Week 34
of pregnancy

If you’re 34 weeks pregnant, you’re almost at the finish line of your pregnancy. You may be feeling both excited and nervous about the big day. While you’re counting down the weeks until you meet your little one, there is still a lot happening in your body and with your baby. Continue reading for details on your baby’s development, symptoms you may be experiencing, and some things to consider at 34 weeks pregnant as you prepare for the arrival of your baby.

Highlights at 34 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some highlights and to-dos from your34th week of pregnancy:

• At 34 weeks, your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe!

• Have you started doing kick counts yet? It's a good idea to become familiar with your little one’s movements.

• If you notice some pressure in your pelvic area, this may be your baby dropping down in preparation for birth.

• Are you familiar with the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and real labor contractions? If not, take time to learn the signs and symptoms.

• Week 34 might be a good time to get serious about packing your hospital bag, preparing and freezing some meals, and speaking to your other children about the upcoming new arrival.

• Still deciding on baby names? Check out our Baby Name Generator for some extra inspiration when searching for that elusive perfect name:

34 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

• At 34 weeks pregnant, your baby is getting bigger, and there’s less room in your womb for those cartwheels! As a result, you may notice that their movements feel different—possibly a little less forceful now—but you’ll still sense their wiggles and stretches. To keep track of your baby’s movements at 34 weeks and throughout your third trimester, you can start counting kicks and see how long it takes for you to feel 10 movements. Around 34 weeks pregnant, it’s common to feel 10 little kicks, pokes, or jabs within 2 hours; if you don’t, your baby may be sleeping, and you can try again when they’re awake or seem to be very active.

• Around this time, your baby may also be dropping lower as they get ready to make their grand entrance. At 34 weeks pregnant or maybe in the weeks following, you may learn from your healthcare provider that your baby has moved into a head-down position in preparation for giving birth.

• Your baby is continuing to gain weight at 34 weeks and adding more fat under their skin.

• Wondering what color eyes your baby will have at birth? Eye color depends on the amount of the pigment melanin that's present. Babies born with little or no pigment will have blue eyes, but that color may change over the first year or two. If your little one has darker eyes at birth, the color is less likely to change. You can read more about when do baby’s eyes change color here.

• Speaking of giving birth, at 34 weeks, your due date is fast approaching, and you'll want to get a head start on those final preparations. Take this quiz to find out how close you are to being ready for your baby’s arrival.

• If you’re expecting a boy, his testicles are likely to have dropped into the scrotum by now. Sometimes, one or both of the testicles don’t descend before birth. If this is the case for your little one, the testicles are likely to drop by the time your baby is 6 months old.

How Many Months Is 34 Weeks Pregnant?

If you’re 34 weeks pregnant, what is that in months? It’s likely you’re in your eighth month of pregnancy this week, and in just a couple of weeks, you’ll enter your final month!

Baby's Size at 34 Weeks Pregnant

If you’re wondering how big your baby is at 34 weeks pregnant, we’ve got the answer! At 34 weeks, the average fetus is about the size of a cantaloupe. They may measure nearly 12 inches long, crown to rump, and weigh more than 4 1/2 pounds.

Your Baby: What Does 34 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Check out the illustration below for a rough idea of what your baby might look like and what position they may be in at 34 weeks.

Your Body at 34 Weeks Pregnant

At 34 weeks and in the coming weeks, watch out for any signs of preterm labor. Preterm labor is when labor starts before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Preterm labor and preterm birth are of concern because babies born too early may not be developed enough and are at high risk of having serious health problems.

Some of the signs of preterm labor include:

• mild abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

• increased vaginal discharge

• change in vaginal discharge—watery, bloody, or with more mucus

• constant dull backache in the lower back

• regular or frequent contractions

• your water breaking, which could be a large flow or just a slow stream.

If you’re 34 weeks pregnant with twins, it's especially important not to ignore these signs and symptoms of preterm labor. When you're expecting twins or multiples, you have about a 50 percent greater chance of going into early labor than if you're having just one baby. Don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns and learn more about your babies in our week-by-week guide to being pregnant with twins

34 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 34 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Braxton Hicks contractions. At 34 weeks and as you near your due date, Braxton Hicks contractions—also known as pre-labor or practice contractions—are more likely to get stronger and occur more often. It’s most likely nothing to worry about if these cramping sensations come at irregular intervals and subside when you change positions, but if you suspect that you’re having preterm labor contractions at 34 weeks pregnant, or in the weeks ahead, contact your healthcare provider right away. Your provider is the best person to assess your symptoms, but take the time to learn more about the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor contractions as it might help put your mind at ease.

