34 weeks pregnant
34 weeks of pregnancy is the period when a woman can no longer worry about premature birth. Babies born at 34 weeks are considered premature but not premature. In this case, of course, it will be better if the woman departs the prescribed 9 months. Despite the fact that the child is already able to breathe outside the mother's belly, he is still very weak and not fully ready for independent life.
The 34th week of pregnancy is the last week in the eighth obstetric month, as each is exactly 4 weeks or 28 days. Pregnancy, according to such calculations, will last not 9, but 10 months.
Content:
- Fetal development
- Ultrasound
- What does a woman feel?
- Causes of pain at 34 weeks of gestation
- What should be the weight?
- What happens to the stomach?
- What can be the discharge?
- Sex
- Childbirth at 34 weeks gestation
- What should a pregnant woman pay attention to?
- Answers to questions about 34 weeks pregnant
Fetal development
The baby continues to develop rapidly and gain weight. This week his height can reach 45 cm, and his body weight is 2 kg. If a woman is expecting twins, then each child will be underweight.
At this time, the baby acquires its own, unique facial features. The original fluff gradually disappears, along with it the original lubricant disappears. The hair on the head continues to grow, and the more active this process, the thicker the hair of the crumbs will be at birth. The baby's skin becomes pinkish, folds are smoothed out, subcutaneous fat is accumulated. Its content is about 8% of the total body weight. The baby is getting prettier every day.
In the womb, a baby can suck a thumb for a long time. Thus, he improves the sucking reflex and prepares the facial muscles for the upcoming feeding process. During the sucking movements, the baby swallows amniotic fluid. They, passing through the body, prepare its digestive organs for the upcoming work. At the same time, kidney function is being improved. Every day, they return about 500 ml of clear urine to the amniotic fluid.
The baby at 34 weeks takes the position of the body in which he will be born. Normally, he should lie with his head down and his buttocks up. Sometimes the child lies down in a completely different way. At 34 weeks, you can still try to change the baby's posture. For this, doctors perform special manipulations, the need for which is decided on an individual basis.
The bones of the child's skull remain soft and mobile. This is possible due to the fontanelles, which will gradually close when the baby is born. Nature itself provides for such a structure of the skull of a newborn in order to ensure the easiest possible passage through the birth canal.
Other bones gradually harden, cartilage thickens, and nails continue to grow. All this requires a lot of calcium, which the fetus will take from the mother's body. Therefore, a woman needs to take care of a sufficient intake of all vitamins and minerals with food.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby's heart and blood vessels are developing very actively. His heart rate is currently twice as high as that of an adult. If a mother knows what position her child is in, with the help of a stethoscope, she can independently listen to the rhythm of his heart.
The fetal nervous system continues to improve. At this time, periods of sleep and wakefulness are established, which largely depends on the mother.
Inside the abdomen, the baby is able to distinguish between sounds and respond to light. In bright light, he closes his eyes.
At 34 weeks, the child already has an endocrine system that produces growth hormone. Also, the work of the thyroid and pancreas, the adrenal cortex is being honed.
Interestingly, the child can already distinguish taste, since the papillae on his tongue by 34 weeks are well formed.
Thanks to the developed hearing aid, the baby is already able to respond to sounds. Therefore, a woman needs to listen to pleasant music, sing lullabies to a child and read fairy tales aloud. It's good to just talk to your baby in an even and calm voice.
Ultrasound
If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, then the woman needs to undergo 3 planned ultrasound examinations. The third ultrasound is performed at 32-34 weeks, so it's time to go to the doctor's office and get a referral.
Sometimes ultrasound is performed at 34 weeks of gestation for certain indications. For example, you need to make sure that the fetus does not suffer from hypoxia, or you need to determine its exact position in the uterus.
In addition to the fact that ultrasound provides information about the condition of the child, this study allows you to assess the degree of maturity of the placenta, the volume and quality of water, the readiness of the cervix for the upcoming birth, eliminate the risk of entanglement of the baby with the umbilical cord. It is dangerous if the cervix is shortened to 25 mm or less during this period. In this case, the risk of premature birth increases. If a woman has an increased uterine tone in parallel, then she needs hospitalization. Therefore, you should not refuse to undergo an ultrasound examination. The doctor is responsible for decoding the ultrasound results. The data obtained should not be interpreted independently.
In addition to the fact that at 34 weeks of pregnancy, a woman undergoes an ultrasound scan, she will also need to donate blood and urine for a general analysis.
What does a woman feel?
Since the baby already weighs about 2 kg, it becomes more and more cramped in the mother's stomach. This leads to the fact that the woman feels every movement of the baby very well. At the same time, the movements are no longer as frequent as they were before, but their strength increases.
