Starting from the 34th week of pregnancy, the body begins to especially actively prepare for the birth of a baby. Hormones are released into the blood, which contribute to the elasticity of certain joints and ligaments. This is necessary to facilitate the passage of the child through the birth canal. The uterus, which has greatly increased by the 34th week, significantly presses on the bladder, so that the future mother will urinate more often, minor urinary incontinence may occur. We will talk further in more detail about what happens at 34 weeks of gestation.
What happens in the body
What happens to mom at 34 weeks of gestation? The woman’s body is rounded, because the baby is gaining weight, he develops organs and systems. Some cardinal changes are no longer expected, it remains only to fully mature the child’s body and gain fat. Endorphins and enkephalins produced in the fetal body penetrate the mother’s blood, therefore the woman’s mood improves. Minor troubles, which previously could bring a susceptible expectant mother to tears, now do not worry. In women at this period, even with an increase in blood pressure, health is normal. That is why it is necessary to periodically measure blood pressure and monitor the results of analyzes.
Baby at 34 weeks pregnant
The child’s body length is already 44 cm, and the weight is approximately 2200 grams. What happens to the baby at 34 weeks of gestation? He becomes cramped in the uterus, so the woman feels all the movements of the fetus more acutely. The tint of the baby's skin begins to approach the usual, the vessels are less visible on it. This is due to the fact that the fat layer becomes thicker. The fluff that was previously covered by the fetal body gradually disappears, and the layer of natural lubricant thickens. At 34 weeks of gestation, the baby has hairs. But if they are not there, this is not scary, which means they will appear a little later.
What happens to the baby at 34 weeks of gestation? For a while, the child will gain weight and develop in the mother’s stomach. He acquires individual appearance, his cheeks are rounded, he increasingly begins to suck a finger. Thus, the baby prepares for the upcoming sucking mother's breast. The digestive tract of the baby is also trained, because the child from time to time swallows amniotic fluid. The kidneys begin to work. Now the child secretes about 0.5 l of clear urine into the amniotic fluid.
The fetus at 34 weeks of gestation usually already takes the position from which it will soon be born. It is good if the child decides to head down. The bones of the fetal skull at this time are mobile, soft and flexible, which will facilitate the passage through the birth canal of the mother. These fontanelles will overgrow with the development of the child, and the skull will assume its usual shape. Already at 34 weeks of gestation, the development of the fetus allows it to be less dependent on the mother's body. It produces hormones of the pancreas, growth, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, enzymes and so on. The baby forms its own metabolism.
The child at 34 weeks of gestation lives in the rhythm of mother's activity. When a woman moves less, is relaxed, has a rest or sleeps, the fetus moves more intensively. If the mother is active, then the child begins to tumble in his stomach, push. This prepares him for the upcoming regime, the change of sleep and wakefulness in an independent life. The baby at 34 weeks of gestation distinguishes between light and darkness. To the fetal movements at 34 weeks you need to listen. So the baby lets his mother know about his mood, joy and discontent, “shows” the character. Shocks are a reaction to something. Loud sounds, too bright light or stresses should be avoided, because as a result of exposure, the child may roll over into a position that is not suitable for childbirth.
Mom's feelings at week 34
What happens at 34 weeks of gestation? The expectant mother often feels heaviness and pain, which in most cases is considered as normal. Discomfort can occur in the stomach, back, and lower back. The pain can be explained by a growing tummy, an enlarging uterus, as a result of which the center of gravity shifts. Discomfort can be felt in the sacrum and hips, as the mother’s body in the process of preparing for childbirth produces special hormones that soften the supporting ligaments and joints.
But pain of any intensity can also indicate a risk of premature birth. If the discomfort at the 34th week of pregnancy does not go away for some time, you still need to see a doctor. Possible births are also indicated by a noticeable prolapse of the abdomen, cork discharge, involuntary emptying, frequent uterine contractions and the outflow of water. The uterus, by the way, can contract and just for "training", in which case we can talk about the contractions of Brexton-Higgs.
Training fights are irregular, there are no equal gaps between them, as if they were normal fights. Training starts in the upper part of the uterus, advancing to its lower part, is not too painful in most cases. If the abdomen falls at the 34th week of pregnancy, then you need to carefully monitor your condition - premature birth is possible. An urgent need to see a doctor if this is accompanied by other signs of the onset of labor (cork, discharge of water).
The expectant mother may have slight swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face. Some women suffer greatly from this, many cannot even fasten their boots because of puffiness. It is necessary to see a doctor if the swelling does not go away during the day, appear on the legs and in the abdominal wall. In order to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, the expectant mother should eat properly, monitor the weight gain, which should slow down a little by this time.
Weight at 34 weeks of gestation may be 11-12 kg more than the initial one. In recent months, control over the increase should be especially careful. If the doctor records an excess of the norm in kilograms, he will advise the woman a special diet. The main rule is to reduce the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates and fats in the menu. Overweight gained during pregnancy will not only lengthen the recovery period after childbirth, but can also cause difficulties in delivery.
The abdomen at 34 weeks of gestation is clearly visible. It rises by about 32-34 centimeters. Ordinary clothes no longer suit the expectant mother, her movements acquire smoothness, femininity and accuracy. Especially carefully, a woman gets out of bed, from a position on her side. To avoid stretch marks, you need to lubricate the stomach with special means. You may experience a feeling of heaviness and discomfort associated with the pressure of the uterus on the bladder, lowering the abdomen to prepare for childbirth.
