Pregnancy Week by Week - A Week by Week Guide of Pregnancy

Week 34 - The Seemingly Delicate Child Is Growing Stronger

At 34 weeks pregnant, the baby is getting stronger to face the challenges of a new world. She is getting plump with fat deposits offering fullness to the body. The lungs are completely developed and are producing surfactant that coordinates the exchange of oxygen in lungs. The child is also developing antibodies to fight infection. About five pounds in weight, she can now open and shut her eyes. Multiple babies can no longer move due to shortage of space.

A Look At Mom's Health In Week 34

While the baby is getting stronger, moms are getting weaker due to the weight they carry. By now it is probably completely tiring to stand up even for few minutes. The routine visits to healthcare practitioners now include a careful check of the cervix. Any signs of effacement or dilation indicate the nearing labor. The baby must have dropped down by this time. There will be pressure on the vagina. This is a direct implication of the dropping down process. Breathing is thankfully easier as you are ready for load shedding. Technically when the baby drops, his head enters the birth canal. With these developments in place the final event of pregnancy is just round the corner.