34th week of pregnancy: is it already time to prepare things for the baby?

You are in the beautiful 34th week of pregnancy, just 6 weeks away from your calculated due date. Even though your due date is set for 6 weeks, your baby can normally be born 2 weeks before or after your due date.

Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnant belly that you will miss after delivery. Because the feeling of carrying your baby under your heart and feeling his movements is indescribably beautiful. It is stronger than the various inconveniences and complications with the size of your belly.

How is your baby developing in your tummy?

The fetus at this week of pregnancy weighs about 2150 g and measures 45 cm.

Your baby starts gaining a lot of weight in this week.

The table below shows the approximate measurements of the fetus at 34 weeks, as measured by sonography

For more information on fetal measurements, see the article:
Ultrasound in pregnancy: fetal size, what is fetal biometry?

From now on, the fetus will gain up to around half a kilogram a week. Its body will continue to coat itself with fat. Much of this is brown fat, which is needed to keep the newborn warm for the first few weeks after birth.

Brown fat contains more heat-producing cells than the white fat we are familiar with. It prevents hypothermia in the baby. This fat is found in the upper spine, back and shoulders of the newborn.

The fetus is currently in a curled-up position. Its legs are bent towards the chest because it no longer has enough room in the womb. At this time, the head should be in the pubic region.

If the baby were born now, it should be breathing unassisted after birth.

The development of the central nervous system, respiratory system and digestive system is almost complete.

The baby responds to light by blinking. His eyes are open only when he is awake. His pupils respond to light by contracting and dilating.

He is often asleep and awake during this period.

Your baby drinks the amniotic fluid and expels it back. The amniotic fluid is, of course, sterile. In about 3 hours, the entire contents of the amniotic fluid are replaced in this way.

The body is covered with a lubricant called vernix. The lubricant begins to thicken. Its production will continue after birth to protect the body from infections and fluid loss. It also regulates body temperature by not releasing as much heat from the newborn.

The nails grow and reach to the fingertips. The fetus can even scratch itself.

The movements are quite intense due to the lack of space in the womb, but the activity of the movements decreases. When moving, the limbs, back or buttocks are visible as a bulge on the abdomen.

In boys, the testicles are already seated in the scrotum.

If you are expecting twins, the weight is divided between the babies, but not equally. Usually one of the twins is slightly larger. If there are two or more babies in the womb, they no longer have enough room to grow.

How does a woman feel at 34 weeks?

Your body is already starting to prepare for labour. You may notice mucus on your underwear, which is secreted as the cervix thins. Discharge in pregnancy is normal if it is translucent or milky in colour. In small amounts it is normal.

More often come contractions, errands and abdominal hardening. They are irregular, of short duration and painless.

If the contractions start to be at regular intervals, pain also appears, or you notice amniotic fluid draining, visit the hospital. They will check to see if premature labour is starting.

You may have noticed uncomfortable decreased eye wetness and a feeling of worsening vision. Worsening vision can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

If the fetus is already lodged headfirst in your pelvis, you may feel kicking in your ribs.

You may begin to feel a lessening of symptoms for a change, which you will welcome. Slight relief from shortness of breath and heartburn is a sign that the baby is already lodged head first in your pelvis. With a slight drop, it no longer presses on your stomach and lungs.

There may be occasional leakage of urine. This is caused by fetal pressure on the bladder. You should be alert for any leakage of amniotic fluid.

The difference between amniotic fluid and urine (table)

Sleep problems. Often manifested by difficulty falling asleep and waking from sleep too early. Interrupted sleep due to waking up to go to the toilet. Waking up feeling tired and lacking recovery.

You may start to feel pain in your side from the increasing pressure of the uterus.

Sometimes you are surprised by a headache. Try drinking a glass of water and relax. Poor quality sleep or lack of fluids can manifest itself in this way as well.

You can read more about headaches in pregnancy in the article:
Headachein pregnancy: what causes it and what to do against the pain?

Back pain continues to persist. With the pressure of the baby and the increasing weight, there is more strain on the spine.

Bloating occurs. You may feel like you are going to burst or feel like a balloon. Bloating is a symptom of pregnancy and often persists until delivery, as does burping. It is a result of pregnancy hormones. Bloating and gas is a common symptom in pregnancy. You can relieve these symptoms by adjusting your diet.

Constipation and the appearance of hemorrhoids probably already bother you. If not, you are a lucky woman. By adjusting your diet with fiber intake and sufficient fluids, these symptoms can be alleviated.

Leg cramps are also a common enough symptom, especially at night.

You may experience hot flashes and increased sweating. These symptoms are caused by hormones.

