Your Pregnancy: Week 34

Welcome to week 34 of your pregnancy!

Your baby is around 45cm long from head to heel, that's approximately the size of a cantaloupe melon! At this stage, their bones are continuing to harden, except for the skull bones. These remain soft and separated to facilitate the journey through the birth canal during delivery.

The flexibility of your baby's skull bones allows them to gently move and slide over each other, ensuring that their head can be born safely while still protecting their delicate brain - an incredible design that nature has perfected!

Now, let's talk about pre-eclampsia, a condition that can develop during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks. It's essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms, as pre-eclampsia can be serious. Your midwife will regularly check your blood pressure and urine for early signs of pre-eclampsia during your appointments. Keep an eye out for other symptoms, such as a severe headache, swelling, and vision problems, and don't hesitate to call your maternity unit if you experience any of these warning signs.

As always, it's essential to stay attuned to your baby's movements during this time - their regular movement is a reassuring indicator of their wellbeing. If you notice any changes, such as a decrease in movements, call your maternity unit for guidance straight away.

The placenta is an incredible organ, and develops wherever the fertilised egg embeds in your uterus. If you have an anterior placenta (a placenta attached to the front wall of your uterus) you should still expect your baby to develop a pattern to their movements.

As you prepare for labour, it's helpful to know about the pain relief options available to you. Gas and air (Entonox) is one form of pain relief commonly offered during labour, including at home births. It can help take the edge off contractions. If you're curious about other pain relief options, including gas and air, be sure to explore your options and discuss them with your midwife.

So, as you navigate these final weeks of pregnancy, you're doing an incredible job!

⬅️ YOUR PREGNANCY: WEEK 35

➡️ YOUR PREGNANCY: WEEK 33

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kicks.count/

Latest

Common Pregnancy Health Problems

From constipation to back pain, discover essential tips for managing nine common pregnancy problems.
Tell your story
Baby movement questions
Shop enquiries

Your Pregnancy: Week 42

42 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 41

41 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 40

40 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 39

39 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 38

38 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 37

37 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 36

36 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 35

35 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 33

33 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.
Your Pregnancy: Week 32

32 weeks pregnant? See how your baby is developing, and how your body is changing, through our week-by-week guide.

Anterior Placenta: Your Questions Answered

What is the placenta? What does it mean to have an anterior placenta? The placenta is an incredible organ, belonging to both you and your baby. Learn more about your baby's lifeline and what an anterior placenta means for baby movement.
Your Baby's Movements

Feeling your baby move is a sign they are well. Here's all you need to know about why you should monitor your baby's movements - and how.
Kicks Count Wristbands

How can a Kicks Count Wristband help me? How do you use one? We answer your frequently asked questions.
Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter reveals tragic stillbirth

Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter has revealed her precious baby girl was stillborn on 21st December 2018.
FMH and reduced movements

My baby was born alive thanks to your campaign, I would have taken the advice about baby movements from my parents as gospel otherwise ... after all, they have 6 kids between them, they are the experts ... aren't they???
How many Kicks should I feel in 1 hour?

There is no set number of movements you need to feel in one hour, 2 hours or 24 hours. Get to know what is normal for your baby and report any change immediately.
What can I expect when I report reduced movement?

The care you receive when you report a change in movement will depend on your stage of pregnancy. Here you can find out what to expect.
Why Ditch the Doppler?

In 2017 Kicks Count launched a campaign to regulate or ban the sale of home dopplers to expectant parents in the UK. Here the CEO explains why.
Free Kick Counting App

The Kicks Count app is designed to help you get to know your baby’s regular pattern of movement, once you have recorded sessions the graphs section will show you your baby’s movements over the last 2, 7 and 14 days.
Gary Barlow discusses the heartbreaking stillbirth of his daughter Poppy

Gary Barlow has spoken out about the heartbreaking stillbirth of his daughter Poppy. The Take That singer, 47, described how she was stillborn at full term days before he had to perform at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.