Very soon you will see your baby, but for now, the main task at 34 weeks is to prepare well for this.
Just recently you thought that maternity leave was long and everything would be done, but a third of it has already passed, and there is so much to do. Therefore, don’t stay at home – implement your ideas and solve your problems.
When leaving home, even for a walk, always take with you the necessary documents, including an exchange card - childbirth can begin at any time.
Fetal development
The baby's lungs are almost completely ready for independent breathing; even in the event of premature birth, he will be able to breathe on his own.
The skin becomes smooth, vellus hair on the body remains only in certain places (shoulders, shoulder blades). The original lubricant also does not cover the entire body; it remains only in the natural folds.
This is what your baby looks like at 34 weeks
The nails on the fingers have grown to the edge of the nail plate, the hair on the head is quite long.
On an ultrasound, boys' testicles are clearly visible.
Internal organs function quite actively. For example, the adrenal glands produce 10 times more hormones than in adults. After childbirth, their activity will decrease.
Bones and ligaments are strengthened, the baby is less active, but the movements are much stronger.
The expectant mother will certainly notice changes in the baby's behavior; his activity directly depends on what is happening around him, i.e. he learns to perceive events and evaluate them. His organs and systems are ready for birth, it’s just that the baby has not yet learned to live on his own; it’s more comfortable and safe in his mother’s tummy.
Premature birth
Agree, the pregnancy period is no longer short. The possibility of premature birth cannot be ruled out. A child who can easily exist without the help of the mother’s body will be born in three weeks. In this case, the baby is considered fully term.
For one reason or another, your baby may be born this week, and even in this case, doctors will not call him “premature,” but “born premature.” A baby born at this stage has every chance to survive and fully develop. However, in the first weeks of life, the baby will require special treatment.
Ultrasound at 34 weeks of pregnancy
As a rule, the expectant mother should have undergone a third planned ultrasound by the 34th week of pregnancy, so at this stage it is prescribed rather as an auxiliary method for assessing the condition of the fetus, its heartbeat, and motor activity. The placenta is also measured, the degree of its maturity and blood flow in the mother-placenta-fetus system are studied.
The specialist measures the amount of amniotic fluid and assesses its transparency.
Discharge from the genital tract
This week we continue to monitor the amount and nature of vaginal discharge. They should be moderate, have a milky color and a slightly sour smell.
Do not be alarmed by mucous discharge that suddenly appears by this time. The mucus released used to cover your uterus. If the consistency of the discharge changes to curdled, and its color to brown, greenish or yellow, you must contact a gynecologist, since in this case there may be infectious diseases in the body. Infectious diseases at this stage must be treated, otherwise your baby is at risk of infection.
At this stage, light vaginal bleeding is acceptable: your uterus is dilating. However, if such discharge becomes profuse, consult a doctor.
Watery discharge at this stage of pregnancy may indicate the possibility of premature birth or a defect in the membranes. In both cases, urgent medical attention is required.
What happens in your body at 34 weeks?
The uterus envelops the baby more and more tightly, his movements are constrained, becoming more rare, but strong, which the mother will certainly notice.
Edema in the lower extremities appears for various reasons. Firstly, relaxation of the muscular wall of blood vessels under the influence of hormones, and secondly, the kidneys may not have time to remove fluid, especially if the mother abuses salty foods.
A highly elevated uterus interferes with normal breathing, and the expectant mother often prefers to sit on a bench in the park rather than walk along the paths.
A full stomach and constant heartburn discourage the desire to eat. It seems that if you don’t eat, it will be easier and more convenient.
Changes in the body
The placenta retains its functions - to protect and nourish the fetus. She has entered the second stage of maturity. The aging process usually begins closer to the 39th week of pregnancy. Early aging of the placenta is a pathology, as the child’s nutrition deteriorates. Poor removal of metabolic products is also a danger.
By this time, the baby usually takes a head-down position, the uterus descends, and its cervix becomes shorter. The volume of amniotic fluid decreases slightly. This makes breathing easier, but increases pressure on the bladder, leading to an increased need to urinate.
