34 weeks pregnant
Length: 44 cmWeight: 2200 g
Baby development
I’m now preparing for delivery.
If I haven’t already gotten into position, I will do so now by nestling into my mother’s pelvis. My brain is growing rapidly and my head is much larger in circumference. But my skull will not be fully formed at birth. Thanks to the fontanel or soft spot, the shape of my head can change and be adjusted during delivery to facilitate a smooth birth.
My nails are fully grown and can be long when I'm born. Therefore, I may get my very first manicure in the maternity ward to ensure I don’t end up hurting myself. A nail file or clippers could be one of the things you add to the hospital bag.
Thanks to my mother's antibodies during pregnancy, I have been able to build my immune system. However, I'm not completely resistant to diseases in the beginning and will need to be protected from infections once I am outside the womb.
Mothers development
Your body is readying itself for childbirth.
You may feel your uterus tightening up. It’s its way of having a little workout before delivery. Contractions are also a part of the body's preparation work. They aren’t dangerous and seldom hurt.
Some women may begin leaking breast milk now. If that happens, you can buy breast pads, as they will usually be used sooner or later. It may also be a good idea to buy sanitary pads as you might experience some light bleeding a few weeks after delivery. Regular-size pads may not perform the same function as before so it’s recommended that you get larger sizes. They can be bought at your local pharmacy. Be sure to have pads on hand so you don’t have to think about them later.
Have you written a birth plan letter? If your midwife hasn’t spoken to you about this, then be sure to remind her next time you meet. A birth plan letter is important as it allows you to reflect, write down and remember things that are important to you during the delivery. Even if things never turn out as we expect, a letter like this still gives you and the staff a general idea of your needs and wants before, during and after. Consider and discuss in advance with your midwife if you want pain relief or not. If this is your first child, it might be difficult to know what is right for you so be sure to get as much information as you can. There are many things to consider before delivery, and the more you prepare, the calmer you will feel.
Co-parent
Delivery day is fast approaching!
Have the preparations gone according to plan? Perhaps you have finished fixing up the baby’s room, the bed, the pram, the changing table and…yes, there is an awful lot to get to grips with. Try to help with planning and purchasing.
Have you spoken together about the actual delivery and what to expect? Have you thought about your role? If you’re still working on the birth plan letter you might want to add a few lines about what you want and can help with. And be sure to check that the hospital bag is packed and includes everything you might need. There are a lot of lists online of what needs to be in the hospital bag and this might be overwhelming. But remember to keep it simple and focus on only the essentials.
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