Week 34

Welcome to Week 34! Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe, measuring 17.5–18 inches long and weighing close to 5 pounds. They’re looking more like a full-term newborn every day—chubby cheeks, plump little arms, and all.

What’s Happening in Your Body?

Baby’s nervous system is maturing, their brain is making millions of new connections, and their lungs are almost fully developed. If they were born now, they’d likely do really well with just a little extra support.

They’re also continuing to gain fat under the skin, which helps with temperature regulation after birth. By now, most babies have settled head-down in preparation for delivery, though some still flip a few more times.

For you, your uterus is pushing right up against your ribcage, making breathing and eating more difficult. You’re likely feeling all belly at this point!

Common Symptoms This Week

• Strong but more limited baby movements—you may feel stretches, rolls, and wiggles rather than flips

• Braxton Hicks contractions—more frequent but still irregular

• Pelvic pressure or discomfort, especially if baby is dropping lower

• Backaches, hip pain, or sciatica

• Swelling in feet, ankles, and hands

• Numbness or tingling in hands (pregnancy carpal tunnel)

• More bathroom trips, day and night

• Trouble sleeping—thanks to discomfort and frequent waking

And yes, fatigue and impatience are real right now—you’re so close, but still a few weeks away.

What You Can Do This Week

• Double-check your hospital bag—you’re getting close!

• Finalize your birth plan and discuss it with your provider

• Install and test the car seat if you haven’t yet

• Set up baby’s sleep space (bassinet, crib, or co-sleeper)

• Practice relaxation and breathing techniques for labor

• Keep up with light movement and stretching to help with aches and circulation

This is also a good time to start meal prepping or organizing postpartum help, so you’re not overwhelmed later.

And if you’re feeling those strong baby rolls and stretches, you can log them in Cubtale—it’s a sweet way to look back on these final weeks of pregnancy.

Real Talk

Week 34 feels like the home stretch. You’re heavier, slower, and more uncomfortable—but you’re also imagining what life will be like in just a few weeks when you finally meet your baby.

It’s normal to feel excited and anxious. It’s normal to want pregnancy to be over and feel a little scared of what’s next.

You’re almost there. Keep going—one day at a time.