34 Weeks Pregnant: Week-by-Week Guide

• What trimester is 34 weeks? Third trimester
• How many weeks of pregnancy are left? Six
• How many months is 34 weeks pregnant? You're in your eighth month.

With week 33 of your pregnancy complete, you’re on week 34. Enjoy it, as week 35 is on the horizon! 

One of the most exciting things about pregnancy is how many changes you’ll experience with your little one over the span of just 7 days! Here’s some tips and tricks to keep on top of all that’s happening.

What Happens During the 34th Week of Pregnancy?

• Growing up fast: Your baby’s reproductive system is maturing. If you’re carrying a boy, his testicles are now traveling down from his abdomen to their final position in the scrotum. Only about 4% of boys have undescended testicles at birth. In half of those babies, the testicles descend within the first six months after birth.
• Baby’s got nails: At 34 weeks pregnant, your little one’s fingernails continue to grow and are almost at the end of their fingers. They may even be born with a scratch on their face or leg from those long nails.
• Skincare 101: The fuzzy lanugo that was covering your baby during previous weeks is almost completely gone by now. However, the vernix coating (a waxy barrier protecting the skin) is getting thicker, which is good since it’s preventing scraping and chafing.

What Should I Be Feeling at 34 Weeks Pregnant?

• You’ll be feeling and seeing your belly move! With less amniotic fluid—and less room—in your uterus, you’ll likely begin to see some of your baby’s body parts pushing out past the curve of your belly. Can you guess what that bump might be?
• Many women experience swelling in their ankles, feet, and hands, especially during the last months of pregnancy. A few simple tips to reduce puffiness can comfort you—and let you know when swelling could be a symptom to bring to your doctor’s attention.

How Big Is Your Baby at 34 Weeks Pregnant?

Week 34 Pregnancy Symptoms

During week 34 of pregnancy, your body is changing quickly. As your baby grows, you will too, and there are certain pregnancy symptoms you may experience at this time.

5 Common Week 34 Pregnancy Symptoms

1. Your vision may be blurry. The likely culprits? Hormones, insomnia, and fluid buildup. Contact your doctor if visual difficulties are coupled with a headache, swelling, or rapid weight gain, as those could be signs of preeclampsia.
2. Your baby’s putting on the pelvic pressure as they move into the lower abdomen before their grand entrance. You’ll also feel the need to pee frequently. But there’s good news—this new location may help you breathe easier as your little one is farther away from your rib cage and lungs.
3. Stretch marks and itchy skin are pretty typical during pregnancy, but severe itching could be a sign of obstetric cholestasis (OC), a liver disorder. Also, itchiness accompanied by a rash on and around your stretch marks can indicate pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP).  While not dangerous, PUPPP can be uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you suspect OC or PUPPP.
4. Your extra weight and shifted center of gravity can make you feel clumsy and puts you more at risk for falls and strains. Even though you’ve got a lot going on preparing for your bundle of joy, try to slow down a little, wear comfy shoes, and avoid heavy lifting.
5. As you approach your due date, Braxton Hicks contractions can increase in frequency. They’re harmless, but keep an eye out for actual contractions, which are more intense and come about every 10 minutes or more. If you suspect that you’re experiencing the real deal, contact your doctor since you could be going into preterm labor.

The Baby’s Position at 34 Weeks

Your baby is, or soon will be, positioned head-down, bottom-up. They’re sitting lower in your abdomen, so while you may be breathing easier due to less pressure near your diaphragm and lungs, you’ll probably feel some powerful kicks by your ribs. 

Mom's Tip for Week 34

Your baby’s outgrowing their living space. By the time you're 34 weeks pregnant, they’re running out of room and will take anything they can get, which sometimes means they’ll snuggle under your rib cage with their feet extended out. If your little one’s positioning makes you uncomfortable, try switching your body position, doing some pelvic tilts, or lightly massaging the achy area to encourage your baby into a less bothersome pose.

Your Baby’s Brain Is Developing

Your nervous system needs sleep to function—and so does your baby’s. It’s a good thing that they are settling into a better sleep schedule these days, as their brain continues to make new and complex connections. What’s helping matters even more? They are able to get some shut-eye, literally, by closing the eyelids when snoozing and opening them when awake.

Learn more about your pregnancy, including pregnancy planning and pregnancy nutrition to feel prepared to continue this magical adventure. You’re armed with the facts, what to do, and now you can take time to connect with the little one growing inside you.

 With week 33 in the rearview mirror and week 34 going strong, look to the future and what's coming up in week 35!