Canada's Largest & Oldest Cord Blood Bank
The big day is just a month away. Have you crossed off everything from your checklist yet?
This Week’s Highlights
Your baby is continuing to fill out with brown fat
You baby is almost at birth length
Your baby may ‘drop’ lower down into your pelvis
Your Baby at 34 Weeks
Your baby is the size of a pineapple, measuring about 17.7 inches (45 centimeters) long and weighing in at about 4.7 pound (2.1 kilograms).
Baby Development at Week 34
If your baby were to be born this week, with a little help from the neonatal unit for breathing he or she will be able to survive and thrive.
Your baby is now depositing more brown fat under the skin, which will help keep him or her warm after birth. After birth, newborns no longer deposit brown fat, so remember to keep your baby dressed in layers to make sure he/she doesn’t get too hot or too cold.
Your little one can now recognize your voice. So continue to talk or sing to them. Studies show the lullabies and songs babies hear in utero also helps them calm down as newborns.
Pregancy Tip
Feeling pregnancy blues? Treat yourself to a spa date, go to a movie or find another pregnancy-friendly activity to cheer yourself up.
Your Bump at 34 Weeks
At this point in pregnancy, your fundal height (the distance from your pelvic bone to the top of your uterus) should measure somewhere between 32 to 36 centimetres. If your measurements deviate from this, your healthcare provider may order another ultrasound to figure out the cause.
Only a few weeks to go.
Cord Blood Banking is a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity that is Only Available at Birth.
How Your Body is Changing
If you find that your belly is now significantly lower than it was a few weeks ago this means your baby has ‘dropped.’ The baby has moved lower into your pelvis, which hopefully will relieve some of those pregnancy symptoms like heartburn and breathing difficulties. Just a note, every pregnancy is different, and some babies don’t drop until right before birth.
It is possible that you will experience pain or feel tingling or numbness in your pelvis at this point, caused by the baby putting pressure on your nerves. These symptoms will likely persist until after birth, so be sure to mention them to your healthcare provider if they are causing too much discomfort.
How Far Along are You?
34 weeks in, 6 weeks to go! You are 85% of the way through your pregnancy. Even though pregnancy is measured in weeks this means you are finishing off your eighth month of your pregnancy.
Exercise at Week 34
Starting to feel tired and exhausted? Did you know that getting active is the best way to get an energy boost? Go for a walk around the neighbourhood, do some stretching, or just get your blood pumping.
Staying active is the best way to prepare for labour and delivery. Exercise can also help with the insomnia you may be experiencing at this stage.
Stem Cells Improve the Outcome of ACL Reconstruction Surgery
Sports injuries can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common injuries experienced by athletes who play sports like soccer, football and basketball, which involves sudden stops or changes in directions.
In the US, more than 300, 000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually. Using a rabbit model, the researchers showed that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and decellularized free tendon allografts were effective for improving ACL reconstruction results.
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 34
Vision changes – Some moms experience blurred vision during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones are behind this symptom. Blurry vision or vision changes pass after birth, so do not invest in new glasses or contact lenses just yet!
Restless leg syndrome– This is a pregnancy symptom experienced by approximately 15% of moms to be that may keep you up all night. Restless leg syndrome is characterized by uncomfortable tingling or creeping and crawling felt in your feet and legs that makes you want to move them. Genetics, hormonal changes and even certain types of foods may be behind why you experience restless leg syndrome.
Constipation– Constipation usually affect moms in the third trimester. The same pregnancy hormones that relax your muscles and joints, also relax muscles in your digestive tract. This means food is passed along at a slower rate through your system causing your system to be backed up a bit. Including fibre-rich foods in your diet can help.
Headaches – Changing hormone levels are the main culprit behind your pregnancy headaches. Fatigue, stress, overeating, allergies and a drop in blood sugar levels can also lead to headaches. Remember to get lots of fresh air and stay cool by wearing comfortable clothing.
Dry, itchy skin – As your belly and breasts grow, the stretching skin can often cause itchiness. Staying hydrated and applying moisturizer can help minimize the dryness and the itchiness.
Leaky boobs – Your breast start making colostrum in the first trimester. Colostrum is the term for that first milk, which is packed with antibodies that your baby, will receive. You may experience leaky boobs in the third trimester because the levels of prolactin, the hormone that revs up milk production, keeps steadily increasing. Small leaks in colostrum during this stage of pregnancy are normal. You may want to consider putting nursing pads inside your bra to catch the overflow.
