Week 34 of Pregnancy
Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe
Your Baby This Week
Development milestones for week 34
Your baby at 34 weeks pregnant measures approximately 17.7 inches and weighs around 4.7 pounds - about the size of a cantaloupe. The vernix caseosa, that waxy coating protecting your baby's skin from the amniotic fluid, is thickening. Most babies have settled into a head-down position by now, though some stubborn ones remain breech or transverse. If your baby is head-down, their skull is resting in your pelvis, which explains the increased pressure you feel. Your baby's fingernails have grown past the fingertips and may need trimming shortly after birth. The central nervous system and lungs are continuing to mature. Fat continues accumulating, giving your baby that adorable chubby look and preparing them to regulate their body temperature after birth. Your baby can hear well and may startle at loud noises or respond to familiar voices.
Your Body This Week
Changes you may experience
Pelvic pressure is significant now as your baby drops lower. Many first-time moms experience "lightening" in the final weeks, when the baby settles deeper into the pelvis. While this might make breathing slightly easier, it dramatically increases pressure on your bladder and pelvis. You might feel like you need to urinate constantly, even when very little comes out. Lightning crotch episodes may be more frequent. Braxton Hicks contractions are picking up - some women have them several times a day. They should remain irregular and non-painful. Swelling in your feet and ankles might be at its worst, especially by evening. The fatigue is relentless. Your body is working hard growing a baby while also dealing with the physical discomforts that make restful sleep nearly impossible. Many moms describe third trimester fatigue as unlike anything they have experienced.
Tips & Advice for Week 34
Practical guidance from real moms
Your hospital bag should be packed and ready. Essential items include comfortable clothes for labor, warm socks, your own pillow if the hospital allows, toiletries, phone charger, going-home outfit for you and baby, and the car seat. Many experienced moms recommend packing a hand stress ball for squeezing during contractions. Pack snacks for your support person and bring your own towels if you want something softer than hospital-issue. Keep the bags by your door or already in the car. Finalize your birth plan but remain flexible - births rarely go exactly as planned. Discuss your preferences for pain management, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, and feeding method with your provider and support team. If you have other children, prepare them for the new arrival and arrange childcare for when labor starts.
Medical Guidance for Week 34
What to discuss with your healthcare provider
Appointments may move to weekly starting this week or next. Your provider will check your cervix for dilation and effacement, though these numbers do not predict exactly when labor will begin. Discuss when to call or head to the hospital - typically when contractions are five minutes apart, lasting one minute each, for at least one hour. Know the signs that require immediate attention: heavy bleeding, fluid gushing, or decreased fetal movement.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.