In this article you will be able to read about everything related to being pregnant in week 34. You'll find information about the baby's development, how the mother's body is changing and tips you might need along the way.

Baby: Now there is more fetus than fluid in the womb

Now the baby is about 46 cm long and weighs about 2.3 kg! 

Developments in week 34
The fetus' nails are growing and have now become so long that the fetus can even tear itself inside the belly. You don't have to worry about it hurting, but after birth it may be a good idea to file down or gently tear off the nails so that the baby doesn't tear itself.

By this week, many fetuses have turned head down and are likely to remain in this position until delivery. The fetus may turn so that its back alternates between lying to the right, left, against the pregnant woman's back or stomach. However, it is common for the fetus to have a favorite side to look at! As a pregnant woman, you will notice this by feeling your feet in the same direction in your belly. If the fetus is still lying with its bottom down, there is still time for it to turn around, so you don't need to worry.

Amniotic fluid
At week 34, there is about one liter of amniotic fluid in the uterus, which means that there is now more fetus than amniotic fluid in there. The amniotic fluid makes it easier for the fetus to move around, while also preventing the uterus from pressing directly against the fetus' body.

The child's immune system
The immune system is much more developed now than in the past, but as newborns have to build up their own defenses against viruses and bacteria, they still need to be protected against possible infections in the first period after birth. Be prepared not to meet friends' children who go to preschool and have a cold - classic preschool viruses can be RS and newborns should be protected from them. In general, it is good to maintain good hand hygiene and avoid meeting friends and acquaintances who have a cold. 

Mom: Pregnant in week 34

Week 34 now! Are you getting impatient? 

Now, some babies may be lying obliquely, crosswise or with their bottom down in their tummy. Most commonly, however, the baby has found its position with its head in the pelvic inlet and you will probably feel kicks or pressure from the baby's bottom against your ribs. You may also feel increased pressure or heaviness in your abdomen as the fetus pushes itself further down, or the sensation of it squeezing your groin and thighs. This simply means that the fetus is setting itself in a good position with its head! Therefore, it is a perfectly normal sensation, even if it is not very pleasant. However, it is a good sign that the baby is preparing for birth, right?

High blood pressure
Pregnant women may develop high or elevated blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy, which may require medication with antihypertensive drugs. More frequent checks are then made by the midwife to measure blood pressure and measure any protein in the urine. More ultrasounds may also be needed to measure fetal growth and flow in the umbilical cord. The high blood pressure can affect the kidneys, causing them to function poorly, and you may suffer from pre-eclampsia. Apart from the kidneys and the circulatory system, the liver and the coagulation system can also be affected if you develop pre-eclampsia.  

Seasickness poisoning
During almost every visit to the midwife, your blood pressure is measured. If your blood pressure is high, this may be supplemented by a urine protein test to find out if you may have pre-eclampsia. 

Preeclampsia occurs at the earliest after the 20th week of pregnancy, but the most common time for pregnant women to be affected is in week 34 or later. Some women have no symptoms, while others may experience headaches, nausea, epigastric pain (pain in the mouth of the stomach or in the middle of the stomach, just below the ribs) or problems with vision, such as blurred vision or eye flicker. Swelling of the face, hands and/or feet is also common. 

Approximately 3-7 % of all pregnant women get pre-eclampsia. There is a possible heredity when it comes to pre-eclampsia, so it may be a good idea to talk to your mother or a possible sister if they have had pre-eclampsia during their pregnancies. In addition, the risk is higher if you have pre-pregnancy high blood pressure, type 1 or 2 diabetes, have had an egg donation or are expecting twins. However, this does not mean that you have to get pre-eclampsia! This also applies if you have had pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy. 

If the doctor at the midwife's office considers that there is a high risk of pre-eclampsia, treatment may be necessary for prevention. This includes extra checks by the midwife, more ultrasounds with weight assessment of the baby and umbilical cord blood flow measurement. 

There is a more severe form of pre-eclampsia which causes the pregnant woman to have cramps. In addition, pre-eclampsia can progress to a condition called HELLP, which means that the liver, kidneys, blood and coagulation system are also affected. The few who suffer from this will be hospitalized and closely monitored during pregnancy. This also applies if severe pre-eclampsia is diagnosed. The "cure" is to give birth and you will then plan whether to induce labor or have a cesarean section based on various parameters measured on the pregnant woman and the condition of the fetus. 

You can read about week 33 here.

You can read about week 35 here.