• Enlarged breasts. Your breasts are probably becoming even fuller as you roll into the last few weeks of the third trimester. This could cause some discomfort as the skin stretches and becomes itchy. By this time, you’re no stranger to the bit of relief a good moisturizing lotion can provide, but don’t forget that a properly fitting bra can also help. Many specialty underwear shops and department stores have bra fitting specialists who can help you find a bra that fits correctly and gives you maximum support. You may also have to adjust the strap length or use a bra clasp extender as the weeks progress as well as in the first few months of motherhood. Learn even more about breast changes during pregnancy.

• Pelvic pain. At 34 weeks pregnant, if your baby has dropped lower into your pelvis in preparation for birth, you might experience some symptoms like pelvic pain, lower-back discomfort, or pressure on your bladder. On the bright side, because your baby has dropped, you may feel less pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, making it easier to breathe. To help relieve any pelvic pain at 34 weeks pregnant, try to stay off your feet when you feel most uncomfortable. A soak in a warm bath may also give you some relief. If these ideas don’t work, speak to your healthcare provider for further advice on what to do.

• Swollen ankles and feet. It’s not uncommon for women to have swelling in their ankles and feet at this stage of pregnancy. One way to help relieve the swelling is to reduce standing time as much as you can. Plus, when you’re sitting down, you can prop up your legs on a pillow. For those times when you’re feeling discomfort from the swelling and you can’t sit, wearing supportive shoes might help.

• Constipation. Bowel movements that are hard to pass and infrequent may occur for many different reasons. Whatever the cause, they can be very uncomfortable! If you have constipation during pregnancy, some good tactics include drinking plenty of water, prune juice, or other fruit juices, as well as eating high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, wholegrain bread, and bran cereal. Also, try walking or gentle exercises to help your digestive system. Finally, eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than a few large meals might improve your digestion.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 34 Weeks?

Although every bump is different, it’s likely your belly is pretty big at 34 weeks pregnant and may be causing you some discomfort, especially in your lower body. If your fundal height (the distance between your pubic bone and top of uterus) is measured this week, it may be around 13 to 14 inches (34 centimeters).

What Does 34 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For an insight into how your belly might look around 34 weeks pregnant, check out our visual below:

34 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

• The arrival of a new baby may be hard for older siblings to handle, given all of the changes and disruptions in their daily routine. Parents put a lot of effort into preparing for the new baby and, after the baby arrives, caring for the newborn requires much of the family’s attention. It’s not unusual for older siblings to feel some jealousy and react to the changes by acting out. However, parents can take steps to ease the transition and prepare siblings for the new addition to the family. Talking about the pregnancy in a way that makes sense to older siblings is a good strategy. And including kids in preparation tasks, such as shopping for baby items, can help them adjust to the idea of your newborn joining the family. Be sure to spend one-on-one quality time with your older children so they understand they’re still valued and loved members of the family.

• Calcium helps form and harden your baby’s bones and teeth, so getting enough calcium during pregnancy is a top priority, both for your baby's health and for your own. Your prenatal vitamins may contain calcium, but it’s also important to eat foods that are rich in calcium. Some great food sources other than dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt include sardines, leafy green vegetables like broccoli, and calcium-fortified juices. This means lactose-intolerant parents-to-be have great options for getting extra calcium, too! Learn more about how much calcium you need during pregnancy and ask your healthcare provider whether you’re getting enough. Your provider may recommend you take a calcium supplement or get more by making changes to your diet.

• The last thing you want to worry about when you go into labor is deciding what to throw into your bag to take to the hospital. That’s why we've compiled a comprehensive hospital bag packing checklist to make sure you don’t leave out those must-haves and nice-to-haves you might want to take with you on the big day. We list the things you, your partner, and your newborn baby will need.

• If you have time this week, consider stocking up your pantry and pre-cooking batches of food to freeze now and enjoy after your baby’s arrival. Getting these tasks done in advance saves time later when you’re busy tending to your newborn. You could also set up some online grocery deliveries now so that they’re ready to go or ask friends and family members to pitch in with delivering some home-cooked meals during those first few weeks postpartum.

• If you haven’t already, start thinking about what comfort measures you might like during labor, and ask your healthcare provider what options may be available to you. Your options could include medical pain relief like an epidural as well as non-medical pain relief like massage or focused breathing.

34 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Consider some of the following questions during your appointment with your healthcare provider at 34 weeks pregnant or in the coming weeks:

• What is my baby’s position at 34 weeks pregnant?

• If my baby is breech, what are the chances they’ll move into a head-down position?

• If my baby is breech closer to the due date, what would you recommend?

• What are some symptoms not to ignore at 34 weeks pregnant? And what should I do if I experience vaginal bleeding, nausea or sudden vomiting, severe headaches, fever, or severe abdominal pain at 34 weeks pregnant?

• What exercises or stretches can I do to help relieve the pressure on my lower back?

• Is there an infant CPR training course you recommend?

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}