How Your Baby Grows During the Thirty-Fourth Week
You baby is now a solid 5 pounds and has a crown-to-rump length of almost 13 inches long. His lanugo hair is beginning to disappear, and by the time he is born only traces will remain on his upper shoulders or ears.
If this is your first baby he might already be engaged into the pelvis, called lightening or dropping, although in subsequent pregnancies a baby might not fully engage until after labor begins. Your baby can also see better now and is even able to make out light shining through the wall of the uterus and your stomach.
What the Mother Feels During the Thirty-Fourth Week
Your uterus is still expanding and is about 5 and a half inches above your bellybutton now. You may have lost your bellybutton now, or even have an "outie". If your bellybutton is sore or sensitive you can put a band-aid over it to keep it from rubbing against your shirt.
If your baby has dropped you will have more room for breathing, but more pressure in your pelvis. This can cause additional swelling in your hands and feet. Some swelling is normal, but sudden swelling, especially in the face or hands, can be a sign of hypertension or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, and should be checked out by your health care provider. A doctor or midwife will monitor the level of your swelling, and your blood pressure levels, to make sure you are staying healthy.
Resources:
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month by Dr. Sears
Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Lesley Regan
