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Third trimester

34 weeks pregnant

At 34 weeks your baby is curled up with legs tucked toward the chest, and space in the uterus is tight. Fast growth and fat gain continue while the lungs finish maturing. Some people find breathing easier as the baby settles lower, and some leak colostrum.

This page covers 34 weeks 0 days to 34 weeks 6 days (34+0 to 34+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 34.

Botanical illustration of a honeydew melon

About the size of a honeydew melon

Typical estimated weight 2.38 kg (5 lb 4 oz) at 34+0, about 2.56 kg (5 lb 10 oz) by 34+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • Your baby lies curled up with legs tucked toward the chest. Space is tight, but you should still feel movement and may see your bump change shape.2
  • Fast growth and substantial fat gain continue.3
  • Rhythmic breathing movements continue, and the lungs are nearing full development, though they are not completely mature yet.3,4
  • The bones are fully formed but still soft.3
  • The finishing touches on growth and brain development are the focus of these last weeks.4

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • Some symptoms may ease if your baby moves head down into the pelvis, called engagement or lightening. Breathlessness and heartburn may improve, but you may need to pee more and walking can feel harder. Engagement does not mean you are about to give birth.2
  • Your breasts may feel larger and leak yellowish colostrum, an early milk rich in antibodies. A light bra at night and a supportive one during the day may help.2
  • Sleeping on your side is advised because it helps blood flow to the placenta, and it may ease backache.2
  • Movements should continue right up to labor. If they slow down, stop or change from the usual pattern, contact your provider or maternity unit straight away, even at night.5

Care around this week

  • US: prenatal visits often move to every two weeks in the third trimester and then to weekly. UK: everyone is usually offered an appointment at 34 weeks to check blood pressure, test urine and measure the bump, and to talk about preparing for birth, birth preferences, recognizing labor, your baby's movements and your mental health.4,6
  • US: the maternal RSV vaccine is given at 32 to 36 weeks during September through January in most of the country, and Tdap is recommended during weeks 27 through 36. UK: the RSV vaccine can be given up until labor, and the whooping cough vaccine can still be given if you missed it before 32 weeks.7,8,9
  • Labor before 37 completed weeks is preterm labor. If you have regular contractions, leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina, pelvic pressure or period-like cramps, contact your provider or maternity unit immediately.10,11

Questions to ask your provider

  • Has my baby engaged yet, and which way are they lying?
  • Is leaking colostrum anything I need to do something about?
  • What should my birth plan cover, and how flexible can it be?
  • Is there still time for me to get the RSV vaccine?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.12,13,14,15

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.14,16
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.11,14,15,17
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.5,14
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.12,14,15
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.12,14,15
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.12,14,18
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.17,18
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.14,15,17
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.14,15
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.19
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.14,20
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.14,21

Questions about 34 weeks

Does my baby dropping at 34 weeks mean labor is close?

No. When your baby moves head down into the pelvis, called engagement or lightening, it can ease breathlessness and heartburn, but it does not mean you are about to give birth.2

Is it normal to leak from my breasts at 34 weeks?

Yes, leaking yellowish colostrum is common. This early milk is rich in antibodies, and a supportive bra may help you feel more comfortable.2

What happens at the 34-week appointment?

In the UK, it usually includes a blood pressure check, a urine test and measuring your bump, plus a talk about preparing for birth, your birth preferences and how to recognize labor. In the US, visit schedules vary, often moving to every two weeks in the third trimester.4,6

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. Week 34 of pregnancyNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Fetal development: stages of growthCleveland Clinic
  5. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  6. Your antenatal appointmentsNHS (England)
  7. Protecting Infants from RSVUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  8. Tdap Vaccination for Pregnant WomenUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  9. Vaccinations in pregnancyNHS (England)
  10. Preterm laborUS National Library of Medicine
  11. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  12. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  13. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  14. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  15. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  16. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  17. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  18. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  20. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  21. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy