34 Weeks Pregnant
How is Your Baby Growing at 34 Weeks?
At 34 weeks’ gestation, your baby’s brain is still developing (as it will continue to do so even after birth) and they may even be dreaming as they go through cycles of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
The bones are getting harder and harder with the exception of the skull bones, which remain soft until after birth. The softness of the skull is necessary to enable your baby’s head to move through the birth canal with ease.
How Big is Your Baby at 34 Weeks?
At week 34, your baby is 44.5 cm (about the size of a school bag) and weighs 2.1 kg.
What Happens at 34 Weeks?
The risk of pre-eclampsia increases after 20 weeks. Your midwife or GP will continue to monitor your blood pressure closely to check for the early signs of the condition.
If you are experiencing severe headaches, blurry vision, or excessive swelling, let your midwife know, as these are also common signs of pre-eclampsia.
Make sure you are sleeping on your left side at night as this is much safer for your baby. You might find movement and sleep extremely uncomfortable at this point, but use cushions and pillows to provide support.
What Symptoms Will You Have at 34 Weeks?
During week 34, you will likely be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions (false labour). Other common symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Piles
- Sleeping troubles
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Swollen hands and feet
- Vaginal infections
