My Pregnancy: Week 34

Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long.  Her fat layers--which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born--are filling her out, making her rounder.  Her skin is also smoother than ever.  Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.  If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine.  They may need to stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few sort-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

You'd best not be planning to come this early little one!  Thankfully it doesn't appear like that will be an issue.  I had another doctor's appointment today and everything is still plugging away.  My blood pressure looked good.  I am still gaining weight.  Your heartbeat is strong and steady.  The only slight flag was that my belly is measuring about 1cm less than average.  Doctor said that it is nothing to worry about, just that you were probably sitting differently this afternoon.  He also gave me the all clear for going ahead with our California trip.  One more appointment in 2 weeks, then it is weekly visits for me!