The nature of the discharge in a woman
Pregnancy development at week 34 is active, the body is already beginning to prepare for the birth process. It is also important for the expectant mother to control the discharge, which should be normally milky, with a slightly sour smell, moderate. The appearance of a certain amount of mucus in the vaginal discharge is acceptable. The reason for this is the softening of the cervix, its opening.
If the color of the discharge has changed, the cause may be an inflammatory process. In this case, you should definitely contact your gynecologist. At 34 weeks of gestation, most drugs with a local effect are allowed, so the gynecologist will select the optimal treatment regimen. Some women are afraid to undergo therapy, believing that the infection will do less harm than treatment. However, only a doctor can adequately determine the degree of risk. Infection of the child is extremely rare, but, passing through the birth canal, it can become infected.
Immediately you need to go to the hospital at a gestational age of 34 weeks if spotting has appeared. This may threaten the baby. Bloody discharge appears when placental abruption or the threat of premature birth. True, this often happens due to a harmless injury to the genital mucosa, but it is better to immediately consult a gynecologist for advice and not risk it.
Abundant discharge without color and odor can indicate a violation of the integrity of the bubble. In this case, you should immediately go to the hospital. If there is not a lot of discharge, but the woman doubts, you can pre-purchase a special test in the pharmacy to determine amniotic fluid. You need to go to the hospital even if pieces of dense mucus appear in the discharge. These may be pieces of cork. If this is true, then labor can begin soon.
Tests and examinations
Usually the third planned ultrasound is already behind, but some pregnant women go through it at this time. The doctor will take measurements, establish the approximate weight of the child and pay attention to the correspondence of fetal development to 34 weeks of pregnancy. Dopplerography, OAM is also often prescribed. If protein is found in urine tests, doctors will closely monitor the condition of the pregnant woman. It's time (if, of course, partnership delivery is planned) and the future dad should undergo examinations in order to be in time for everything on time. It is necessary to take a blood test, do fluorography.
Factors that affect the fetus
At 34 weeks of gestation and beyond, the baby can be adversely affected by drugs that contain codeine. This chemical is the residue of the conversion of opium to morphine. It has an antitussive effect, with an overdose it causes euphoria. If a mother uses codeine medication during pregnancy, a child in adolescence and adulthood will be more likely to be addicted to drugs. In addition, alcohol, nicotine and drugs should be avoided at all weeks. Contact with various harmful substances should also be avoided.
Possible complications
The danger is a lack of vitamin D in the mother's body and excessive weight gain. In the first case, a child may develop rickets after birth. There is a danger for mother too. Vitamin deficiency threatens to develop varicose veins and exacerbate hemorrhoids. In the case of weight gain, the expectant mother after childbirth may face obesity and even metabolic syndrome, which threatens the development of diabetes mellitus.
Very dangerous is gestosis, which can go into eclampsia. Modern doctors do not know the reasons for the development of such a condition, so there are no quite effective treatment methods and preventive measures yet. If a woman has high blood pressure, special therapy is performed. In the event that this condition threatens the life of the child or mother, doctors can decide on an early delivery. This is one of the causes of mortality among young mothers, even now in developed countries.
Recommendations and Tips
At the 34th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother may begin to collect bags at the hospital. They should contain everything that a mother and a child may need, documents and money. Close ones need to show where the bags are, what is in them. Products that deteriorate and things used every day do not need to be put in yet. But it’s better to write down everything you need on a piece of paper and stick it on your bag so that you don’t forget anything before delivery.
You need to continue to eat right and try not to overeat. Servings should be small, and the optimal number of meals per day - 5-7 times. The use of those dishes that carry only empty calories should be minimized. This, for example, sweets. It is desirable to exclude very fatty and salty foods, fried foods and too spicy, spicy. It is worth limiting the use of foods that can cause an allergic reaction. These include peanuts, citrus fruits and dark chocolate. It is necessary to minimize the use of any exotic fruits or new dishes.
As for intimate life, earlier doctors believed that sex at 34 weeks of pregnancy and later could provoke a premature birth. Now there is no such ban, so if the expectant mother expresses a desire, feels good, and the gynecologist does not forbid sex, then you can make love. The main thing is to avoid pressure on the stomach, not to get very tired, to monitor the hygiene of the genitals.
Birth at 34 weeks
The optimal moment for the birth of the baby has not yet arrived, but childbirth can occur at the 34th week of gestation due to certain factors. The survival of the crumbs is almost one hundred percent. Moreover, babies born at 34 weeks are already considered not preterm, but born prematurely. For a while, however, the child will be kept in a special center under the supervision of doctors to make sure that everything is fine. After discharge, the newborn will develop in the same way as other children, if he was born healthy and full.
With multiple pregnancy, childbirth often occurs at 34 weeks. Kids are already viable enough, but still they may need to stay in the ditches to gain the necessary mass and get a little stronger. Children already know how to breathe on their own, all systems, organs work for them, so there is a huge chance for full development.
Finally
So, the 34th week is already the finish line of bearing the child. At this time, the future mother has the last chance to enjoy her position, because very soon the baby will be born. From a pregnant woman, she will turn into a young mother who needs so much to be done. The main thing is to remain calm and positive. Then everything will be fine!