Pregnancy Week 34: What to Expect Now

Pregnancy Week 34: What to Expect This Week

Welcome to Pregnancy Week 34. The point in pregnancy where you may find yourself accidentally groaning every time you get up, sit down, or turn over in bed. Baby is getting snug in there, and your body is working overtime.

You’re not quite at the finish line, but you’re definitely on the final lap.

Baby at Pregnancy Week 34

By Pregnancy Week 34, your baby is about 45cm long and weighs roughly 2.2kg, getting chubbier by the day and looking more and more like the newborn you’ll soon be holding.

Inside your womb:

Baby’s central nervous system and lungs are still maturing
They’re practising breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid (adorable and weird)
Their eyes can open, and they may react to bright light
They’re likely head-down now—or at least thinking about it

Movements may feel more like wriggles and stretches than sharp kicks, but they should still be regular. Always flag any reduction in movement with your midwife.

Your Symptoms at Pregnancy Week 34

The phrase “heavily pregnant” applies now. At Pregnancy Week 34, it’s common to feel a little more tired, achy, and breathless as baby grows and your centre of gravity shifts.

You might experience:

Braxton Hicks contractions
Pelvic or back pain
Swelling in your feet and hands
Heartburn or indigestion
Trouble sleeping—blame the bump and the brain
Increased discharge (yep, another glamorous part of the third trimester)

Midwife tip: Struggling to sleep? Try elevating your upper body slightly and using a pillow between your legs for better alignment.

What to Do at Pregnancy Week 34

This is a great time to get ahead while you still (sort of) have the energy.

Finalise your birth preferences—flexible is good, but it helps to have a plan
Book onto any last-minute antenatal classes
Look into colostrum harvesting (you can usually start from 36 weeks, but ordering now is smart)
Stock the freezer with a few easy post-baby meals
Start thinking about postpartum recovery and support—not just the baby things

Shop our Colostrum Harvesting Kit

The Honest Midwife Thoughts

Pregnancy Week 34 often comes with a strange mix of emotions. You might be excited to meet your baby, nervous about the birth, and wondering if you’ve got everything “ready.”

Here’s the truth: babies don’t need everything perfect, and neither do you. What makes a difference is feeling informed, supported, and confident in your choices.

That’s where I come in—with friendly, honest guidance, zero judgement, and real tools that help.

Feeling Ready? Join Us for a Class

At Week 34, the countdown is on. These classes are perfect for this stage:

Natural Labour & Birth – our free session to help you understand how birth works and what to expect
Hypnobirthing Course – practical tools to reduce fear and increase calm (no whale music required)
Instrumental & Instrumental Birth Workshop – know your options and your rights
Infant Feeding Workshop – get ahead with feeding knowledge and bust the myths

See all upcoming live classes