Third Trimester 1^stTrimester     2^ndTrimester

The fundus, or top of the uterus, is high in your abdomen and the pressure under your ribs may make it impossible for you to enjoy a full meal without discomfort.

Your baby's gut would be able to process food if she were to be born this week. All the digestive enzymes are now active.

At 34 weeks the average crown to heel length is 16.7 in (42.4 cm) and the average weight is 3.7 lb (1.7 kg).

The position of the baby is unlikely to change between now and the birth if this is your first pregnancy.

The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby varies in individual pregnancies. At this stage, the fluid has reached its maximum level.

If your baby was born this week, she'd still need some help with breathing and feeding. But it's reassuring to know that basically she's in pretty good shape for survival. However, you are unlikely to go into labor this early. Now is your chance to start practicing the relaxation and pain-relieving exercises that you've been learning at your prenatal classes. The more familiar you are with the techniques, the more they will help you during labor.

Excerpted from Pregnancy Day by Day.
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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