34 Weeks Pregnant

Image of a woman and her baby at 34 weeks of pregnancy.
3 Dart, LLC for BabyCenter

How your baby's growing at 34 weeks of pregnancy

If you've been worried about going into labour early, you'll be happy to know that the vast majority of babies born during the 35th week are perfectly healthy. Your baby's lungs should be fully developed by now, and any breathing problems he may have at this stage can be treated.

See your baby in more detail and learn about his development at 34 weeks.

Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe melon (kharbooja)
Your baby now weighs about 2.1kg is roughly 45cm long from head to heel.

How your life's changing at 34 weeks of pregnancy

Indigestion may be making a come-back now your baby's pushing up against your tummy. Keep eating small meals and try not to lie down straight after a meal. A nap after lunch may sound like a good idea, but lying down too soon after eating can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning while trying to get comfortable.

Your growing bump will also put increased pressure on your back and might make getting up from a sitting or lying down position harder. See the simple stretches that can give you relief from late pregnancy aches and pains.

As you inch towards your due date, you may find yourself frantically cleaning out drawers and organising cupboards. A common sign that labour is around the corner is the start of the "nesting" instinct. Not all women get it so don’t worry if you haven’t felt it yet. But this instinct urges you to get your home ready for the arrival of a new baby. Use these helpful baby-proofing and shopping checklists to prepare.
Prenatal yoga
Prenatal yoga can help you stay fit and prepare for labour. See how to do the hip rotation pose.More pregnancy videos

What you can do at 34 weeks pregnant

The big day could be only a month away. You're bound to be dwelling on how your baby's birth will go. It's impossible to predict what anyone's labour will be like, but there are ways you can try to keep control of the experience.

While the norm is for labouring women to lie in bed, using different labour positions can actually help you cope with the pain of contractions. Some positions can reduce back pain if you’re having it, or shorten the duration of labour.

Practice these positions at home so you know them well. Then when you’re in labour, you can try them out to see which position helps you best. If the doctor prefers you to lie in bed, use pillows to sit as upright as possible. This will allow gravity to help your baby out.

Rhythmic breathing during labour helps your body maximise the oxygen to your baby. It also helps to relieve tension and conserve energy. It’s a good idea to practice these breathing techniques at home as well so that they’re easier to do when you’re having contractions.

If you’ve followed an antenatal class, you might have learnt these positions and how to breathe through labour. If not, you can go through our online free classes to help you prepare.

BabyCenter mum tip of the week

I sat on a chair and turned the hot water shower on whenever I had a contraction. That, along with walking, helped me bear the pain.

Your pregnancy diet at 34 weeks

As your appetite increases to match your baby's growth spurt, continue to eat well. A varied diet will give you the necessary nutrients from multiple sources.

Many women get food cravings. If what you're craving is healthy, you can happily indulge. But if you're craving coffee, ice-cream, chaat or junk food, it can be harder. There's no harm in giving in to your cravings from time to time, but moderation is key.

The belief that you crave what your body needs is a myth. It's true that some cravings can show a deficiency in nutrients, but in most cases, experts don't know exactly what causes cravings. What you crave has nothing to do with your baby's tastes or needs either.

Having deep fried, sugary or ghee-laden foods often can make you gain more weight than you need to. Gaining too much weight can cause complications for birth.

These foods can also make heartburn and acidity worse.

To get through unhealthy cravings, have healthy snacks that you like at hand. Carry some light snacks in your bag when you're on the go. This will prevent you from making unhealthy choices when you're out and about.

If you're stressed and turn to food for comfort, you might be better served by talking with a friend or taking a walk. Or perhaps all you need is a hug! Try these 10 great ways to beat stress.

FAQs at 34 weeks pregnant

Poll of the week

Did you 'nest' before giving birth?

प्रेग्नेंसी के 34वें हफ्ते की जानकारी हिंदी में

34 सप्ताह की गर्भावस्था में शिशु का विकास कैसे होता है, आपके शरीर में क्या बदलाव आते हैं और इस चरण पर आपको क्या जानना जरुरी है, यह सब हिंदी में पढ़ें।

Last reviewed March 2019

September 2021 Birth Club


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