What to expect 34 weeks pregnant?
What to expect at 34 weeks pregnant. What happens during the 34th week of pregnancy?
34 weeks! What a milestone! You are roughly 6 weeks away from meeting your baby.
How big is baby at 34 weeks pregnant?
This week your baby is around the size of a pineapple and they are weighing about 1.9kg or 4lbs. Head to toe length is around 43.5cm.
How is baby developing in the 34th week?
Your baby’s finger nails have now grown to the end of their fingertips. Scratch mitts at the ready for when baby is born! You can read on this blog about your hospital bag – what to pack if you are needing some help! Nail clippers ready for when baby is a little older are also a great buy ready for baby.
What is happening with me at 34 weeks pregnant?
You are probably feeling quite achy now in pregnancy. As you approach your due date (you’re now smack-bang in the middle of the third trimester!) your Relaxin Hormone is going to be high. This is really beneficial for birth as it means that all the ligaments in your pelvis are softening ready to expand in birth. This is great! However, in pregnancy this hormone is not so fun. It can make you feel really achy as your ligaments are soft. You may be feeling pelvic girdle pain (formally known SPD). The same thing can happen in your ribs. Relaxin can soften the ligaments around them and can make you feel uncomfortable around your ribs. This can be amplified by a kick or elbow nudge from baby, depending on what position they are in.
There are some things you can do to help relieve pelvic girdle pain. The best thing to do is to try and keep your legs together. So when climbing the stairs, for example, take one step at a time, purring your legs and feet back together after each step as opposed to alternating your legs. When you are getting dressed you may find it easier to sit down rather than having to do movements like lifting your leg to get it into your jeans. When getting out a car, swivel around and swing both legs out together instead of stepping one week at a time.
There are some birth preps you can start doing this week!
The first is drinking raspberry leaf tea. Lots of women have reported that raspberry leaf tea has helped to start their labour. Research around this is iffy and purports that it may reduce the time in labour rather than inducing it (still a benefit though!). You can drink tea or take capsules. If you choose capsules, make sure you follow the recommendations on the back of pack in regards to how many to take. I wouldn’t advice drinking raspberry leaf tea if you have had previous cesearean (or uterine surgery), have had a quick labour in the past, or are having a planned cesarean section.
Another thing you can start doing is eating dates – around 6 a day. Dates are thought to help reduce the chances of needing a hormone drip in labour, reduce the likelihood of needing an induction, and reduce the length of labour. If you aren’t keen on dates you could always try something like popping them in a smoothie or baking up a sticky toffee pudding.
The final thing is perineal massage. Perineal massage is massaging the perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) a few times a week using an oil. It has been shown to reduce the chances of tearing in labour and reduce the severity of a tear in labour. Perineal massage appears to be beneficial for women who are having their first vaginal delivery. So whilst I say first-time mums, it is also beneficial if you had a previous cesearean and this will be your first vaginal delivery. You can read more on this blog on should I do perineal massage in pregnancy?
Will I see my midwife at 34 weeks pregnant?
If this is your first baby then you will be invited to see your midwife every 2 weeks now until your due date.
