34 weeks of gestation: how big is the baby?
With 34 weeks of gestation, the baby will be almost in the middle of the 8th month , with, on average, between 4 and 6 weeks before birth. At this stage, the baby is almost all developed and its approximate size is that of a large cabbage plant.
Baby development
At 34 weeks of pregnancy, some of the baby’s organs (such as the lung) are undergoing maturation and will only function after delivery.
Eye color is not yet defined. The iris will be completely pigmented a few weeks after birth. Therefore, it is common for babies’ eyes to vary in the first months of life.
At this stage, the baby may already have nails and hair, which tend to grow more and more. Some need to cut their nails while still in the maternity ward, right after giving birth, to avoid getting hurt.
The bones are already formed and strong, but the skull is not yet fully formed and there is a reason. Having a softer head will help the baby to go out through the vaginal canal during normal birth.
The nervous, circulatory and immune systems are fully developed. If the baby is born prematurely at 34 weeks, he has a good chance of surviving, even though he needs devices in the first weeks.
As there are a few weeks left before the birth, the woman must be aware of the symptoms of childbirth, which are: dilation of the vagal canal, contractions less than 10 minutes apart and rupture of the water bag.
These signs are good indications as to whether labor has started. If there is severe pain accompanied by fever and vaginal bleeding, a medical service should be sought urgently.
What is the ideal weight for a 34-week-old baby?
The baby at 34 weeks of gestation should weigh, on average, between 2kG and 2.5kG. In this same phase, it must be measuring, on average, 39 cm and almost all organs and systems are formed. The baby and mom are getting ready for childbirth.
Now, the baby is already big and does not have much space to move inside the belly. Even so, the mother should feel some movements at intervals of up to 12 hours.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy?
Each stage of pregnancy has specific symptoms. Check out the most common manifestations during the 34th week:
Swelling
In this final stage, many women may become swollen, as the body tends to retain more fluid during pregnancy.
Another cause for swelling is the growth of the uterus which prevents blood from circulating properly in the lower limbs. Therefore, feet and legs may be the most affected by gestational swelling.
Raising the legs, at the knee, to help blood circulation and avoid foods that are high in sodium are tips to alleviate the swelling.
Back pain
Back pain is one of the most common symptoms during pregnancy. These discomforts are caused by an enlarged belly that changes the axis of body balance.
In addition, the hormones produced and released during this phase contribute to back pain
The pregnant woman may also find it difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep at night.
To alleviate these discomforts, it is recommended to avoid carrying weight and always take care of the posture when sitting or lying down. Giving compresses and light massages on painful places can also improve the discomfort.
Read more: Can pregnant women take dipyrone? Does it harm the baby?
Cramps
At 34 weeks, it is normal for a woman to experience cramping, especially after walking. This is because the baby is already attached to be born.
That is, with the head turned to the vaginal canal, the baby ends up pressing this region, which causes pain and discomfort.
Some pain in the uterus can also be caused by contractions of training, which aim to prepare the pregnant woman for the moment of delivery.
These contractions are fast (less than 1 minute) and can be accompanied by the feeling of “hard belly”.
However, if the colic is very severe and accompanied by bleeding or fever, the pregnant woman must be taken to a hospital urgently.
Sore breasts
The woman’s body is not only preparing for delivery, but to keep the baby alive after birth, that is, the production of breast milk has already started.
Thus, it is normal to notice a small increase in the breasts, which can also be painful and cause discomfort for the mother.
At 34 weeks of gestation, it is normal for nervousness and anxiety to be present. Mom should try to relax and distract herself to contain the expectation of the baby’s waiting.
Food rich in fruits and vegetables, rest and intake of 2L of water per day are recommendations for better health during pregnancy.
