Day 234 baby development and maternal changes

A: A 34-week baby is a late preterm infant; after birth it usually needs short-term observation in the neonatal department (breathing, temperature, blood sugar, jaundice, etc.). Once weight is normal and condition is good, rooming-in may be possible after assessment. The specific decision is made by the neonatal doctor.

A: Yes. After week 34 labour can start at any time. The bag — mum’s supplies (maternity pads, nursing bra, toiletries) + baby’s supplies (NB nappies, swaddle, going-home outfit) + documents (ID card, social-security card, prenatal records) — should be complete with the list by the door so you can leave at a moment’s notice.

A: A cumulative gain of about 11-15kg by week 34 is common. For a standard BMI, the third trimester is about 0.4-0.5kg a week and the whole pregnancy recommends about 11.5-16kg. Watch the overall trend and manage by BMI with a weight-gain calculator.

A: NST (non-stress test) uses a fetal-heart monitor to see how the baby’s heart rate responds to fetal movement, assessing intrauterine wellbeing. Generally done every 1-2 weeks from week 34 until delivery, earlier and more often for high-risk mums. It takes about 20-40 minutes and is non-invasive.

A: The three measurements at 34 weeks: BPD (biparietal diameter) about 85.0mm, AC (abdominal circumference) about 299.3mm, and FL (femur length) about 63.2mm. If the three are in step, growth is good; a single slight deviation isn’t necessarily abnormal — go by your obstetrician’s overall assessment.

A: Most babies have obvious active periods. Since week 28, count fetal movements daily: one hour in the morning, afternoon and evening each; ≥10 within 2 hours is normal. If it’s clearly under 10 in 2 hours or down by more than half from usual, seek care immediately.

A: GBS (group-B streptococcus) is a common colonising bacterium and doesn’t mean infection. Intravenous antibiotics during delivery can effectively prevent about 80% of newborn infections and doesn’t affect vaginal delivery. Screening is generally arranged at weeks 35-37.

A: Priorities: weekly NST monitoring, keep counting fetal movements, routine visits, hospital bag in place, and tell true from false contractions. Seek care promptly at signals of regular contractions, broken waters, "show" or reduced movement.

A: ACOG advises women without complications about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise accumulated weekly (walking, prenatal yoga, swimming), split over 5 days at about 30 minutes a day. In the third trimester focus on walking and stretching; avoid intense exercise and pressure on the abdomen; stop and seek care for pain or bleeding.

A: Yes. The CDC and ACOG recommend the Tdap whooping-cough vaccine at weeks 27-36 to prevent Pertussis in the baby; the inactivated flu vaccine can also be given in flu season. Both are pregnancy-safe vaccines; tell them you’re pregnant before vaccination.

A: If there’s no placenta praevia, bleeding, cervical insufficiency or threatened preterm labour, gentle sex is fine using positions that don’t press on the belly and with gentle movements. The closer to term, the more caution in the third trimester; pause if unwell or the doctor advises against it; seek care for post-sex bleeding, pain or leaking fluid.

A: When a cramp hits, flex the foot and massage the calf; prevention relies on supplementing calcium and magnesium, drinking water and stretching before bed. For swelling, raise your legs, lie on your left side, walk to promote return flow, and moderately limit salt. If swelling suddenly worsens, spreads to the face and hands, or comes with headache or vision changes, check blood pressure to rule out preeclampsia.

A: Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, high-mercury large fish, unpasteurised dairy, alcohol, caffeine over 200mg a day, and excess animal liver. If you have GDM, strictly control refined sugar and sugary drinks as well.

A: Eat smaller meals more often and chew slowly, sit or stand for 30 minutes after meals before lying down, avoid eating in the 2-3 hours before bed, avoid spicy, greasy, overly sweet food and carbonated drinks, and prop up your upper body when sleeping. In serious cases, use a pregnancy-safe antacid under a doctor’s guidance.

A: Eat more coarse grains and vegetables for dietary fiber, drink 1.5-2L of water daily, walk after meals, and toilet regularly without squatting long; soak in warm water for haemorrhoids. Iron supplements can worsen constipation — discuss an adjustment with your doctor; in serious cases choose a pregnancy-safe medication rather than a stimulant laxative.

A: It comes from a forward centre of gravity and relaxin loosening the ligaments and pelvic joints. Avoid long standing or sitting, wear supportive low-heeled shoes, use a belly-support belt, side-sleep with a pregnancy pillow, do prenatal yoga and pelvic-floor exercise, and apply local warmth. Sharp pain on one side or with bleeding and fever needs care.

A: A growing belly, frequent urination and trouble turning over affect sleep. Use a pregnancy pillow for support, sleep on your left side, soak your feet before bed to relax, reduce evening fluids to cut night urination, and exercise moderately during the day. Avoid screens before bed and caffeinated drinks.

A: More frequent false contractions in the third trimester are common: brief tightening of the belly, painless and irregular, disappearing with rest. If they become regular, with pain or lumbar heaviness down, seek care to rule out preterm labour (after 34 weeks tocolysis is generally no longer used).

A: It sorts into three: mum’s supplies (maternity pads, nursing bra, toiletries, straw cup), baby’s supplies (NB nappies, swaddle, going-home outfit, small hat), and documents (ID card, social-security card, prenatal records). Keep it by the door so you can leave at a moment’s notice.