Week 34 pregnancy update
How is it November? That means I’m having a baby next month! Or even this month if our most recent ultrasound is accurate.
I’m beyond excited, but also not too happy with myself for slacking on my to-do list.
The belly
Looks and feels bigger to me this week.
My stomach is also getting a lot veinier. I picture each tiny vein carrying blood to help grow baby. Likely medically inaccurate, but it makes me happy nonetheless.
Weight gain
After no gain last week, I’m up 2 lbs. this week. This makes a solid 27-28 lbs. gained so far during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Umm, which trimester am I in? I feel like I’m repeating the first trimester in many ways. I wake up gagging and dry heaving every morning and combat nausea throughout the day. I’ve also been battling intense fatigue again. I haven’t been able to nap, but the sleepiness is making me forgetful. I can’t tell you how many times this week I’ve blanked out in the middle of doing something. I guess “pregnancy brain” is no myth.
Workouts
I hesitate to use the word “workouts” because of my hip injury. Walking without pain is still not happening, and I’m finding the crutches to be more of a bother than they’re worth. So, I’ve been incredibly sedentary this past week.
I have been able to do some very light exercise. Swimming slowly with the pull buoy, recumbent biking without resistance, and careful stretching is all I can manage. At this point last week I feared I wouldn’t be able to be active at all until baby came, so I’m pleased I can do a little activity without pain.
- W: OFF
- Th: OFF
- F: OFF
- S: 1150m easy pool swim, stretching
- S: OFF
- M: 1200m easy pool swim, stretching
- Tu: 30 min recumbent bike, upper body weight machines, stretching
Mood
I’m so ready to meet my baby. He’s been baking for 34 weeks (+ 3 days) and I am itching to know what he looks like, what he smells like, and what he sounds like. I’m dying to know if his lack of movement during my pregnancy means he’ll sleep a lot once he’s born. Or maybe he’ll be so happy to be out that he won’t sleep well at all in the real world. Likely the latter. 
Babies born at 34+ weeks usually have no long-term health issues (unless they have existing medical conditions). I’m still 2.5 weeks away from being full-term, but it’s comforting to know that my baby will likely be fine if he comes at any time now. I feel so blessed.
Random
I’ve started to organize his clothes into piles of different sizes and remove the tags.
Very slowly but surely, I’m washing all of his adorable onesies, blankets, and bedding.
I smile like a fool every time I look at his stuff. Well except for his swaddlers. Those intimidate me. It’s not cool that those things come without step-by-step directions!
I'm Jen: runner, health writer, and new(ish) mom.
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November 2nd, 2011 - 08:19
I can see a few things in that pile that we have. Like the froggie pjs and one of the bibs.
Don’t worry swaddling will become second nature before you know it! I was afraid of it in the hospital and hubby was better at it, but then once we were home I was the swaddle master!
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:20
Hey Jen…I haven’t commented much, but I have so enjoyed reading your pregnancy updates. Having read your story in the past, it’s such a blessing to see how happy your family is. Pregnancy has been very great to your body and I hope that I look like you when I become pregnant one day. I can’t wait to see pics of your little man when he finally arrives. Are you going to purchase a baby jogger?
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:27
Thanks Katie!
Yup, we have the BOB SE running stroller.
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:22
Have the nurses at the hospital show you how to swaddle. We learned but both still suck at it. We are using the “pre-swaddled” ones now – lifesaver! Especially since she rolls on her side if she’s not swaddled!
You’re getting so close! I’m so excited for you!
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:38
I can’t believe how fast time flies! I am so happy for you and can’t wait to see pics of your little guy
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:55
Holy moly- I knew you were far along, but for some reason I saw 34 weeks I freaked out a little- it’s almost time to meet your little man- AWESOME! What swaddle blankets do you have? We use receiving blankets and just swaddle her ourselves because it works better than the swaddlers we tried. Just a thought!
And I got veiny, too, but they have faded some now. It just means you’re getting so close!
November 2nd, 2011 - 10:27
We have Aden + Anais ones and Summer SwaddleMe ones.
