34 Weeks Pregnant

Baby’s Development

Your baby has grown to about 45 centimeters — roughly the size of a small cantaloupe — and weighs approximately 2,100 grams, or about 4.7 pounds [1]. The vernix, that white and waxy protective coating, is thickening on your baby’s skin. The lungs are nearly mature, getting closer to being ready for that first breath. Your baby’s fingernails have grown past the fingertips — long enough that they may even scratch their own face in the womb. Body fat now makes up about 15 percent of your baby’s weight, and the skin is smooth and pink. The brain continues developing rapidly, and while movement is still strong, space is increasingly tight. If born now, your baby’s survival rate is 98 percent or higher [2].

Body Changes

Your uterus is now about 14 centimeters above your navel, roughly halfway between your navel and your sternum. A weight gain of 26 to 34 pounds by this point is typical. Your bump is large, and you may notice stretch marks, the linea nigra, melasma, more visible veins, and varicose veins. Your breasts may have grown by two or more cup sizes, and colostrum may leak occasionally. The “pregnancy mask” (melasma) can appear on your face, and swelling in your feet and ankles is common. Your heart rate may range from 80 to 100 beats per minute, and your center of gravity has shifted forward [2].

Tips for Week 34

• Begin perineal massage (this is optional) — spending about 5 minutes daily, using vitamin E, almond, or coconut oil. This gentle practice can help reduce perineal tearing at birth. Start gently, as weeks 34 to 36 are the typical window to begin.
• Address your sleep with a pregnancy pillow, side-sleeping, a cool room, a consistent bedtime, and avoiding screens for an hour before bed. Magnesium glycinate or Unisom (with your provider’s okay) may also help, and if anxiety is the root cause, talk to your OB.
• Address anxiety about labor by talking to your provider, attending a class, hiring a doula, reading evidence-based birth stories, and taking time to visualize the day unfolding.
• Ease pelvic pressure with Kegels, side-sleeping, a support belt, pelvic tilts, and prenatal physical therapy, and avoid standing for long periods.

Things To Do (Checklist)

• Begin perineal massage (5 minutes daily)
• Optimize sleep with a pillow, good positioning, and magnesium
• Address labor anxiety through a class, doula, or your provider
• Address pelvic pressure with Kegels, PT, or a support belt
• Continue kick counting (aim for 10 movements in 2 hours daily)
• Preeclampsia watch; fetal position

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my baby be early? A: Full term is defined as 37 to 42 weeks, and the average first baby arrives at about 40 weeks and 5 days. Babies born in the late preterm window (34 to 36 weeks) generally do well but may need a brief NICU stay. Talk to your OB about your specific risk factors [1].

Q: I’m having trouble sleeping. What can I do? A: This is very common. Try a pregnancy pillow, side-sleeping (left is preferred), a cool room, a consistent bedtime, avoiding screens, magnesium glycinate (with your provider’s okay), or Unisom. If anxiety is driving the sleeplessness, talk to your OB [2].

Q: I have hemorrhoids. Will they go away? A: They often do, but slowly — it can take weeks to months after birth. In the meantime, fiber, plenty of water, sitz baths, witch hazel pads, and topical creams (with your provider’s okay) can help. Surgery is rarely needed [1].

Sources

1. ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
2. Mayo Clinic — 34 Weeks Pregnant
3. Expecting Better — Emily Oster (Chapters 14-15: Third Trimester)