If you have successfully reached 34 weeks pregnant you will be carrying a baby that is about 18 inches long and weighs a little less than five pounds. Your baby will have fat deposits under her skin and the skin will become smoother. The baby’s nervous system and lung’s are preparing rapidly for the imminent birth, but they still need more time in the womb to mature properly. If your child is born prematurely at this stage of gestation, she can survive with few problems. She may experience a bit of trouble breathing and maintaining temperature of her body. A lot of times a physician may ask the mother to undergo an ultrasound procedure to determine the weight of the baby. These are accurate to within one pound of weight.
Your baby will have developed and resembles very closely her newborn characteristics. She can suck her thumb and fingers and she will open her eyes when she is awake. She hears sounds and shows a noticeable preference for mom’s voice. The baby will turn head down in preparation of delivery. She has fingernails and the male baby will have testicles beginning their descent from the abdomen. The Children’s Hospital states that a baby born at this age gestation will have a good chance of survival. Let’s look at how the mother’s body is changing.
This is the third trimester of pregnancy. The weight gain and the weight of the growing baby can cause periods of fatigue. Frequency of urination is experienced as the bladder is compressed by the growing baby. The mother’s feet and ankles may begin to swell and sleeping may be difficult. Some mother’s will experience problems with vision during pregnancy. Eyes may become dry, but these conditions resolve when the baby is delivered. Adequate vitamin intake is a must, especially calcium. The baby leeches its calcium needs from the mother. If intake is inadequate the mother will suffer skeletal problems and dental issues.
Even though babies will generally have few problems surviving if born at 34 weeks gestation, the mother should seek her obstetrician’s advice if experiencing any preterm labor. A baby born at 34 weeks has a 99% survival rate, but if labor can be delayed or stopped the baby will have an even greater start in life. The last few weeks are critical to the functioning of the baby’s liver and lungs. The longer the baby can remain in the womb between 34 and 39 weeks gestation, the greater the chance the baby is born with mature lungs. As you have read above, 34 weeks pregnant is a milestone for your baby and yourself and marks a point in the gestation period that the baby is viable.