November 2nd, 2011 - 10:52
I just got a load of baby stuff from Amazon and I bought the exact same thing, even the patterns! This being my 3rd, I’ve found I like the convenience of the SwaddleMe, but the A+As are sooo awesome – huge and super thin. You’ll get the hang of it fast!
November 2nd, 2011 - 12:22
Yay! I’m glad I picked out the same stuff as an experienced mom. That makes me feel better.
November 3rd, 2011 - 19:57
I used the A&A for Molly – she hated the Miracle Blanket (& anything else really!) – but loved A&A. You will get a ton of use out of those!
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:56
awww i love these updates!! can’t believe the little guy will be here SO SOON!! so very happy for you guys.
November 2nd, 2011 - 08:58
Yay! So excited for you. Getting close!
November 2nd, 2011 - 09:09
Baby THIS month?! Eep!
November 2nd, 2011 - 09:13
I hope he’s a sleeper for your sake
You’re so close…yay!
November 2nd, 2011 - 12:01
Hopefully he will be a sleeper!
I didn’t even bother with swaddlers, just used receiving blankets. Let me tell you, I had no idea how to swaddle a baby. The nurse showed us in the hospital, which was a different way than they tell you to if you google it. LOL. K was a swaddlebug escape artist anyway, always wriggling his arms out of the swaddle! Awww…I miss those swaddlebug days! Kind of…
I don’t miss the multiple night feedings!
Oh! I recommend that if you are able to do any sort of exercise at all, work out your upper body. Your arms may get really sore the first few weeks as you get used to carrying around 7-8+ lbs 24/7!
(or not, since you have been rocking your pregnancy fitness!) Had I done some bicep curls with weights in the weeks leading up to birth, I think it would have been an easier transition! 
You look fab, mama!
November 2nd, 2011 - 12:11
I’ve been lifting upper body somewhat regularly all pregnancy, and swimming definitely strengthens my shoulders. I hope it helps when I carry around baby.
November 3rd, 2011 - 11:17
Oh yeah! You are definitely ready to carry around that baby!
November 2nd, 2011 - 13:11
I can’t believe you are 34 weeks along!! You’re getting so close!
November 2nd, 2011 - 13:25
I love the Aden and Anais blankets. I also highly recommend getting a couple halo sleep sacks for night. They are wide in the legs and allow your baby’s hips to move around which they need for proper development. Best wishes for the remainder of your pregnancy and the birth.
November 2nd, 2011 - 14:04
I love those swaddle blankets! My nephew has that fish and bunny one (Aden and Anais I think) and they were the best. I have some on my registry for my little girl!
You are looking fantastic and I’m glad you’ve been able to get some exercise without pain.
November 2nd, 2011 - 14:10
It’s great that you got in a little bit of exercise with no pain! And you look wonderful!!
xo Marie
Chocolate & Wine
November 2nd, 2011 - 14:19
Aww you look SO cute Jen! I cannot believe you are already 38 weeks, that is so insane! You get to meet your little one so soon : )
November 2nd, 2011 - 14:34
You look great Jen. Getting so close! (I’m
32w5d). Can’t wait to see pics of your little man
November 2nd, 2011 - 15:51
What a wonderful update
YOU are looking do healthy and strong!
November 2nd, 2011 - 20:48
I’ve loved reading your blog the last couple of months; I’m excited for you to meet your guy too – so close after such a long journey, congratulations on staying positive!
November 3rd, 2011 - 09:38
You look so great!!!! I am thinking of getting the BOB too. Can’t wait to hear about how you like it.
November 3rd, 2011 - 12:26
I can’t believe how close we are! You look great — glad you’re able to get some time in the pool. I think my favorite baby-prep so far has been doing the laundry for her. It’s funny, but I LOVE washing baby clothes! The little outfits are so cute and easy to fold. Hahahha
So enjoy it!
December 6th, 2011 - 08:55
Looking forward for more pix of your angel. Good luck to you and congratulations.