The softening of the ligaments and the spreading of the bones in the pelvis led to increased pain in the lower back. This is also facilitated by a shift in the center of gravity due to a large belly. Swelling of the legs is observed at this stage in almost all women. You should try to keep it within limits by raising your legs more often and not drinking excessive amounts of liquid.
Photos of bellies at 34 weeks
Risks at 34 weeks
The bigger your baby gets, the harder it is for your cervix to hold him. By this time, the neck shortens and becomes juicy. To help her cope, the pregnant woman should continue to wear the bandage and avoid lifting weights. If you already have children, do not pick them up, communicate with him while sitting.
Now it is better to avoid long journeys and especially plane flights. Vibrations and pressure changes can stimulate the development of labor.
There is still a risk of developing an infection. It is better to avoid crowded places and treat any symptoms of a cold in a timely manner.
Causes
The appearance of cramps after the 34th week of pregnancy may be completely within normal limits, or it may be a sign of pathology. If you feel something is wrong, it's best to contact your doctor or register for your birth at a hospital to be on the safe side. Preparing for childbirth in advance will ease some of your worries.
Cramps are common in the third trimester, but are within normal limits if they are mild. Sometimes you may notice tension or hardening of the uterus. These are “training contractions” that “warm up” a pregnant woman’s body before a big event. Most of the time, mild cramping means that the body is simply preparing for labor and is nothing to worry about. But if, in addition to cramping, you have bleeding, or back pain, or your water has broken, and you are between 34 and 37 weeks pregnant, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Here is a list of reasons for cramping and pain during a 34-week pregnancy:
| Possible reasons | Explanation |
| Sprain | During and after the second trimester, you may experience mild cramping on either side of your abdomen. It's like you've pulled a muscle. Over time this goes away. It’s just that the muscles that support the uterus stretch as the child grows, and in the third trimester this happens more intensely. When walking or turning in bed, you may feel a sharp spasm. Sometimes it lasts for a while but goes away. If the pain does not go away, you should call your doctor. |
| Early contractions (practice contractions vs. real contractions) | During the second half of pregnancy, at times a woman's belly will harden and then relax. These are so-called training contractions, also known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. This sometimes happens and can be accompanied by cramps. As labor approaches, these contractions become stronger and occur more frequently. They usually go away with walking and movement. Real labor pains, on the contrary, only become more intense when moving and walking. If you feel the approach of labor, you should not hesitate. When the breaks between contractions become shorter and the contractions themselves become stronger, you should call your doctor. |
| Dehydration | Dehydration increases the concentration of the hormone oxyotocin in the blood, which can cause involuntary contractions and spasms of the uterine muscles. |
| Placental abruption | Sometimes the placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus. This is very serious and requires immediate medical attention. If you experience contractions that are accompanied by severe pain and bleeding, go to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance. |
| Preeclampsia | If a pregnant woman experiences high blood pressure and protein in her urine during the second and third trimester, the condition is defined as preeclampsia. In this case, cramps and abdominal pain may also occur. If accompanied by severe headache, swelling, or blurred vision, contact your doctor or emergency room immediately. Increased blood pressure in a pregnant woman poses a threat to the life of the mother and child. |
When should you worry?
As already mentioned, the occurrence of cramps during pregnancy after the 34th week is normal if they are mild and not accompanied by severe pain. However, you should contact your doctor or the nearest emergency room immediately if:
- abdominal pain became 2 times stronger;
- bleeding or even spotting began;
- the temperature has risen;
- dizziness or weakness appeared;
- spasms occurred before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Important at 34 weeks
Don’t skip visits to the gynecologist; now they should be once every 10 days.
Prepare the baby's room and make major major purchases. You can buy a bottle or pants with your baby, but buying a crib or bathtub will be more difficult. And they will be useful to you immediately upon arrival from the maternity hospital.
Don’t forget to give yourself breaks, even when doing household chores - sit or lie down with your feet up, take a foot bath.
Listen to your baby - he will tell you when you need to rest or lie down.
Listen to pleasant music, watch good films, read books aloud to your baby - this will help him begin his prenatal education.
Don’t forget to attend courses for pregnant women, you can do it together with your husband, this will help you prepare and learn to breathe. You will be able to learn techniques to relieve labor pain.
