these changes in your ears. Pregnancy can also cause swelling in the sinuses, including the ears. If you notice a substantial change in your hearing, you should notify your doctor, but be assured that it is most likely simply another normal side effect of pregnancy.