Pregnancy Week 34

How big is your baby? Your baby will be weighing in at around 4.73 pounds (2.146kg) and measuring 17.72inches (45cm). How big are you? Your uterus now sits about 5.51 inches (14cm) above your bellybutton and about 13.38inches (34cm) above your pubic symphysis. You must remember that these measurements are purely a guideline as each pregnancyis different. Do not get concerned if you are smaller or bigger than other pregnantladies, your healthcare provider will be monitoring your growth and weight gainwith each visit. What is important is that your uterus grows larger at an appropriate rate, whichwill lead to signs that your baby’s growth and development is normal. How is your baby developing and growing Your baby is already starting to develop his/her immune system to help him/her fightagainst any infections.

The fingernails will be nearing the end of the fingers, and may even need to betrimmed within the first couple of days after birth. Your baby’s eyes will appear blue now, although they may change after the baby isa couple of weeks old. Your amniotic fluid will reach it’s maximum capacity this week, which will meanthat your baby will be resting on the walls of the uterus rather than floating inthe amniotic fluid. This also means that you will really start to feel every movementthat your baby may make. As there is less and less room, your stomach skin will be being stretched to themaximum. this means that your stomach may become itchy. This is often worse duringthe summer months,and the best way to treat this is to stay well hydrated and apply moisturizing lotionoften. When will your baby drop? A few weeks before labor begins, you may notice a change in your abdomen, and ifyou measured the distance from the top of the uterus to the bellybutton or pubicsymhysis, you may notice that the distance is now less. This is known as lightening,and occurs when the baby’s head enters the birth canal. You don’t need to become concerned when this happens, as it happens at differenttimes with different pregnancies, sometimes weeks before signs of labor begin, and other times just before labor. With lightening you may experience a mixture of benefits and problems, such as:

• Benefit: more room in your stomach, making you feel less squashed, ability to breatheeasier.
• Problem: More pressure on your bladder, anus and pelvic area.

Other signs which you may experience at any time now is loosing your mucous plug. This is usually described as looking like mucous from yournose when you have a cold, and may have a brown, red or pink tinge. Visit our Media Center for pictures of your growing baby Tell Us About Your Baby Remember that you can tell us about your baby and you can receive a week by weekupdate as to how your baby is growing and developing post pregnancy. This includesinformation and articles on:

• Baby development & milestones
• Nutritional requirements & feeding
• Sleeping patterns
• Caring for and teaching your baby
• And so much more

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