With 34 weeks down, you're cruising through month 8 of your pregnancy.

Your little bambino is now weighing in at about 5 pounds — the same as a standard bag of flour.

Meanwhile, your uterus keeps on growing (and growing) to accommodate the bigger bun in the oven.

Your Baby at Week 34

At a Glance

Sleep schedule
Sleep schedule
Your baby closes those cute eyes when she snoozes and opens them when she’s awake, helping your little one settle into a sleep schedule.
Thick skin
Thick skin
The waxy, cheesy coating on your baby’s skin — vernix — begins to thicken this week before it starts shedding in the next few weeks.
Poking through
Poking through
As your baby grows, you may be able to see body parts like little hands and feet through your belly!

34 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 34 weeks pregnant, you're in month 8 of your pregnancy. Only 1 month left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 34 weeks?

This week your baby is clocking in at 5¼ pounds and could be as long as 18 inches. Need a visual? Hold a 5-pound bag of flour in your arms and imagine it's your soon-to-be-born baby — cradle it and you'll only get strange looks in the baking aisle.

Then stack three such bags one on top of the other and get ready for some more strange looks, maybe from the same clerks who saw you grinning and holding that 1-pound bag of sugar a few weeks ago. That's how long your baby is at 34 weeks pregnant.

Baby sex differences

If your baby is a boy, then this week the testicles are making their way down from the abdomen to the scrotum. Some full-term baby boys — roughly 3 to 4 percent — are born with undescended testicles, but they usually make the trip down sometime before the first birthday. About 30 percent of preterm boys are born with undescended testicles, too.

Tiny fingernails and toenails

In other baby-related developments, those tiny fingernails have probably reached the tips of his fingers by now — and are getting ready for that first postpartum manicure.

Your Body at Week 34

34 Weeks Pregnant

Still growing

Your eyes do not deceive you: Your uterus is still growing — and you thought there was no more room! — and, at 34 weeks pregnant, is around a whole 5 inches above your navel now.

Vision changes

But wait...are you seeing things? You likely aren't seeing as well as usual. That's because your eyes are yet another part of your body that can fall prey to those pesky pregnancy hormones — the same ones doing a number on your digestive tract and your ligaments.

Not only can your vision seem blurry these days, but a decrease in tear production can leave your eyes dry and irritated, especially if you wear contact lenses.

What's more, an increase in fluid behind your eyes’ lenses can temporarily change their shape, making some women more nearsighted or farsighted than usual. You may find wearing glasses rather than contact lenses to be more comfortable.

Happily, these changes are all temporary. Things should clear up as your eyes return to normal after delivery, so there's no need to change your prescription just yet. But do keep in mind that certain more serious vision problems can be a sign of preeclampsia, so be sure to mention any vision changes to your practitioner.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 34

Bloating and gas
Bloating and gas
Constipation
Constipation
Increased vaginal discharge
Increased vaginal discharge
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids
Backaches
Backaches
Leg cramps
Leg cramps
Stretch marks
Stretch marks
Edema (swelling in feet and ankles)
Edema (swelling in feet and ankles)
Fast-growing hair
Fast-growing hair
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
Insomnia
Insomnia
Leaking colostrum
Leaking colostrum

Tips for You This Week

Install the car seat

You bought the car seat, but have you installed it yet? A better question: Have you installed it correctly? Between 85 and 95 percent of new parents do it wrong.

No matter the model of vehicle or car seat you have, you should always follow three important rules for installing an infant car seat:

1. The safest spot for your baby is always in the backseat — preferably in the middle spot, away from passenger-side air bags.

2. Face it backwards. Experts including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urge parents to keep kids in the rear-facing position until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat.

3. Be sure the base is secured tightly. A car seat shouldn’t wobble, pivot, slide or tip. If you're not sure if you installed it correctly, get yours checked by a professional technician. Your local police or fire station may also be able to check your handiwork for free.

Protect your eyes

Your eyes may be feeling more dry and sensitive than usual, so keep your sunglasses and lubricating eye drops, known as “artificial tears,” handy.

Many are safe to use during pregnancy, but ask your doctor for a recommendation first. Your peepers will be filled with tears of joy soon enough.

Get help for prenatal blues

Feeling blue? Between 10 and 15 percent of pregnant women suffer from depression during pregnancy. And it’s no wonder they’re even more susceptible to depression when they’re expecting: Surging hormones coupled with stress, anxiety and societal pressure to feel a certain way can do a number on their emotional state.

Some factors can put you at greater risk for depression, but it can strike anyone at any time — and there’s no shame in asking for help. Talk to your provider; some antidepressants are safe to use when pregnant.

Salt, but don’t oversalt, your food

Wondering if cutting back on salt will help ease the puff? That depends on how much salt you're eating in the first place. Doctors used to recommend a low-sodium diet during pregnancy — which made it hard to satisfy those pickles-and-ice-cream cravings — but thankfully they no longer do.

A moderate amount of salt — for example, adding iodized table salt to your meals and eating lightly salted foods— actually helps your body regulate fluids. Plus, dramatically cutting back on sodium isn't good for the baby.

But before you polish off that pickle jar, keep in mind that too much salt isn't healthy for anyone, pregnant or not, and can even pump up the puffing.

The bottom line? Salt, but don't oversalt, your food. Give yourself a one- or two-pickle-per-sitting limit, skip the heavily salted snacks and get into the habit of tasting before sprinkling.

Give yourself a boost

Looking for an energy lift now that you've cut down on those lattes? Believe it or not, you'll find it in regular exercise. A brisk walk, jog or yoga session will increase blood flow and boost feel-good endorphins.

The result? A revitalizing burst of energy, one that actually lasts longer than the coffee-induced kind. Need more convincing? Unlike those lattes, physical activity helps you sleep better too, which will also stave off daytime fatigue.

Go for a (safe) soak

Love a good soak in the tub? Then dive right in, darling. There's no truth to the myth that dirty bath water can enter the cervix and cause an infection. Do check that the temperature is right though: It should be warm, not hot.

And just be careful when you climb inside — at 34 weeks pregnant, your bigger belly may affect your sense of balance, and not being able to see your feet can make you even more prone to spills. Make sure your tub has a non-skid surface, and take your time getting in and out.

Talk through your labor game plan

Make sure you talk to your doctor about what to do when you think you're in labor. It will help to get clear instructions on when to call your practitioner about contractions, what to do if your water breaks, and if or when to go to the hospital directly. That way, you’ll know what to expect and won’t be confused in the heat of the moment.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

Recommended Products

What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

Best Products to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Labor and Delivery
View All
Talk Works 10-Foot iPhone Charger
See Now Add To Amazon Registry
Hospital Bag Checklist - AmazonBasics Lightning USB Cable
Yeti Rambler Water Bottle
See Now Add To Amazon Registry
Mom Recommended Hospital Bag Checklist - YETI Rambler Water Bottle in teal
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, 4-Pack
See Now Add To Amazon Registry
Mom Recommended Hospital Bag Checklist - Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, 4-Pack
Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear for Women
See Now Add To Amazon Registry
Mom Recommended Hospital Bag Checklist - Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear for Women
Frida Mom Postpartum Underwear
See Now Add To Amazon Registry
Mom Recommended Hospital Bag Checklist - Frida Mom Disposable High Waist C Section Postpartum Underwear

What Other June 2023 Moms Are Talking About

join
There are 28,975 active discussions happening now with other June 2023 parents-to-be.
Join in