The final stage of your pregnancy journey is marked by reaching 34 weeks pregnancy. Now your child is practicing breathing, storing fat reserves, and searching for their birthday, while your body adjusts to meet the demands of conception in the third trimester.
In 34 weeks, your baby’s lungs should be ready for life outside the womb, and you can already see more obvious signs of labor, such as an increase in Brexon Hick contraction or changes in their movement patterns.
We all need to learn about pregnancy week 34, for your child’s development and monitoring, to provide you with a practical checklist for a pregnant woman at 34 weeks.
34 Weeks Pregnant at a Glance
Gestational Age: 34 Weeks (8 months and 2 weeks).
Trimester 3: Welcome to your third trimester of gestation! Now is an important stage in this journey and should not be ignored.
Baby Size: 45 cm (the length of a cantaloupe).
Baby Weight: Around 2.1-2.3 kg.
Due Date Countdown: About six weeks remain!
By now, your baby should be focused on gaining weight and strengthening his or her lungs, while you may be managing new 34 weeks pregnant symptoms such as pelvic pressure, swelling, and disturbed sleep.
Your Baby’s Development at Week 34
At week 34 of gestation, your unborn child is close to being ready for life outside.
Key Developments this week:
Breathing Practice: Even though still in amniotic fluid, your baby is practising breathing by inhaling and exhaling fluid into their lungs in preparation for air breathing.
Fat Storage: Underneath the skin, layers of fat are being stored to help your baby maintain the right body temperature after birth.
Brain Development: Neurons are firing rapidly to form pathways for learning and memory storage.
Strengthen immunity: Your baby receives more antibodies from you to increase immunity and strengthen his or her defenses.
Status: In the womb at 34 weeks, most children go into their head-to-down position; However, some may still be in breech or sideways.
Baby size in 34 weeks of pregnancy: an average, about 2.2 kg weight and 45 cm long, equal to a honeydew melon.
Your Body & Common Symptoms at 34 Weeks Pregnant
At 34 Weeks Pregnant, it’s important to keep track of your body & symptoms to stay on the safe side. Here’s the latest from Bumpers Medical on what might happen when the pregnant body experiences stress at 34 Weeks.
Your body is doing double duty right now: supporting your growing baby while simultaneously preparing to give birth.
Common 34 weeks pregnant symptoms include:
Shortness of breath: Uterus pressing against the diaphragm.
Back Pain and Pelvic Discomfort: Carrying extra weight strains muscles and ligaments. This can result in back and pelvic discomfort.
Frequent Urination: Your baby may be pressing down on your bladder and prompting frequent urination.
Braxton Hicks Contractions: With practice comes regularity – an advantage in managing Braxton Hicks contractions.
Liki breast: Colostrum, early stages of milk production, may begin leaking out.
Inflammation: Light edema is common in the ankles and legs.
Sleeplessness and vivid dreams: Relaxation can be challenging because your stomach expands.
Mothers often describe pregnancy week 34 as an expectation and inconvenience, after fatigue with a lack of energy.
34 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms Not to Ignore
Though pregnancy discomforts should be expected, certain 34 weeks pregnant symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Noticing any symptoms? Contact your doctor immediately.
Constant headaches or blurred vision (potential preclampsia) should be closely monitored. Anthropy. Vaginal bleeding or fluid discharge. Substantial reduction in fetal movement. Regular, painful contractions (possible early labor) should be monitored closely, as this could signal early labor.
Understanding the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions at 34 weeks can be key. Signs of labor could include frequent painful contractions every few minutes, bloody show, or water breaking.
Is 34 Weeks Considered 9 Months Pregnant?
Pregnancy math can be confusing! At 34 weeks pregnant, you are in your 8th month rather than your 9th month of gestation.
Here’s a breakdown:
Month 7: Weeks 28-31
Month 8: Weeks 32-35 include Month 9: Weeks 36-40. So no you haven’t reached nine months yet, but are coming close.
Is It Safe to Deliver in 34 Weeks?
Babies born between 34 weeks of gestation are considered late preterm. Survival Rate with Neonatal Care: Over 99%.
Challenges: These individuals may require assistance with breathing, feeding, or controlling body temperature.
Long-term Prospects: Most babies make significant developmental strides within one year of being born.
Although gestation between 37-40 weeks offers the highest chance of a healthy birth, modern medical support offers babies born at week 34 an exceptional chance of survival and development.
Do Baby Movements Change at 34 Weeks?
Yes, fetal movement at 34 weeks of gestation differs significantly from earlier weeks of pregnancy. Due to less space available for gestation, movements may feel less sharp but more rolling, stretching, and shifting. An increase in daily movements should still be apparent; any decline should serve as an alert.
Doctors recommend kick count: At least 10 movements within 2 hours are considered normal. In week 34, your baby’s movement can provide a comforting sign of their good health.
How to Increase Fetal Weight in 34 Weeks?
If your doctor is monitoring your child’s development, you can learn how to promote healthy weight gain.
Tips to increase fetal weight when 34 weeks pregnant:
Eggs, lean meats, beans, and lentils are among many protein-rich foods. Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oils all provide healthy fats that contribute to overall good health.
Iron and folate: Eat leafy greens, strong grains, and supplements as a source of iron and folate.
Repeatedly small food: Consumption of small food throughout the day helps to maintain energy balance and maximize nutritional absorption.
Hydration: Hydration is important in placing amniotic fluid at optimal levels during contraception.
Be sure to seek medical advice before making major diet adjustments, especially if you have the management of pregnancy diabetes.
Your 34 Weeks Pregnant Checklist
As you progress toward 34 weeks of gestation, a checklist can help keep things organized.
To-Do List This Week:
Prenatal Visit: Track your blood pressure, baby’s development, and positioning during gestation.
Kick Counts: Monitor daily the fetal movements.
Pack your hospital bag: Items required for labor and postpartum recovery.
Plan of maternity leave: Confirm dates with your employer before planning your maternity leave.
Set the child’s place: Wash clothes, prepare the cradle, and install the car seat.
Use relaxation techniques: Breathing practice and soft stretching practice are great ways to relax.
Review Birth Plan: Discuss with Your Healthcare Provider.
As you wrap up week 34, your body is just finishing its preparation for the main event: ovulation. The journey is just beginning, and what happens next is crucial.
Ready to find out about ovulation, fertilization, and the very first signs of development?
Continue to Week 35 Pregnant: Your Next Steps and What to Expect
FAQs About 34 Weeks Pregnant
1. How Many Months Is 34 Weeks Pregnant?
You should be in your 8th month.
2. Is Premature Delivery Dangerous?
3. Is preterm labor possible at 34 weeks?
4. Should Baby Movements Reduce at 34 weeks?
5. What is a baby’s average weight at 34 weeks of gestation?
Around 2.1-2.3 kg.
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