Day 244 of 280, third trimester
You are 34 weeks and 6 days
It's never too late to improve your fitness, and whatever you do now will stand you in good stead for labor.
36 days until your due date
You may be in the final weeks, but you still need to stay active. Exercising regularly and consistently brings real rewards: better fitness, higher self-esteem, and much more energy. Choose activities you enjoy; swimming and walking are popular at this late stage, and both also help you relax and unwind.
It's hard to give an exact figure for how long to exercise, because it depends on how hard you're working; the two are linked. Think of the difference between a sprint and a marathon: one is short with an intense need for energy, the other needs slow, sustained energy. Always listen to your body and stop if you're at risk of overdoing it. Eat plenty when you're exercising, choosing snacks that fuel your body, especially as the third trimester is the most nutritionally demanding for your baby.
Ask a Doctor
Why are some babies born prematurely?
Certain factors can make a premature birth more likely. These include a history of premature birth in yourself, your mother, or your sister; illness during pregnancy; your health before pregnancy; carrying more than one baby; and problems with the baby, such as reduced growth, which may be linked to lifestyle factors like smoking, and other fetal disorders.
Good to know
Kangaroo care
If your premature baby goes into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), you may be able to care for him using kangaroo care. You hold your baby on your chest between your breasts, with his head turned so his ear is next to your heart.
Developed in Bogotá, Colombia, because of a shortage of incubators, kangaroo care has many proven benefits for NICU babies. Mainly, their heart and breathing rates settle quite quickly, so they sleep for much longer. Your breasts adjust in temperature to regulate the baby's, so he doesn't use energy keeping warm. This, plus the extra sleep, saves his energy for vital things such as brain development and weight gain. Breastfeeding is also more successful, and some kangaroo-care babies lose none of their birth weight.
Explainer
A daily walk
A daily walk leaves you energized and is good practice for all the strolls you'll be taking with your baby.
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.