From Body carre we are going to see two pregnancies of two friends, from two different perspectives and countries, one from Latin America and the other from Spain. I hope you like it and see if you are able to find those little differences.
At 34 weeks’ gestation, fetal development is spectacular at this stage. Vernix is the white fat that covers the body of babies until they are born, and that begins to diminish in this phase. There are also hairs, which in some cases can even be seen on ultrasound.
With your hair, eyelashes, and nails already growing, your nails may need to be trimmed when you are born in the maternity ward so you don’t hurt yourself. Many babies are already born with scratches and bruises on their faces that are made with their nails still inside the womb. Your eyes do n’t have a defined color yet, since the pigmentation of the iris only completes a period after birth, so do not get excited if the baby is born with light eyes, everything can change over the months, although there is a great curiosity to know what color it will have the eyes . The baby’s nervous system is fully formed, as is his immune system. His lungs have already developed and if he were born this week he would likely be able to breathe normally. Every day your baby will be more ready to reach the world. You will notice that your belly goes down on these 34 weeks of pregnancy, because the baby is taking position.
Index
The internal sensations of the mother in the 34th week of pregnancy
Some mothers have signs of colostrum as early as the 34th week of pregnancy. It is very common to see colostrum before birth and if it touches you, rejoice, because it is a sign that you will not have problems breastfeeding during the first days. Back pain and poor sleeping position can bother at this stage, but enjoy every second, because even if you already have children, each pregnancy is unique!
At 34 weeks pregnant, pelvic pain can begin to intensify, especially when you walk. This is because the baby is already in the correct position and your body is preparing for delivery. Your cervix is opening more and the joints are loosening, in addition to this discomfort, training contractions can occur constantly and it is good to be vigilant in case they become rhythmic.
At this stage, fatigue is inevitable, and doing household chores can become increasingly difficult, ask for help from your mother, father or a close relative. Performing activities that require bending over, getting on chairs or picking up things on top of somewhere can become dangerous at this stage , avoid them as much as possible. Rest as much as possible and best if it is with your legs up to help blood circulation and, therefore, reduce inflammation.
Sensations and external factors in the 34th week of pregnancy
Mom, don’t feel guilty for having managed to do everything at the same pace as before, especially at home. If you feel like you can do something, fine, and if you have help, all the better. But don’t try to get over yourself. Soon you will have your baby in your arms and without a belly.
He can already hear what you say! Your curious baby is able to hear your voice, in addition to your conversations at 34 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, baby might enjoy a lullaby or two, so go ahead and sing a special tune to your baby. Some experts say that after birth, babies can recognize songs that mommy sang while she was pregnant. They can even be soothed more easily, by those melodies that are familiar to them once they are “on the outside.” Don’t worry, the baby won’t mind if you get a little out of tune.
How big is the baby at 34 weeks?
At 34 weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a pumpkin. With less than two months to go, your baby weighs about 4.7 pounds and is about 17.7 inches tall.
34 weeks pregnant, how many months is it?
34 weeks pregnant is seven months and about two weeks pregnant. You are only six weeks away from becoming a mom.
Symptoms of pregnancy at week 34
Symptoms at week 34 of pregnancy are similar to the previous weeks but can be quite uncomfortable at this stage, due to the extra weight.
- Vision slightly blurred. The combination of hormones, along with fluid build-up and lack of sleep, can affect your vision a bit. If this symptom is momentary there is no danger, but if it is accompanied by swelling, headache, accelerated weight gain; this could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, so it is necessary that you inform your OB as soon as possible.
- Fatigue. You are likely to feel quite fatigued, due to the extra weight you are carrying (especially if you are pregnant with twins at 34).
- The constipation. It’s another normal symptom at 34 weeks pregnant, which can make you feel even more uncomfortable. Remember to walk frequently, eat foods that contain a lot of fiber (cereals for example) and do not forget to drink a lot of water frequently.
- Hemorrhoids This is a real nuisance, especially when going to the bathroom, this symptom is connected with constipation, that is why by treating constipation properly, you will not end up as affected by hemorrhoids. In addition to the extra weight of your baby, which puts a lot of pressure on the rectum area. An excellent way to prevent them is: treat constipation and try to change your position (sitting or standing) to take some pressure off the affected area.
- Swollen ankles and feet. Try sitting up and resting your feet to decrease inflammation.
- Abdominal pressure . When your baby prepares for arrival and is placed on the bottom, you may feel a little pressure on the pelvis because the baby is wedged in and you probably have more frequent urination.
- Braxton Hicks or false contractions. At 34 weeks gestation, the cramping sensations are totally normal. You may have quite intense contractions during these weeks, but they are not regular and not rhythmic, they only soften the area of the cervix before dilation. You should keep in mind, however, that at 34 weeks pregnant, pelvic pain could be a sign of a problem. Regular contractions, vaginal bleeding, and lower back pain are all signs of preterm labor. If you present any of these symptoms (or all) at 34 weeks, call your treating doctor urgently.
Development of pregnancy at week 34
Your 34 weeks pregnant belly may look a little or a lot lower compared to the previous weeks. This is because your baby may have descended into the pelvic area. This can allow you to breathe easier, as your lungs have more room. You should know that this does not occur in all women, until the day they are born, so we are not guaranteeing that your baby will take pressure off your lungs. This descent, of course, puts even more pressure on your bladder, so be prepared for even more frequent trips to the ladies’ room.
By the 34th week of pregnancy, your belly should measure about 32 to 36 inches from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone. If they measure more or less inches, it could mean that your baby is larger or smaller than average, although it could also be that they are on their bottom or side and that there is an abnormal level of amniotic fluid. Anything out of the ordinary with the height of the fundus of your uterus (belly measurement) may have your Obstetrician perform an ultrasound 34 weeks pregnant, to find out the cause.
A significant fact: amniotic fluid is at an all-time high between 34 and 36 weeks, so it may feel like your belly isn’t too big after this stage. That’s because the fluid will decrease so your baby can continue to grow and have enough room to move. However, your baby is settling there, causing his movement to start to feel slightly different at this stage of your pregnancy.
Keep checking your baby’s movements. Set a timer and see how long it takes the baby to move ten times (it should be an hour or less). Then check each day to make sure the approximate time is pretty similar. Report any noticeable changes to your doctor.
If you are 34 weeks pregnant with twins, you are most likely feeling quite anxious. That could be a subtle psychological sign that your babies are arriving soon. For future twin moms, the countdown is official, as the average twin pregnancy lasts around 35 to 37 weeks. If there is no need for your babies to be born earlier, labor is likely to occur around 37 weeks gestation.
Ultrasound at week 34 of pregnancy
You will likely make a visit to the Obstetrician this week, as they will likely schedule appointments every two weeks. If ordered by your doctor, you could have a biophysical profile (BPP), which is a combination of a 34-week pregnancy ultrasound and a special non-stress test, which measures the baby’s heart rate over a period of time. Both tests help the doctor confirm that the baby reacts well to stress and thrives.
Enjoy the next week off because from week 36, you will have weekly appointments with your obstetrician. You will likely have a Group B strep test around 36 weeks. About 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women test positive for group B streptococcal bacteria, which can be harmful to the baby if passed on during childbirth. If your test is positive for group B strep, it is not a major problem you will only have to take some antibiotics during labor and after delivery. Perhaps you would like to choose a good book to read during the waiting room time.
Considerations regarding pregnancy at week 34Reminders for the week:
- Schedule your 36-week prenatal visit.
- Try a perineal massage.
- Because in the weeks before and when your baby is born you will be very exhausted; if possible, make the thank you notes.
