You’ve reached 34 weeks! You’re nearly halfway through your eighth month of pregnancy with only about 6 more weeks of pregnancy left. You may experience Braxton Hicks contractions more often, and you may also feel more pressure on your bladder as your baby continues to drop into your pelvis.
Feeling bored? Tired of being pregnant? Carrying a baby isn’t easy, and it’s completely normal to feel “over it,” especially as your due date approaches. However, if you’re feeling symptoms of hopelessness or worthlessness, you may be suffering from pregnancy depression.
Nearly 7% of pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy. There’s no shame in reaching out for help, so talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re concerned about your mental health during pregnancy.
If you’re looking for ways to help your body prepare for labor and delivery, you might want to try a perineal massage. Your perineum is the area of tissue between the opening of the vagina and the anus. Perineal massage involves using one or two fingers to conduct a gentle, manual stretching of those tissues that help shape the birth canal. Regular perineal massage may increase your chance of not tearing during vaginal delivery.
Talk to your doctor or midwife to make sure perineal massage is right for you and your pregnancy. With their go-ahead, you can perform the perineal massage on yourself or ask someone for help. To eliminate friction, you can use natural oils such as olive oil or personal lubricants. You’ll want to stay away from synthetic oils or lubricants like baby oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly. Again, always consult your care team for personalized advice.
Your baby at 34 weeks is the size of a head of romaine lettuce. Just when you thought your little one might run out of room in there, your uterus keeps on growing! At this point in your pregnancy, your uterus is about 5 inches above your navel.
34 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Vision Changes
You might not be seeing as well these days, and it’s not your imagination. Pregnancy hormones might make your vision change. Your vision may seem blurry, and a decrease in tear production may leave your eyes itchy and dry, especially if you wear contact lenses.
That’s not the only way pregnancy can affect your eyes. Fluid build-up may temporarily change your cornea (the part that helps your eye focus). During pregnancy, you may become more nearsighted or farsighted than usual.
Things with your eyes should clear up after delivery, so don’t feel like you have to rush to your eye doctor. But make sure your healthcare provider is aware of any vision changes you’re experiencing as certain serious vision problems such as flashing lights, auras, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and spots can be signs of preeclampsia.
Aches and Pains
Aches and pains are common during pregnancy, especially at 34 weeks.
Your hormones can cause increased pelvic girdle pain – pain felt around the pelvic joints, lower back, hips, and thighs. Pregnancy also causes round ligament pain (read more in Week 14).
Your uterus is growing to accommodate your baby, and the ligaments that connect your uterus to your abdominal wall are stretching, which may cause sharp pains or a longer-lasting dull ache in your lower belly or groin. We love our Soothing Maternity Belly & Back Support Band for pain relief in the second and third trimesters. This maternity support belt helps relieve belly and back pain caused by your growing bump by redistributing weight, stabilizing your pelvis, improving your posture, and reducing muscle strain.
Sciatica is another common pregnancy pain that happens when your uterus and baby press into your sciatic nerve and cause sharp, shooting pain that starts in your butt and travels down the back of your leg.
Your doctor or midwife should be able to help you find ways to relieve some aches and pains you experience during pregnancy.
Growing Breasts
Yes, you read that right. Your boobs are getting even bigger.
As your breasts grow, the stretching skin may become itchy, so don’t forget to moisturize. A supportive, well-fitting maternity bra can also help ease the aching chest you may be experiencing as a result of enlarged breasts. Check out our Insta Bra Fit Finder to help find the best nursing bra for your breast size.
Exhaustion and Fatigue
As you reach the end of your pregnancy you might feel waves of exhaustion (like those you may have felt in your first trimester). This is common given the physical toll pregnancy takes on your body and how hard it is to get comfortable at night with a 34 weeks pregnant belly.
While struggling to sleep is common in late pregnancy you should talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re having trouble getting enough sleep to perform daily life functions.
Swollen Ankles and Feet
You may experience swollen ankles, feet, and fingers – also known as edema – more often at this point in your pregnancy. As you get bigger (thanks to pregnancy weight gain and your growing uterus) your body tissues accumulate and retain fluids, which can lead to swelling.
Watch out for swelling that is sudden and severe, usually in your face or hands, which can be another sign of preeclampsia.
Baby on Board
At 34 weeks, your baby is around 17-18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds. As your baby grows, you may be able to spot body parts like little elbows and feet poking out of your belly.
Under Construction: Sleep Schedule
Your baby now closes their eyes when sleeping and opens them when awake. They’ve also established a sleep schedule with regular periods of sleeping and waking – even though they spend most of their time sleeping.
Under Construction: Fingernails
At 34 weeks, your baby’s nails have most likely reached the tips of their tiny fingers. Some newborns are born with really long fingernails, so you might want to have an infant nail clipper, baby nail scissors, or a baby nail file handy.
What to Wear This Week
We know it can be really hard to get a good night's rest these days. If you’re looking for a maternity nightgown that will keep you cool and comfy while also looking stylish, our Clea Bamboo Classic Long Sleeve Sleep Shirt is perfect for you. The temperature-regulating bamboo fabric makes this nursing nightgown super soft and breathable. Plus, it’s got pockets for carrying all of your essentials.
Comfort is key at this point in your pregnancy, which is why we created our Sublime® Adjustable Crossover Nursing Bra. This maternity lounge bra is available in standard and Busty sizing for ultimate comfort. You’ll reach for this crossover nursing bra over and over again through the remainder of your pregnancy and beyond.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice that has been medically reviewed. Please reach out to your midwife or doctor with any questions.
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