But most babies who are small for gestational age have growth problems that happen during pregnancy. Many of these babies have a condition called intrauterine growth restriction. This happens when the unborn baby doesn’t get the nutrients and oxygen needed to grow and develop organs and tissues.

The most common cause is a problem in the placenta (the tissue that carries food and blood to the baby). Birth defects and genetic disorders can cause IUGR. If the mother has an infection, high blood pressure, is smoking, or drinking too much alcohol or abusing drugs, her baby might have IUGR.

Causes of Fetal Growth Restriction The condition can also occur as the result of certain health problems in the mother, such as: Advanced diabetes. High blood pressure or heart disease. Infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis.

Week 34: Baby’s fingernails grow By now your baby might be nearly 12 inches (300 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh more than 4 1/2 pounds (2,100 grams).

For most of your pregnancy, baby sort of swims around from one side of your uterus to the other. But at the 33- or 34-week mark, he or she will likely start to move permanently into the “head down” position to prep for labor, and descend further into your pelvis.

Signs of Preterm Labor Menstrual-like cramps above the pubic bone. Pressure or an achy feeling in the pelvis, thighs, or groin. A dull lower backache or back pressure. Intestinal cramping or diarrhea.

If your premature baby is 34 weeks or older, he’ll probably be able to suckle some breastmilk from your breast. But if your baby is younger, it might be weeks before he’s able to breastfeed fully.

A baby’s lungs are not fully developed until about 36 weeks. Most babies born between 31 and 34 weeks gestation need some help with breathing. Some babies need extra oxygen. Others may also need a machine called a ventilator to help with breathing.

Fetal growth chart

Although every baby is different, in most cases babies born before 36 weeks of gestation require a minimum of one day of observation in the NICU before they are transferred to the postpartum floor to stay with you. All babies born before 35 weeks gestation will need a longer observation period in the NICU.

Doctors recommend that babies remain inside the womb until at least 39 weeks, if possible, for the best outcomes. Babies born at 36 weeks may face challenges, such as health complications and developmental delays into childhood. Being aware of these difficulties allows the parents and doctor to put a plan in place.

You at 35 weeks Labour that starts before 37 weeks is considered premature. If your baby is born early, he or she may need special care in hospital. Find out what to expect if labour starts early. You’ll probably find you need to slow down because the extra weight makes you tired, and you may get backache.

This means that if your baby is born when they are 34 weeks old, they have the same chances of being healthy as any other baby that wasn’t born prematurely. But, it’s important to know that 34-week-old infants will probably need to stay in the hospital for one to two weeks in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

34 Weeks Pregnant Is How Many Months? At 34 weeks pregnant, you’re eight months pregnant, give or take. You’re only about six weeks away from becoming a mom!

Table II.