Week 34 of Pregnancy
Third trimester
For informational purposes only. This page is not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different — always consult your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. In an emergency, call your provider or 911 immediately.
Baby is
about the size of a cantaloupe
17.75 inches · 4.75 lbs
Baby this week
- •Pupil responses to light are now coordinated
- •Toenails are fully formed and extending to fingertip
- •Skin is becoming smoother as fat deposits increase
- •Immune system is developing antibodies from your blood
- •Practicing breathing movements with amniotic fluid
You this week
- •Increased Braxton-Hicks contractions (more frequent)
- •Lower back pain and pelvic pressure
- •Swelling in feet and ankles
- •Shortness of breath as uterus presses upward
- •Sleep difficulties from positioning and frequent bathroom trips
- •Possible hemorrhoids or varicose veins
- •Increased urinary frequency and occasional leaking
This week's tips
- •Practice different labor positions with your partner (side-lying, squatting, hands-and-knees)
- •Start a birth plan document if you haven't already—discuss with your healthcare provider
- •Elevate legs when resting to help with swelling; compression socks can help too
- •Install an infant car seat and have someone show you proper installation
- •Do pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) 3-4 times daily to prepare for birth recovery
- •Attend childbirth classes if you haven't completed them yet
Informational only — always check with your doctor or midwife for advice specific to you and your baby.
Looking ahead
You're in the home stretch! Over the next 6 weeks, your baby will continue gaining weight (about half a pound per week) and moving lower into the pelvis. You might feel a shift in your center of gravity as engagement progresses.
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For informational purposes only. This page is not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different — always consult your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. In an emergency, call your provider or 911 immediately.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and baby is different. Always consult your doctor, midwife, or pediatrician for guidance specific to your situation.
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