Fetal development 34 weeks of pregnancy • hello healthy

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Embryo growth

How is the development of the fetus at week 34 of pregnancy?

Quoting from the Baby Center, the development of the fetal body entering the 34th week of pregnancy is as big as a melon.

A fetus can weigh as much as 2.15 kilograms with a body length of about 46 cm from head to heel.

The position of the fetus determines the method of birth

At this gestational age, most doctors will check and report whether the baby's head position at 34 weeks of gestation is below or not.

This condition will later become a consideration for doctors and mothers in choosing a delivery method.

In addition, the so-called white wax coating vernix carniosa on the baby's skin will also be thicker.

Lanugo or fine hair on the fetus is almost completely lost at 34 weeks of gestation.

The sex of the fetus

At 34 weeks of gestation, you can already find out the sex of the fetus in the womb.

Quoting from What To Expect, if your baby is a boy, this week the testes have descended from the stomach to the scrotum.

Sometimes baby boys are born with undescended testicles. However, it will be where it should be before the child is one year old.

This condition occurs in 30 percent of boys at birth. No need to worry because this condition is normal.

The nails have reached the fingertips

At 34 weeks gestation, fetal nail development has reached the fingertips. This little guy's little nails that are rather sharp are ready to be cared for when he is born.

Changes to the Body

How will my body change at 34 weeks pregnant?

The greater the gestational age, the more changes in the mother's body. Here are some of them:

Maternal calcium is reduced

During the third trimester of pregnancy, calcium intake is very important to be fulfilled for maximum fetal development. If not, this will have an impact on the bone health of both the mother and the baby in the womb.

Now at the age of 34 this week, the fetus will take a lot of calcium from the mother's body for bone development.

This makes the levels or reserves of calcium in the mother's body decrease a lot. Therefore, consume a variety of food and drink sources of calcium and supplements if needed.

Fatigue

As the fetus grows, the mother may experience fatigue, which has a fluctuating pattern.

The fatigue you feel may not be as severe or intense as you felt during the early trimester of pregnancy.

This fatigue can be triggered by a variety of factors ranging from a bad night's sleep to frequent trips to the toilet.

Rash occurs on the skin

As long as the fetus is developing in the womb, one part of the mother's body that is usually affected is the skin.

The skin of pregnant women can develop red, itchy rashes or bumps at 34 weeks of gestation.

In the medical world this is often referred to as pruritic urticarial papules or plaques of pregnancy. Itchy bumps can appear around the stomach, thighs, or buttocks.

More than 1 percent of pregnant women experience pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy .

This condition is not dangerous for fetal development, but enough to make the mother uncomfortable at 34 weeks of gestation.

During pregnancy, consult a doctor if you start to experience hives or other skin problems during pregnancy.

The doctor will determine whether it is a serious problem or not. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist if necessary.

Even if you don't see any rashes or red spots, don't hesitate to call your doctor if you feel itching all over your body. These can be signs of liver problems.

What should I watch out for at 34 weeks pregnant?

More than 85 percent of women have mucus plug aka the discharge of blood mucus. This is a sign that pregnant women will soon give birth.

If you experience mucus plug and the amniotic fluid is leaking, contact your doctor immediately for further treatment.

While waiting for an ambulance or doctor's action, please lie down on the bed. While lying down the amniotic fluid won't drain out because your baby's head is acting like a blockage.

The baby's head will stop the opening of the uterus so that the amniotic fluid will not leak out, which interferes with the development of the fetus at 34 weeks of gestation.

Visit to Doctor / Midwife

What should I discuss with my doctor to help develop the fetus at 34 weeks gestation?

Discuss any questions about your fetal development and other pregnancy issues.

You also need to ask what to prepare for delivery when consulting your doctor.

Pay attention to all the information and advice provided by your doctor, especially how to push and breathe during childbirth.

At the end of pregnancy, pregnant women must also record the doctor's practice schedule. Don't forget to prepare a list of backup doctors and hospitals.

This is a precaution when there is a traffic jam or there are obstacles on the road when you are about to give birth.

What tests should I know to help develop the fetus at 34 weeks of gestation?

At this gestational age, you will often see an obstetrician to discuss fetal development. The doctor will estimate the size of the baby and predict the time of birth.

The doctor can also provide tests according to your needs, such as:

• Measuring body weight (at this point the weight will stop gaining, or even decrease)
• Measuring blood pressure (may be higher than the 6th month)
• Urine scan to check sugar and protein levels
• Check for varicose veins in the legs and swelling of the feet and hands
• Check the size of the uterus such as how thin and whether it has begun to expand
• Check the height of the fundus (the top of the uterus)
• Perform a fetal heart rate test
• Check the size of the fetus, direction of birth (head or feet first), and fetal position (face down or face up)

Write down the list of complaints and questions that you want to consult the doctor, especially regarding childbirth and birth.

Also ask about some symptoms such as the frequency of false contractions (Braxton Hicks) and other symptoms, especially abnormal symptoms that can interfere with fetal development.

Health and Safety

What do I need to know to maintain the healthy development of the fetus at 34 weeks of gestation?

To keep pregnancy healthy, moderate exercise such as swimming is highly recommended. This activity can make pregnant women feel more comfortable, especially when the pregnancy is big.

At 34 weeks of pregnancy, swimming in chlorine-filled pools generally does not cause problems with fetal development.

To date, there are no valid data to indicate a risk of developing fetal development problems or birth defects due to swimming.

However, swimming in a pool with a chlorine mixture can trigger infections in some people.

Pregnant women should be vigilant and consult a doctor immediately if there are symptoms of any type of infection, especially those that appear after swimming.

So what will the fetus be like in the next week?

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.