Week 34 Of Your Pregnancy

Yay! Week 34! Yes, that’s a little squeal coming from the NBB team – you’ve got six weeks to go! You really are on the home straight, your baby could arrive at any time so make sure you’ve got your hospital bag packed and you have all you need for a few days in the hospital for you and your baby. Your baby is the size of a butternut pumpkin so you’re probably feeling quite fatigued carrying that around!

Your baby may now be as long as 44 centimetres from head to toe and weigh around 2.25 kilos. This week, the protective vernix (that white, waxy coating that protects the baby’s skin) begins to thicken. Your baby will likely be born covered in this, especially in the folds under their arms, behind their ears, and in the groin area.

CHANGES TO YOUR BODY:

Your body might feel a little lighter than it has recently. This is due to the baby dropping, also known as lightening or engagement. The lighter feeling is an indication that your baby is settling into your lower pelvis. Once this happens it may feel easier to breathe although walking may become more difficult and you may feel like you are waddling everywhere. If you see a blood tinged, extra thick discharge it is probably your mucous plug coming away. The mucous plug blocks your cervix during pregnancy to keep your uterus safe from infection. Many women lose their plug up to two weeks before their labour begins.

The changes that happen in our bodies that facilitate this new human being are quite remarkable. But, if we are honest, some are also quite revolting, so don’t make great conversation. Here are five things about pregnancy that no one talks about.Read more here.

LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS:

The last thing you probably feel like doing is going shopping, but it’s worth getting everything you need before the baby arrives because leaving the house with a new born should be classified as an olympic sport – it’s no easy feat in the early days. If you can summon the energy, down load our essentials check list to make sure you have what you need. You can download that here. 

If you are a single mum and don’t want your baby’s father with you during the birth, consider asking a supportive friend or your mother or sister to be with you instead.

GENERAL ADVICE:

You should be monitoring your baby’s movements intermittently by this stage in your pregnancy. Count your baby’s movements and see how long it takes them to get to ten movements. It should be around an hour (or less). To get them moving try drinking a cold glass of water, or change positions or go for a short walk. If you’re worried about your baby’s movements, contact your doctor to discuss it.

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