34 Weeks Pregnant

*Counting from the first day of your last menstrual period

Your Baby at 34 Weeks

Size: 17.72 inches (45 cm) - crown to heel
Weight: 4.73 pounds (2146 grams)

If born this week your baby may do well, or may struggle. Lung maturity can vary widely between babies and some who are born at 34 weeks only struggle to keep their temperature stable while others need full assistance to breathe and regulate a majority of their body's functions. Weighing in around the size of your average cantaloupe, it may feel more like you are carrying a bowling ball these days.

Body fat is continuing to make your baby look more like the picture-perfect sweetheart you have imagined. While this fat certainly helps them look nice, it has several other important roles including body temperature regulation and blood sugar control during those first days when food can be at a premium (especially if you are breast feeding). Designed to live on only a teaspoon of colostrum (or first milk) at each feeding, baby's body is ready to take on a few less calories temporarily. Most organs are matured at this week except for the lungs, which continue to produce surfactant and practice breathing movements for the big day.

For little boys, the testes will begin their journey from their previous home in the abdomen into the scrotum. If your baby is born with undescended testicles, don't worry - about ¼ of all baby boys have at least one that didn't make the trip down, but it probably will over the coming months without any problems.

Getting ready for birth, your baby should be head down (toward your feet) by now. If not, there's still a little bit of time for a turn, or your doctor may begin talking about a Cesarean- section just in case.

Mom at 34 Weeks Pregnant

By now the uterus is about 5-1/2 inches from the belly button and it feels like you are packing around a watermelon. But as we have been saying, every woman is different and every pregnancy is different - so some will carry and show in their own unique way.

The amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds and pads the baby will begin to decrease, and every movement may feel more pronounced as the padding between your uterus and your baby's elbows and knees diminishes.

You may notice your hands, feet and even your face start to swell a bit. With time and a half your normal blood volume in circulation, it can be a hard task for your body to manage all the extra fluid on board. Lots of walking or standing may cause swelling in the lower legs, but if you should suddenly gain a large amount of weight or your face swells, talk with your doctor as soon as possible. Blood pressure can make dramatic shifts during the last weeks of pregnancy even in women who have had no problems in previous weeks so it's important to be aware of any changes.

As the pregnancy progresses, some women grow weary with their discomforts and try to give labor a kick start by having sex or riding the lawnmower. Even though you may be tired of being tired, this is not the time to pull out the Cub Cadet and mow every lawn in your neighborhood. Baby still needs each and every day to grow and develop for life outside the womb.

Common Symptoms:
Sometimes the last weeks are about the truly unexpected events. As your body prepares for birth, you will notice new feelings and sensations from one day to the next. What happens for one woman may not happen for another. Some of the most typical symptoms to come can include:

• An increase in vaginal secretions (which are usually mistaken for broken water)
• Backaches
• A reduction in your breathing difficulties as baby drops into the pelvis
• Your baby may turn from a breech position to head-down
• Fatigue may increase
• Your nesting instinct (desire to prepare for the baby) may increase

Weight Gain:
Just as your baby grows, so do you and so do the scale's numbers. Total weight gain right now is between 21 and 27 pounds - and rising.

Tips/Advice:
With only a few weeks left in your pregnancy, the uncertainty of your delivery may be looming ahead. Many women fill the coming weeks with questions and attempts to be as prepared as possible. Now may not be a bad time to consider packing your hospital bag if you haven't already done so, and putting a few meals in the freezer for those busy first weeks at home.

Videos - 34 Weeks Pregnant

** Note: Every baby develops at a different rate. The numbers provided are averages based on a "typical" pregnancy. Your baby's size and weight may vary significantly. Your healthcare provider is the best person to interpret information on your baby's size, weight, health and development during your ultrasounds and pregnancy.

	Comment from GeminiGurl91 » Posted Mar. 5, 2014 10:13am 34 weeks today! Not to much longer to go.
	Comment from MillerbabyThree » Posted Jul. 8, 2013 10:37am Yay to 34 weeks :)
	Comment from Preciousbby4 » Posted Jul. 6, 2013 12:53pm Hi 34 weeks!! feeling lots of pressure down there, joints are def loss, my boobs are fuller...my body is getting ready for labor.
	Comment from 2Beemee » Posted Feb. 15, 2012 2:47am 34 weeks!!! My body is so confused! My feet swell a lot and my ankles hurt when I walk. Its getting harder and harder to stay on my feet for even 5mins. my nights vary from restful nights to uncomfortable nights. Baby hates when I get too full,he kicks and punches and moves so much I get nauseated. Heart burn is killing me! But av started having my dinners early and sleep 2hrs after dinner. I also fancy a glass of milk before bed. Am going for checkup tomorow as av developed a lump under my left armpit. Its huge but only slightly painful. I hope its nothing serious!!! I LOVE my baby!