The child is very active in those moments when the mother goes to rest. Normally, the number of movements per day should be about 10. When a woman is at rest, the child can move up to 4 times per hour.
Be sure to monitor the nature of the movements. After all, they can be the first to suspect about possible trouble, for example, provided that there will be no perturbations for a long time. Sometimes the child will move more actively if something scares him, such as loud noises or bright lights. Therefore, whenever possible, such situations should be avoided. After all, sudden movements of the fetus will contribute to the fact that it can roll over and take the wrong position in the uterus.
As for the feelings of the woman herself, they can be dual. On the one hand, the expectant mother feels clumsy, because her belly is already big enough, and on the other hand, she enjoys the last weeks of pregnancy.
If we talk about possible discomfort, then women at this time often complain of heartburn, constipation, and shortness of breath. The thing is that the stomach presses on the stomach, and on the intestines, and on the diaphragm. Hence, all of the above inconveniences appear. However, there is little to be patient, very soon the stomach will drop, and the unpleasant symptoms will pass.
Many women at 34 weeks of pregnancy have dreams associated with childbirth. To even out your emotional background as much as possible, you need to attend various courses for pregnant women, read as much literature as possible about the natural process of childbirth. At the same time, you can start preparing the dwelling for the appearance of a small new settler in it. Prenatal chores is a very enjoyable activity that you can devote to almost all your free time.
Causes of pain at 34 weeks of gestation
Most women at this time experience pain in the lumbar region, back, abdomen. This is considered normal as they are caused by the increased pressure of the uterus on the nerve endings. In addition, the center of gravity shifts, because the woman's weight has increased significantly, which leads to an increase in the load on the entire body as a whole, and on the musculoskeletal system in particular.
Pain in the abdomen and in the lumbar region is a consequence of the softening of the ligaments and joints. This happens under the influence of hormones on them, which prepare the body for childbirth. Moreover, aching and pulling pains can occur in the pelvic and sacrum, in the pubic area.
It should be noted that the pain should not be too intense. If they increase, then they can be a signal of the onset of premature birth. Therefore, if at 34 weeks there are strong and prolonged pains that were not there before, it is necessary to seek medical help. Early onset of labor may be indicated by abdominal prolapse, discharge of mucous plugs, outpouring of water, and regular contractions.
Contractions can be not only real, but also training. Doctors often call them "Braxtons" or Braxton-Higgs contractions. They can be painful, but such contractions of the uterus always remain irregular. Contractions begin from the upper part of the uterus, gradually go down and disappear. If the training fights pass on their own, then the real ones will intensify.
Pains can also occur in the legs, because the load on them has increased significantly. For this period, a woman is forbidden to wear high heels, its height of 1-2 cm is considered the most optimal. The more comfortable the shoes, the less load on the lower limbs. To relieve pain and relieve stress on your legs, you can ask your husband for a massage.
What should be the weight?
Compared to the initial weight (before the moment of conception), a woman by this time can gain about 11-12 kg. Starting at 34 weeks, weight gain often slows down. At the same time, it must be monitored especially carefully. With a significant deviation from the norm, it is necessary to follow a rational diet, which should be based on reducing the consumption of foods rich in easily digestible fats and carbohydrates.
Sometimes weight gain is due to edema. Normally, the arms and legs, as well as the face, feet and ankles, may swell slightly. If the edema persists for a day or more, and also appears in the abdominal wall and in the lower leg area, then it is imperative to inform the doctor about this. It is possible that a pregnant woman develops dropsy.
What happens to the stomach?
The belly is already big enough by this time. It rises on average 33 cm above the bosom. Therefore, a woman needs to choose appropriate clothing.
Since the center of gravity is shifting, the expectant mother needs to be extremely careful, even in such familiar moments as getting out of bed.
To prevent the appearance of stretch marks, you need to properly care for your abdominal skin. To do this, it is regularly lubricated with nourishing creams.
As for abdominal prolapse, this happens at a later date (about 2-3 weeks before the onset of labor), and sometimes just before childbirth. However, if the belly has dropped now, you should not panic, but it is still better to see the doctor.
What can be the discharge?
Normally, the volume of discharge at 34 weeks of gestation should be moderate. Their color is light milky. Sometimes a slight sour smell may come from the discharge. If there is a small amount of mucus in them, then this is also the norm. It indicates gradual softening and opening of the cervix.
