Day 239 of 280, third trimester
You are 34 weeks and 1 day
As your size starts to affect your daily activities, you'll find a few practical adjustments are needed.
41 days until your due date
Your posture changes as your belly grows. To balance the weight you're carrying, you may lean back slightly, especially when walking downhill, and you may waddle as you shift your weight from side to side. In a few weeks, when the baby's head starts to engage in the pelvis, you may waddle even more.
It's normal to move more slowly at this late stage. Getting out of bed or a chair, or picking something up off the floor, can be harder than usual, and tying your shoelaces or painting your toenails may seem impossible. You can get around some of this, for example by resting your foot on a stool to tie your laces so you don't have to bend so far. If you need help, there's no shame in asking. Relying on others can be hard, but remember it's only temporary.
Focus on
Your health: A diabetic pregnancy
Whether you develop diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or already had diabetes, you'll need special care, and your doctor will draw up a plan for you, since diabetes carries risks in pregnancy. For you, these include high blood pressure, blood clots, preeclampsia, diabetic kidney disease, and diabetic retinopathy, which affects the retina of the eye. For the baby, there's a higher risk of congenital abnormalities, and growth may be too fast or too slow.
The key to a healthy pregnancy and baby is good blood-sugar control, because your insulin needs change throughout pregnancy. Controlling blood sugar lowers the risk of birth defects and stillbirth, and of a larger-than-expected baby, which can cause problems at the birth.
With gestational diabetes, you'll need to adapt your diet to include carbohydrates and fiber and cut down on fats and sugar. You may also need insulin injections to help control your blood sugar.
Ask a Doctor
Can I have a water birth in the hospital?
It depends on the maternity unit. Some have birthing pools; others let you rent one. More hospitals and birthing centers now offer water birth, so ask about renting a pool and bringing it in, but accept that it may not be possible. Some hospitals let you labor in a pool but not deliver in it. And if your unit has a pool, it may already be in use when you go into labor.
Appointments and key dates around now
- RSV vaccineFrom 28 weeks
Read the full 34 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.