Pregnancy Calendar Week 34
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
Your Baby’s Development
During pregnancy calendar week 34, your baby is busy building his/her immune system. When born, he/she will have the necessary immunities to fight mild infections. However, the immune system won’t reach its full strength until much later.
If you’re expecting a boy, by pregnancy calendar week 34 your baby’s testicles should have now descended into the scrotum. However, about 30 percent of premature baby boys and 3 percent of full-term boys are born with undescended testicles. Your doctor will be able to check for this condition shortly after your baby is born. Although undescended testicles typically move into the proper position by the child’s first birthday, sometimes surgery is necessary to correct the problem.
Sometime between pregnancy calendar week 32 and pregnancy calendar week 36, most babies will settle into a head-down position for delivery. However, it’s possible that your baby will continue to change positions up until just a few days before your due date.
Changes in Your Body during Pregnancy Calendar Week 34
If you’re starting to grow tired of being pregnant, you can take comfort in knowing that there is now a light at the end of the tunnel! You only need to endure a few more weeks of stretch marks, itching, indigestion, constipation, round ligament pains, frequent urination, and other bothersome pregnancy symptoms!
While many women find that their bulging bellies result in decreased libidos, others still enjoy sex during the third trimester. If you’re not considered a high risk pregnancy, there’s no evidence that intercourse will harm your baby. However, it is recommended that your partner wear a condom to keep the irritant prostaglandins in semen from causing any premature contractions.
Preparing for Baby
If you haven’t already done so, pregnancy calendar week 34 is a good time to prepare your things for your baby’s birth. While most women won’t give birth until after 37 weeks, there is always a possibility that your bundle of joy could arrive earlier than expected. If you’re carrying multiplies, it’s especially important to be prepared for your delivery. Most mothers of multiples will go into labor before pregnancy calendar week 37. In fact, 50 percent of multiple deliveries occur between 34 and 37 weeks.
Getting ready for your baby’s arrival can be a great way to take your mind off your discomfort during these last few weeks of pregnancy. You may want to pack your hospital bag, wash your baby’s clothing, and stock up on diapers. If you’re still feeling up to cooking, you may want to stock your freezer with casseroles and other easy-to-prepare meals. It’s also a good idea to keep your car filled with gas at all times.
If you have other children at home, involving them in the preparations can help facilitate the bonding process. Have your young children make a banner for the nursery or a handmade card for their new brother or sister’s baby book. If your children are slightly older, use a doll to teach them how to diaper and hold a baby. Since many children feel left out when a new sibling arrives, make it a point to spend some one-on-one quality time with your older children during these last few weeks of your pregnancy.
|
<< See Pregnancy Week 33 |
See Pregnancy Week 35>> |
Learn More
This page has been accessed 738 times. This page was last modified 04:55, 22 October 2008.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
