There are now fewer than two months until the birth. Your baby has already gone through the most important developmental stages; now it’s all about fine-tuning and steadily gaining weight. For you, this week is a time for final preparations and a bit of relaxation.
How big is your baby in the 34th week of pregnancy?
Your baby is about 30 centimeters long from crown to rump this week, roughly comparable to a pineapple. The crown-to-heel length is approximately 44 centimeters.
34th week of pregnancy: What's changing for you
Although it’s hard to imagine, your belly is still growing. This week, your bump is approaching its peak, meaning the upper edge of your uterus is now almost reaching your sternum and pressing against your organs. This can cause digestive discomfort or even nausea. Therefore, be sure to eat several small meals throughout the day to avoid overloading your stomach. You can find more tips in the article “ “. The good news: as your baby sinks further into your pelvis in preparation for birth over the next few weeks, the pressure will decrease and provide noticeable relief.
Additionally, the ligaments around your pubic bone and pelvis are loosening more and more, leading to an expansion of the pubic symphysis and potentially causing symphysis pain when you move. Combined with the downward pressure from your baby, this can also result in back pain or even tingling or numbness in your legs. Relief can come from a warm bath or some . If the discomfort becomes overwhelming, ask your midwife or doctor for advice.
Maternity Protection
The end of the 34th week of pregnancy marks the beginning of maternity protection for all employees, which ends eight weeks after birth. During this protection period, you are released from work and receive maternity pay. If you explicitly wish to do so, you may work in the six weeks before the birth—however, once your baby is born, an explicit employment ban applies. More information about maternity protection and your rights as a pregnant woman and new mother can also be found in our article "".
You have probably been busy over the past few weeks preparing your handover and wrapping up important projects. But for now, it’s: hello maternity leave and full focus on your new role as a mom! Use this time to make final preparations for the arrival of your little explorer, enjoy your baby bump to the fullest, and do things that bring you joy and make you feel good. Sleep in again, go to the movies, relax with yoga, or enjoy a leisurely breakfast: now is the time for that.
34th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby
Your baby’s range of motion has shrunk quite a bit in recent weeks; there is now barely enough space for more than a few stretching exercises and turns. Your child is now lying directly against the inner wall of your uterus, so you can feel kicks with feet, knees, or elbows clearly—and sometimes painfully. Their sucking and swallowing reflexes are largely developed by the 34th week of pregnancy. This means that your baby could already drink independently if they were born now. Additionally, the fine details of your child’s brain and lungs continue to develop, and lung maturity is almost complete this week. Their paranasal sinuses are also developing—another important step on the way to independent breathing after birth.
Your baby’s skeleton is getting harder week by week, so their calcium needs are currently particularly high. Since your baby gets this trace element through your blood, their calcium level is actually higher than yours at the moment! Therefore, pay special attention to a calcium-rich diet in the coming weeks.
Your baby’s nails have grown over the past few weeks and are now as long as their fingertips. If you want to trim their nails some time after birth, you won’t need scissors at first: your newborn’s nails are so soft that you can carefully peel them off if they become too long.
This is now important
Pay attention to an extra portion of calcium in your daily diet. Particularly calcium-rich options include dairy products, green vegetables like spinach or broccoli, and calcium-fortified mineral water.
Have you already completed your second recommended dental check-up during pregnancy? If not, now is the right time! During pregnancy, special precautions are advised regarding dental health, as teeth and gums are more susceptible than usual. A professional dental cleaning is also highly recommended now.
Relax, enjoy, and do all those things that will have to be put on hold with a baby—that’s the motto for the start of your maternity leave! Feel free to put this "to-do" right at the top of your list. ;)
Tip from LILLYDOO Midwife Sissi
As the due date approaches, you are probably thinking more and more about how exactly you envision it. Be sure to talk with your partner about how they can support you, too. A trusted person by your side can give you a tremendous amount of strength and confidence during birth. It’s also important that they know your wishes for the birth and, if in doubt, can communicate them to the medical staff if it’s difficult for you to do so yourself. But your partner benefits, too, when they have a specific task. Whether it’s massaging you during contractions, playing your favorite music, handing you water, or simply being there for you—having a clear role can give them the reassuring feeling that they’re supporting you in this special situation.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, which also in exchange with our
