34 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms: How Baby Grows, Belly Size & More!

Your baby is now almost ready to make her/his grand entry into this world! In your pregnancy week by week update, s/he  is now about 18 inches long and weighs about 2200 grams. Her/his lungs and central nervous system are also almost mature.

A baby born between weeks 34-37 although preterm, will generally not face many complications and might need just a short stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU). You might wonder, when is the right time to start with your maternity leave , if you’re working that is! There is no harm in continuing to work, if your pregnancy is progressing normally and if your doctor feels it’s ok. Work will keep your mind occupied and you will be able to stock up on your leaves for the post delivery phase!

If you are considering signing up for cord blood banking, then please mark it in your pregnancy week by week chart to review your options this week. Discuss with your doctor and read up reviews on BabyChakra before you choose. It is important that you know what questions to ask your bank at the presentation and not focus on the freebies offered! Your cord blood bank should be financially stable and hold all the necessary certifications. So, let’s get to know about what are the pregnancy symptoms that denote 34 weeks pregnant and how your baby looks during 34 weeks. So, keep on reading to find out.

34 Week Fetus Development 

Babies move from being “moderately preterm” to being “late preterm” at 34 weeks. Although a late preterm infant may appear to be full-term, they are still not completely developed. 

How Big Is A Baby During 34 Weeks Pregnancy?

Your child weighs about 2.1 kg and measures approximately 30 cm from head to toe. The immune system of your baby is growing. Your baby now can digest up to 1 litre of amniotic fluid and expel daily, along with an equal volume of urine.

34 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

It might now be extremely difficult to sleep at night, as turning and changing positions will get difficult. Your baby is growing week by week. You might also need to get up frequently to urinate which will also disturb your sleep. This is probably just nature’s way of preparing you for sleepless nights ahead! Excessive tiredness might happen often now and every ache and pain that you feel in your abdomen will raise an alarm, since you are expecting to go into labour anytime now!

Physical Development

If wearing leggings or pants irritates you, start wearing flowy skirts or dresses. Just make sure they’re not very long as there is the fear of tripping.

Emotional Development

The feeling of excitement and nervousness all at once, must be driving you crazy! You are excited to meet your baby and welcome a new member into your family, nervous if you are a first time mom, as labour is still unknown and scary. You might also feel apprehensive about coping with a new baby and new responsibilities. Just remember that maternal instincts will help you tide through and you will do just fine. 

Your Body At 34 Weeks Pregnancy

Bloating, heartburn are among the signs of 34 weeks pregnancy or pregnancy month 8 that you may still be experiencing during the pregnancy. Your kid is gaining weight, and by this time, its lungs are fully formed during your 34 weeks pregnancy. 

34 Weeks Pregnant Belly Picture

Image Credit: babycenter

34 Weeks Fetus Picture 

Image Credit: raisingchildren

34 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound: Do You Need It?

The abdominal sensor is used to perform a foetal ultrasound scan between weeks 34 and 36 of pregnancy during the third trimester. The foetus’s critical organs are all fully developed at this point in the pregnancy, and it is still going through a phase of rapid growth and maturation. Although it is generally thought to be risk-free, discuss the test with your doctor before deciding whether or not you want to undergo this 34 weeks pregnant ultrasound. 

Self Care Tips And Checklists For 34 Weeks Pregnancy

Here are some self care tips and checklists for leading the healthiest life possible during your 34 weeks pregnancy. 

• Keep your sunglasses in hand because your eyes can feel more dry and sensitive than usual during this third trimester.
• If you’re unsure whether reducing your salt intake would ease your puff or not! But that depends on how much salt you are already consuming. However, doctors recommend a low-sodium diet during pregnancy.
• Do light exercises to boost yourself up for the rest of the day.
• Love taking long baths? Then go right in, my love. The idea that contaminated bath water might infect the cervix and induce an infection is unfounded. However, make sure the water temperature is correct; it should be warm rather than hot.
• Do a skincare routine at least 3-4 days a week to make your skin glowing and supple.

• Be sure to discuss what to do if you believe you are in labour with your doctor. Having clear instructions regarding when to call your doctor about contractions, what to do if your water breaks, and whether or not to go straight to the hospital would be helpful.
• Treat yourself. You deserve some “me time” because you’ve been working so hard.

FAQs

Is the baby fully developed at 34 weeks?

Babies move from being “moderately preterm” to being “late preterm” at 34 weeks. Although a late preterm infant may appear to be full-term, they are still not completely developed.

What should I expect at 34 weeks pregnant?

Bloating and heartburn.

Can I deliver at week 34?

Yes, you can! But still check with your doctor.

What should I avoid at 34 weeks pregnant?

Drinking alcohol, smoking, taking stress, and consuming caffeine. 

What week does the baby drop?

Baby sort of floats from one side to the other of your uterus for the majority of pregnancy. To prepare for labour, your baby will likely start to move into the “head down” position permanently around the 33- or 34-week mark. At this point, the baby will also likely begin to descend deeper into your pelvis.

Takeaway

Some moms-to-be might develop a rash on the abdomen and other parts of the body. This could be a condition called PUPPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy) also called ‘Pregnancy induced rash’. This generally disappears post birth but it must be reported to the doctor as it could indicate an issue with the functioning of your liver and some medication may be required. Also, if you want to know about 35 weeks pregnant symptoms then check out this one and get all your answers. But if you aren’t still pregnant and want to conceive but unsure about when you can be intimate with your partner after or before your menstruation, then a pregnancy calculator can help in assisting you with the best date for the intimacy. Know more about it here!