Pregnant: What happens in week 34 of pregnancy

Your baby's development in the 34th week of pregnancy

Own body temperature: For several weeks the fetus's layer of fat has continued to develop. In week 34 he can regulate his own body temperature independently of the mother. It is usually about one degree higher than yours, which keeps your baby cozy and warm in the womb.

Hearing becomes more refined: Your child has been listening since about 23rd week of pregnancy, to what is happening around it. In recent weeks it has increasingly responded to familiar sounds more and has answered with kicks or little punches. In week 34 it also begins to, distinguish between different pitches. Now is the best time for singing or short stories. Familiar sounds make it easier for your baby to calm down after birth.

The first scratches: The fingernails and toenails of your child have already grown so long in week 34 of pregnancy that they extend over the edge of the fingertips. This causes the fetus to occasionally scratch itself now. But don't panic: the nails are still so soft that the small injuries are only superficial and heal quickly. Even after birth it takes a while for the nails to harden.

Ready for the start: Lung maturation and the development of the digestive system are largely complete in week 34 and your baby already has all the important enzymes to digest its food. If your child were to be born this week, it could for the most part start life without special medical support.

Increased calcium needs: Until birth the bones of the fetus will become increasingly harder. For this he now needs a lot of calcium, which he receives from the mother's blood.

Less space: Your baby's room to move in week 34 of pregnancy is significantly less than it was 1 to 2 months ago. Perhaps your child is already with its head towards the pelvis and only turns from left to right. Because the amniotic fluid is displaced by growth, your baby now often already touches the walls of the uterus and the little arms, the head or the bottom are clearly visible on your belly.

What is visible on the ultrasound image?

In week 34 of pregnancy your little miracle is about about 45 cm long – which is approximately the size of a red cabbage. Your child now weighs a full 2,200 grams. As a result your abdominal circumference is also continuing to grow. In addition, the rapid growth and increasing weight are noticeable on the ultrasound image. Now your baby increasingly like a fully formed newborn from. Depending on its position in your belly, it shows you its face and its acrobatics in full display. Perhaps it even sucks its little fingers. One thing is certain, though: it won't be long until your child presents itself to you with all of that outside the placenta in the real world.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 34 of pregnancy?

In week 34 of pregnancy your belly has now developed into a real round shape. Many pregnant women can no longer see their feet and complain about some pregnancy complaints, which are now more due to the heavy weight of the baby and uterus and less to the rapid hormonal changes like in early pregnancy. Which physical changes most expectant mothers experience in week 34 of pregnancy, you can learn about here.

Linea nigra: You may have noticed the darkening line a few weeks ago. In many expectant mothers the line from the navel to the pubic bone darkens by now at the latest in week 34 of pregnancy. The cause of the line is the pregnancy hormones that change skin pigmentation and, for example, also darken the nipples. How pronounced the line is, however varies from woman to woman. After hormone levels normalize, the pigmentation fades on its own.

Changes to the navel: Some women now also notice changes to their navel. It becomes flatter and protrudes outward. If your navel hurts, this is due to the strong tension of your skin caused by the growth of your belly.

Pelvic floor weakness and mild pain: The pelvic bones prepare for childbirth in week 34 and become more relaxed. Therefore you may now feel pain more often when walking. Additionally, your child now lies deeper in the pelvis and presses on the nerves. This may manifest for you as a slight numbness in your pubic area. Relaxing baths or light massages help alleviate this feeling. If the pain is worse and radiates clearly into your legs and back, it's best to discuss it with your doctor. Your midwife can also give helpful tips to strengthen your pelvic floor that relieve the pain.

Reduced appetite: As your baby grows, the uterus also expands further into the abdominal cavity. In week 34 the upper edge has reached its highest position. It now presses against the ribs and leaves less and less room for the stomach. That curbs the appetite and you will probably only be able to eat small portions. It is especially important to eat a calcium-rich diet so that your baby's skeleton can continue to harden.

Sleep problems: With the growing belly circumference, the nights become increasingly tiring for many expectant mothers. You have probably for some time not been able to sleep in your usual position and only sleeping on your side works for you. A nursing pillow usually helps to find a more comfortable sleeping position and to relieve both the belly and back.

Week 34 of pregnancy: entitlement to parental leave

In the coming weeks you will have a legal entitlement to maternity protection. If you want to take parental leave afterwards, you should by now at the latest talk to your employer, about how you want to arrange your parental leave and specify the plan for the next 2 years in your application. You must submit the application with a deadline of 7 weeks in writing to your employer.

During parental leave you are protected from dismissal. When planning you should of course also consider your financial possibilities and inform yourselves how much parental allowance you are entitled to. If both parents are employees, your partner is also entitled to parental leave and you can consider together how to plan it.

For the 35th week of pregnancy