Could my baby's movements be less noticeable at 34 weeks of pregnancy? Does the position of the baby at 34 weeks of pregnancy mean the same as the position of the fetus? How can women deal with the bothersome ailments of this period of pregnancy? Do babies born in the 34th week of pregnancy require an incubator? We invite you to read the post that will help answer these questions.
34 weeks pregnant: what month is it?
Doctors often abbreviate this week of pregnancy as 33.1-34 weeks. A woman in week 34 of pregnancy is in her 8th month, which is the middle of the third trimester. With labor getting closer every day, it's a good idea to make a checklist or even pack a hospital bag containing everything the expectant mother will need for herself and her newborn.
Cord blood banking
At 34 weeks, it's also worth considering cord blood banking. Cord blood is collected using a special kit, which is given to the hospital midwife in advance. The entire process is completely painless, occurring immediately after delivery.
Cord blood provides a safeguard for the baby (and in some cases, for their immediate family) should they develop one of the 80 diseases for which cord blood stem cells have been successfully used. Cord blood can be stored in family (private) or public banks. The decision to collect it must be made in advance, so the 34th week of pregnancy is a prime time to do so.
Ailments of the 34th week of pregnancy: how to deal with them?
In the middle of the third trimester, expectant mothers are acutely aware of the size of their belly, which often makes everyday activities difficult, such as tying shoes, lifting objects, or changing body position. Additionally, at 34 weeks of pregnancy, symptoms intensify, such as:
- heartburn;
- constipation;
- swelling of the legs;
- or back pain.
During the day, it is worth resting as much as possible (lying down, it is best to lie on your left side), eat smaller, healthy meals rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, and perform gentle stretching exercises, e.g. yoga for pregnant women. You can also go to a physiotherapist or osteopath who will professionally relieve your aching back.
At 34 weeks pregnant, your breasts become more sensitive, slightly swollen, and sometimes the first milk ( called colostrum ) begins to leak out, which shouldn't be a cause for concern. Your body is slowly preparing to feed your newborn. If milk leakage is bothersome, you can wear special nursing pads in your bra to protect your clothes from getting dirty. You can find them at most drugstores or pharmacies.
Could my baby's movements be less noticeable at 34 weeks of pregnancy?
During this time, the baby has less and less space in the mother's belly, which significantly limits its activity. Its individual temperament also becomes more apparent , so a pregnant woman's baby may move slightly more frequently compared to a friend's baby who is at the same stage of pregnancy.
At 34 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's movements may also be less noticeable to those touching the mother-to-be's abdomen if the placenta is located on the anterior wall of the uterus. Therefore, monitoring the baby's activity should always be performed by the pregnant woman herself, who is able to accurately describe her own sensations. Family members or the father-to-be can participate in this process, for example, by noting the baby's movements at the mother's request.
From 30 tc children are most active between 09:00 and 21:00, especially after their mother's main meals. To closely observe your baby's movements at 34 weeks gestation, lie on your left side after one of the main meals and record your baby's activities. After 10 moves have been counted, you can stop observing. It is good to do this measurement of the child's activity 3 times a day.
What is the child's weight at 34 weeks: norms, and the position of the fetus in the mother's belly
A baby typically weighs over 2000 grams at this stage and measures approximately 45 cm. Both a baby's weight at 34 weeks of pregnancy and its length are largely determined by genetics. If your friend or cousin had smaller, larger, or heavier babies at the same week of pregnancy, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. During regular visits to your gynecologist, they perform ultrasounds to check whether the fetus is developing normally. They also determine whether the baby's weight at 34 weeks of pregnancy meets the appropriate standards by comparing the measurements obtained during the ultrasound with the percentile charts for that specific week of pregnancy.
By this time, most babies are in the cephalic position, preparing for the upcoming birth. If you're wondering about the baby's position at 34 weeks of pregnancy , you're probably most interested in whether the breech or pelvic region is present. This refers to the baby's position in the uterus (the ratio of the fetus's long axis to the uterus' long axis). Baby position is another medical term that describes the position of the baby's body parts relative to each other, for example, the head is flexed or deflexed relative to the body. If the fetus is still in the breech position, know that this can still change, even up to 36-37 weeks.
Are contractions at 34 weeks of pregnancy a cause for concern?
During pregnancy, not every uterine contraction should automatically cause you anxiety. There are two basic types of contractions:
- predictive;
- childbirth (of which only the latter testify to the commencing / ongoing labor).
At 34 weeks of pregnancy, pre-menstrual contractions usually subside during rest and do not increase over time. While they are associated with some discomfort (hardening or pressure in the lower abdomen), they should not be a cause for concern for pregnant women. Pre-menstrual contractions are natural uterine activity, particularly characteristic of the third trimester.
Contractions and preterm labor
If, at 34 weeks' gestation, contractions are very painful, regular, and increasing, accompanied by bleeding, diarrhea, or water breaking, it's essential to seek medical attention, as these may indicate preterm labor, which begins at 34 weeks. This is very common in women with multiple pregnancies. Therefore, doctors managing such pregnancies usually inform expectant mothers around 30 weeks' gestation about the increased risk of premature labor. A premature baby born at 34 weeks' gestation has a great chance of survival, but may still require intensive medical care, including respiratory support.
What does a baby look like at 34 weeks of pregnancy?
By this time, the baby's appearance is almost identical to the newborns we associate with television movies or visits to family or friends. To see your little one, at 34 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound will be the only way to visualize the fetus. The eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are clearly visible, and if we're lucky, we'll even see the baby's smile on the ultrasound monitor . To achieve the most realistic image possible, you can opt for a 3D or 4D ultrasound (usually for an additional fee).
A baby born 34 weeks pregnant, just like the one born on term, does not have fused skull bones. All this so that the head could more efficiently cross the woman's birth canal. As a result, some newborns may have a slightly flattened head and nose at birth. The shape of the skull should even out by a few weeks after giving birth.
Examination at 34 weeks of pregnancy
During this period of pregnancy, you should visit your doctor approximately every two weeks. They will order routine tests, such as a urinalysis and a complete blood count. Don't be surprised if your gynecologist or midwife asks you questions about your mental health during this time. Between weeks 33 and 37 of pregnancy, a woman's risk of developing depression is assessed.
Additionally, in the middle of the third trimester, diagnostics such as:
- HIV testing;
- HBs antigen;
- VDRL study;
- HCV test (in women at increased risk);
- assessment of pelvic dimensions;
- examination of the mammary glands.
These tests may be ordered to the patient in the 34th week of pregnancy.
Consultation :
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
