Third trimester · 34 weeks pregnant
Week 34: nearly ready
The central nervous system and lungs mature further.
Babies born from now usually do well with little help. The vernix coating thickens, fingernails reach the fingertips and your baby recognises songs and voices. Appointments cover feeding and birth plans.
Size and weight
About the size of
a cantaloupe melon
Length
45 cm
Weight
2.1 kg
Averages from standard growth charts. Measured crown to rump until week 20 and head to heel afterwards.
How your baby is developing
- The central nervous system and lungs continue to mature.
- The vernix coating thickens to protect the skin.
- The baby recognises familiar songs and voices.
- In boys, the testes are usually descending into the scrotum.
How you may feel
- Occasional blurred vision from fluid changes (report it if persistent)
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Pelvic pain
- Leaking colostrum
Perineal massage from 34 weeks may lower the chance of tearing in a first vaginal birth. Your midwife can show you how.
What's next
Tests and appointments
- 34–36 week visit: blood pressure, urine, position of the baby and a conversation about feeding and birth.
- Group B strep swab is taken at 35–37 weeks under the national protocol, and the infection tests (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis) are repeated before 36 weeks.
What to do this week
- Finish packing the hospital bag, including snacks and a phone charger.
- Wash and sort baby clothes by size.
- Learn how to time contractions and the signs that it is time to go in.
Call your doctor or maternity hospital if
- Your baby is moving less than usual, or the pattern has changed
- Vaginal bleeding, or your waters break, especially if the fluid is green or brown
- A severe headache, vision changes, pain under the right ribs, or sudden swelling of your face and hands
- Regular painful tightenings before 37 weeks, or severe itching of your palms and soles
If something feels wrong, trust yourself and call 103 or your maternity hospital. You will never be wasting anyone's time.
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