Dizziness and lightheadedness are due to changes in blood pressure, the action of hormones.

Urinary tract infections can affect many women. Adequate intake of fluids, teas such as chamomile, burdock or nettle are recommended. Beware of urological teas. These are not recommended for pregnant women because of the composition of various herbs. Consumption of dried cranberries is also very beneficial.

Swelling also occurs because of the absorption of excess amniotic fluid into your body. Be sure to inform your doctor about this. It may be pre-eclampsia.

Mood swings are common. No wonder. Increasing weight and an enlarging belly, lack of sleep, hormones and restricted exercise all result in mood changes.

What can you notice?

Your tummy keeps getting bigger and you have trouble moving.

If you haven't noticed the first milk draining from your breasts, you will most likely notice the first spots on your bra this week. Your breasts are already preparing for breastfeeding.

Do you get brown spots on your face? Sometimes during pregnancy, brown skin maps appear on the face, especially on the forehead, above the cheekbones, above the lips and on the nose. This is an increase in pigmentation that is caused by hormones. These skin manifestations often subside during the sixth week.

Your hair glows with shine and is thicker.

Feelings of dizziness and body tremors may be the result of an increased metabolism. You should always carry some small snacks to balance your sugar levels.

Have you noticed that you are like a hound dog in pregnancy? Are you bothered by different smells, smells that no one but you can smell? It is the increased sense of smell in pregnancy due to the hormone progesterone.

Hormones make your gums more sensitive. You can bleed gums after brushing your teeth.

You are probably uncomfortable lying on your back. This is because of the pressure of the uterus on the artery leading blood to the heart. The artery is being squeezed, and this slows down the blood flow. Because of this, you may start to feel faint, so lying on your side is recommended.

You may have slowly got used to feeling tired, but now the tiredness is even more pronounced.

Your navel is bulging outwards.

What examinations can you expect at 34 weeks

If you've opted for one of the hospitals, you'll probably be monitored there from week 34 until you give birth.

In this week, if you are booked in for a consultation, you will have the classic tests that are done at your regular check-up. Urine tests, blood pressure measurements, weight monitoring and swelling.

If there are abnormalities on the large ultrasound at week 30, a follow-up sonogram will be done. The cord blood flow, fetal position and size, placental position and function, and amount of amniotic fluid will be measured.

If the placenta is no longer able to perform its function and the baby is not adequately nourished, a caesarean section is initiated to save the fetus.

The 34th week of pregnancy (6 weeks before delivery) is the last date for taking maternity leave.

What if the baby is born earlier?

If the mother is at risk of premature birth, corticosteroids are given until the end of the 34th week. This will speed up the maturation of the lungs.

The baby has a good chance of survival outside the womb.

From the 32nd to the 36th gestational week, the newborn is assessed as slightly immature. Births in the 34th to 36th gestational week are assessed as borderline immaturity or also late preterm birth.

The lungs should already be developed with enough surfactant. There should no longer be breathing problems and the baby will breathe on its own.

After the birth of a premature newborn, it is important to ensure postnatal adaptation. Such a newborn is treated by the nurse and the doctor of the neonatal unit. The Apgard score is assessed based on heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflexes and skin colour.

If necessary, supportive breathing of the newborn is performed and surfactant is given in case of underdeveloped lungs and respiratory distress. The baby is placed in a heated incubator to maintain his body temperature and prevent hypothermia. He is monitored in the neonatology department.

What can we recommend?

• Get plenty of rest.
• Get plenty of exercise, go for walks.
• Try yoga for pregnancy and breathing exercises, which will be beneficial during labour.
• Don't overexert yourself, don't lift heavy objects.
• Massage your skin for better blood circulation and to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
• Rub your breasts with a towel to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. However, don't irritate your nipples too much or you may trigger contractions.
• Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. It will allow better recovery after childbirth and also prevent urine leakage.
• Use a thin anti-leakage pad to protect you from unexpected and uncomfortable leakage.
• Don't forget a healthy diet, light meals containing minerals, calcium and especially iron.
• Eat smaller portions several times a day, add fruit.
• Talk to your baby, stroke him. He senses your touch and listens to your voice.
• Start reading books for mothers. Get information about breastfeeding and nutrition for women after childbirth.
• Prepare your first clothes, wash and iron them.

Check your maternity bag so you don't forget anything and have everything ready.

At home, start preparing your baby's things and equipment. Prepare your home for the baby's arrival. Now is a good time to enjoy the preparation in peace and quiet. You will avoid stress when you return from the hospital.

Read more about the next weeks of pregnancy in this summary article:
Pregnancyby weeks: How pregnancy and fetal development progress