34 Weeks Pregnant

The majority of your pregnancy is behind you and the last few weeks are ahead of you at your 34th week of pregnancy.
    

MOM

At your checkups, the doctor or midwife will check on the growth of your baby and ask if your baby is
moving or kicking regularly. You will notice that your uterus is about 5 1/2 inches above your navel. Each pregnancy is unique and you will have similarities and differences from other pregnant women. For you, if you have had more than one pregnancy, each of your own pregnancies will be unique. Be open to what is “normal”.

Before ultrasounds, people would guess at the gender of the baby based on the position the mom carried the baby. No matter what gender baby you are carrying, the discomfort will increase and you will become increasingly ready to meet your new son or daughter.

No matter your size or the baby’s size, the baby will very likely fit through the birth canal to enter the world. The stretching of ligaments and other changes in your body will allow your body to accommodate your baby’s birth. Slowly after pregnancy, things return close to your pre-pregnancy state.

If this is the week your baby drops, you will notice it becomes much easier to breath but also notice  increased pressure and discomfort in the vaginal area.

It is important that you rest as much as you can with your feet elevated, especially if you have swelling in
your feet or ankles. From now on you should avoid lying flat on your back because in this position the
weight of the baby and the uterus place pressure on major blood vessels and may cause you to feel faint.

BABY

Your baby has grown to about 5 pounds and just under 20 inches long. Your baby will spend the last few weeks filling out. Your health care professional may estimate your baby’s weight by combining information from measurements, but may be 1-2 pounds off. There is increased accuracy when information from an ultra sound is used to estimate birth weight. Even large babies can be birthed naturally from petite women. The soft spot on your baby’s head allows for it to fit through the birth canal. After the birth, the soft spot will slowly close.

Your baby can now tell the difference between dark and light and their skin is becoming smoother and less wrinkled.

LIFE

This is a good time to look into common procedures that aren’t necessary, like episiotomies, circumcision, and other interventions that may be for the convenience of the birthing team and not in the best interest of you and your baby. Women gave birth to many healthy babies long before hospitals! Sadly, the US still has high infant mortality rates. All procedures, no matter how common and routinely done, carry some risks. When you need procedures done, they can be life saving. Procedures done electively can create unnecessary risks. Make informed decisions.

You should be finishing up having the basics for when the baby is born. You will find fatigue and discomfort increasing. It will force you to be rested for delivery, but may also interfere with being able to get the last things done to be ready for your baby’s birth and homecoming.

35 Weeks Pregnant

33 Weeks Pregnant

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