Cheesy discharge speaks of the addition of a fungal infection. Discharge with pus, yellow or green, is unhealthy. Be sure to consult a doctor if flakes or foam are found in them, as well as if they provoke itching and burning. It is important to get rid of the genital infection before the onset of labor so as not to infect the baby.
Discharge with blood is also a deviation from the norm. When they appear, you need to call an ambulance, as they often indicate placental abruption. This is dangerous by the development of fetal hypoxia. If a woman is regularly observed by a doctor, then by this time such a pathology of pregnancy as placental abruption is always excluded. And if the need for doctor visits is ignored, then the appearance of blood may well indicate this formidable violation.
Liquid, transparent, yellowish discharge may appear due to the outflow of amniotic fluid. They can leave in abundant masses or in small portions. In either case, you need to call a medical team.
Sex
As for intimate life, it is allowed, provided that there are no medical restrictions. In this case, sex should be done as carefully as possible so as not to disturb the child. To do this, it is necessary to abandon sudden movements and avoid poses that involve pressure on the stomach.
If a woman has any doubts about the possibility of sexual intercourse, then it is imperative to consult a doctor. If you experience pain or other unusual sensations during intimacy, you must immediately stop it.
If a woman does not have a permanent sexual partner, then she must understand that now the child is especially susceptible to various infections. Therefore, any sexual contact must be protected.
Childbirth at 34 weeks gestation
At 34 weeks of gestation, labor should not normally begin, but sometimes this happens. It is worth noting that the statistics in this regard are very encouraging: mortality among children born at 34 weeks of gestation is exactly the same as among full-term babies. Moreover, a 34-week-old baby is not considered premature; he is recognized only as born prematurely.
Factors such as too violent sex, Rh-conflict, infectious diseases, a woman's age under 18 or over 40 years old can provoke premature birth.
The child will be able to breathe independently, which is very important. However, you should tune in to the fact that you will have to spend a little more time in the neonatal center. There, doctors will provide proper care for the child. After being discharged from the hospital, the baby will not be any different from all other children.
Other dangers that can await a woman at 34 weeks of gestation:
- Low water. The normal amniotic fluid index is 72-278 mm. If this indicator is below the maximum permissible limit, then the woman is diagnosed with oligohydramnios. It can be expressed and moderate.
- Polyhydramnios. Excessive amniotic fluid is no less dangerous than oligohydramnios and requires hospitalization.
- Umbilical cord entwining the child's neck. This can be detected during the third planned ultrasound scan.
The risk of complications increases if the pregnant woman has chronic diseases of the endocrine system, or has previously had miscarriages or premature birth.
What should a pregnant woman pay attention to?
- A woman should avoid stress. This needs to be understood not only by her, but also by her relatives.
- It is necessary to carefully monitor the movements of the fetus. There should be about 10 of them per day.
- You need to eat right. The common phrase "you need to eat for two" is only valid in relation to the quality of food, and not in relation to its calorie content. This will prevent you from gaining excess weight and make labor easier.
- Be sure to check yourself for edema. If, when pressing with fingers on the lower leg, a woman has a fossa, then there is swelling. You need to see a doctor if they appear abruptly and persist for a long time.
- A woman at this time should not experience heavy physical exertion. Even housekeeping must be handled with care. This will prevent injury. However, it is also impossible to completely limit physical activity. It is useful to do special exercises for pregnant women, which will keep the muscles in good shape.
- It's great if you have the opportunity to take daily walks in the fresh air.
- It is helpful to study a variety of information about how labor is going on and how to properly handle a newborn.
Answers to questions about 34 weeks pregnant
- I am expecting twins and am 34 weeks pregnant. My belly is so big now that I can hardly walk. Is this normal? Expectant mothers carrying twins always have a larger belly, compared to those women who are pregnant with one child. Although each baby does not weigh that much, their total body weight is quite impressive. Therefore, despite the big belly, you need to continue to move as much as possible. We are not talking about heavy physical exertion, but physical inactivity is unacceptable. You need to walk, do light exercises. This is the only way to keep the muscles in good shape.
- Periodic abdominal pain occurs at 34 weeks. What could it be? Mild abdominal pains that occur from time to time are Braxton-Higgs training contractions. Thus, the uterus prepares for the upcoming birth, which is more completely normal. If there are any doubts, then you need to dispel them in the doctor's office.
- My child often hiccups, which I clearly feel. I heard that hiccups are a sign of a lack of oxygen. Is it true or not? If the child hiccups for several minutes, then this is quite normal. A baby, whose age is 34 weeks, can swallow amniotic fluid, and in large enough volumes. This will irritate the vagus nerve and cause hiccups. Hypoxia is indicated by completely different signs, for example, the absence of movements.
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The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
