34 weeks pregnant means you are less than 2 months away from the due date. But, every pregnancy is different so take each day as it comes by. Here's all you need to know about week 34.
Baby Development:
Your baby is now size of a cantaloupe
The baby at 34 weeks is the size of a large melon. 34 weeks pregnant baby weight in kg is around 2.1 kg. Your baby's legs are bent at the knee due to lack of space. Pregnancy 34 weeks baby movement might be less active but more pronounced. You can feel their legs and toes movement through the belly. This could also be seen in 34 weeks pregnant ultrasound. Their sleep cycle constitutes rapid eye movement which means they can dream now. You still have a few weeks for delivery, but there might be exceptions. A baby born at 34 weeks is called a moderately preterm baby and might need a month of NICU care.
Body Changes
34 weeks pregnant belly might feel tight all day. You might be experiencing false contractions called Braxton Hicks. However, any instance of extreme diarrhoea and cramping must be brought to doctors notice immediately. Constant dull backache in the lower back, water breaking and extreme abdominal pain are few more 34 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore. The baby's head is causing pressure on your bladder which is why you feel like urinating often. The uterus is pushing against your diaphragm, so you will experience shortness of breath.
Find your due date/Calculating your due date:
Unless you've been tracking your ovulation, for a health practitioner to exactly know when you ovulated and conceived is hard to say. Most women ovulate about two weeks after the first day of their period. So, to calculate a standard timing, most health practitioners calculate the due date from the first day of your last menstrual period.
34 weeks pregnant symptoms:
Here are a few number of common symptoms a woman may notice throughout her Pregnancy Symptoms Week 34.- Shortness of breath
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Disturbed sleep
- Swollen hands and feet
- Constipation and gas
- Varicose veins
- Abdominal pain
- Foggy memory
- Fast-growing nails
- Leaky breasts
- Fatigue
- Itchy belly
Tips for You This Week
You can support your body to prepare for pregnancy by following the tips below:Take care of your joints by bending your knees rather than your back when you pick things up. This time is ideal to learn about premature labour symptoms like period-like cramps with or without diarrhoea, bleeding or spotting, etc. Invest in breast pads to help you with leaky breasts. Get plenty of sleep. Elevate your feet slightly when you sit. Always stand slowly after prolonged sitting or sleeping position as the blood pressure of the body is low at this stage. Try sleeping in a semi-seated position on your left side with one or both knees bent. Avoid exercising, eating or drinking too close to bedtime.