How many months is 34 weeks pregnant?

34 weeks pregnant puts you in month 8 of pregnancy. Month 8 covers weeks 32 to 35. Providers count in weeks; months are approximate.

How big is the baby at 34 weeks?

At 34 weeks, the baby is about the size of a cantaloupe, roughly 45 cm long and around 2146 g. That is an average; healthy babies vary.

What symptoms should I not ignore at 34 weeks pregnant?

Itching that is intense, keeps you awake, or affects your palms and soles needs urgent help. It may be intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a liver problem that needs treatment. Also call straight away if your baby is moving less, you have any bleeding, fluid leaks from your vagina, or tightenings become regular. Pre-eclampsia signs, like a headache that won't shift, vision changes, pain under the ribs or sudden swelling, need checking the same day. Don't wait for your next appointment.

Is 34 weeks OK for delivery?

If there's a medical reason, yes, and most babies born now do well. But birth at 34 to 36 weeks is still preterm. In a US study of more than 19,000 babies born at 34 to 36 weeks, 36.5% were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, compared with 7.2% of babies born at term. Breathing problems were much more common: 10.5% of babies born at 34 weeks had respiratory distress syndrome, against 0.3% at 38 weeks. That's why an early birth isn't planned without a good reason.

Is a very active baby normal at 34 weeks?

Usually, yes. Feeling stronger movements as pregnancy goes on is the most common pattern, and it's reassuring. An analysis that pooled five studies found that stronger movements, regular bursts of vigorous movement, and hiccups were all linked to lower odds of stillbirth. What matters most is change. Call straight away if movements slow down or change their usual pattern. In the same analysis, a single, sudden burst of unusually strong movement was linked to higher risk, mainly at term, so mention that too.

Are cramps and back pain at 34 weeks signs of labour?

They can be, but often they aren't. Braxton Hicks tightenings and backache are both common now. Signs that labour may be starting include regular contractions that grow stronger, and a 'show' of pink, jelly-like mucus. Others are a heavy ache in your back, needing to poo as the baby's head pushes on your bowel, and your waters going. At 34 weeks, phone your maternity unit or provider if you notice any of these, or an unusual backache.

Why does my pelvis hurt when I walk at 34 weeks?

It may be pelvic girdle pain. The NHS says this joint problem touches up to one pregnant woman in five. The pelvic joints become stiff or move unevenly. This causes pain over the pubic bone, in the lower back, or between the vagina and anus. It's often worse when walking, on stairs, standing on one leg or turning over in bed. It isn't harmful to your baby. Tell your midwife or doctor, as a physiotherapist can help. Keeping your knees together as you get in or out of a car may ease it.

34 Weeks Pregnant

At 34 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 45 cm long from crown to heel, roughly the size of a cantaloupe melon. It lies curled up with its legs bent toward its chest. In boys, the testicles are moving down from the belly into the scrotum. Space is tight, but you should still feel your baby moving and see your bump change shape. Your due date is about 6 weeks away, though only 1 in 20 babies arrive on the day. This page covers the 34-week checkup, why your bump may drop, what a very active baby means, whether 34 weeks is safe for birth, and warning signs to know.

What trimester is 34 weeks?

Week 34 is in the third trimester, which runs from week 28 until birth. A due date is set at 40 weeks, 6 weeks from now.

Week 34 — third trimester, month 8; 6 weeks to go until your due date.
Baby's size — about a cantaloupe, ~45 cm.

Not sure it's 34 weeks? Try our due date calculator.

How big is your baby at 34 weeks?

Size of a

cantaloupe

Length, head to heel

~45 cm

Weight

~2146 g

Up from a pineapple last week to a cantaloupe now.

Baby development at week 34

The central nervous system and lungs are maturing well. Babies born now often do well, although many still need some time in special or intensive care. The vernix coating thickens to protect the skin, and the fetus's fat stores are filling out the limbs and face. The fingernails now reach the fingertips. About the size of a cantaloupe.

Your 34-week checkup

Most people don't have a scan at 34 weeks, but many have a routine check. In the UK, the 34-week visit includes a blood pressure check, a urine test and a bump measurement. The midwife also asks about your baby's movements and your mood, and talks through your birth choices and how to tell when labour has started. In the US, visits are usually every 2 weeks around now and become weekly near the end.

The blood pressure and urine checks look for early signs of pre-eclampsia, which you usually can't notice yourself. If your bump measures well ahead or behind your weeks, you may be sent for a growth scan. And if your placenta was still low at a 32-week scan, another scan is usually booked for about 36 weeks to help plan a safe birth.

Your body at 34 weeks

Tiredness and heaviness
Constipation
Braxton Hicks contractions

Your belly at 34 weeks

Some people notice their bump drop around now. This is called lightening: the baby's head moves down into the pelvis, often in stages, a process called engagement. With less pressure on your lungs and stomach, breathing may get easier and heartburn may ease. On the other hand, you may need to pee more often and find walking harder.

A bump that has dropped doesn't mean the birth is close. You'll probably still wait several weeks. Many people who have had a baby before don't feel a drop until labour starts. At 34 weeks, the bump usually measures 32 to 36 cm, and it can measure a little smaller once the baby has moved down. Your breasts may also leak small amounts of yellowish colostrum, the first milk.

Tips for week 34

Report any sudden vision changes, severe headache, or swelling promptly
Keep fibre and fluids up for constipation
Confirm your route and plan to the hospital or birth centre

34 Weeks Pregnant: your questions

What trimester is 34 weeks?: Week 34 is in the third trimester, which runs from week 28 until birth. A due date is set at 40 weeks, 6 weeks from now.
How many months is 34 weeks pregnant?: 34 weeks pregnant puts you in month 8 of pregnancy. Month 8 covers weeks 32 to 35. Providers count in weeks; months are approximate.
How big is the baby at 34 weeks?: At 34 weeks, the baby is about the size of a cantaloupe, roughly 45 cm long and around 2146 g. That is an average; healthy babies vary.
What symptoms should I not ignore at 34 weeks pregnant?: Itching that is intense, keeps you awake, or affects your palms and soles needs urgent help. It may be intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a liver problem that needs treatment. Also call straight away if your baby is moving less, you have any bleeding, fluid leaks from your vagina, or tightenings become regular. Pre-eclampsia signs, like a headache that won't shift, vision changes, pain under the ribs or sudden swelling, need checking the same day. Don't wait for your next appointment.
Is 34 weeks OK for delivery?: If there's a medical reason, yes, and most babies born now do well. But birth at 34 to 36 weeks is still preterm. In a US study of more than 19,000 babies born at 34 to 36 weeks, 36.5% were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, compared with 7.2% of babies born at term. Breathing problems were much more common: 10.5% of babies born at 34 weeks had respiratory distress syndrome, against 0.3% at 38 weeks. That's why an early birth isn't planned without a good reason.
Is a very active baby normal at 34 weeks?: Usually, yes. Feeling stronger movements as pregnancy goes on is the most common pattern, and it's reassuring. An analysis that pooled five studies found that stronger movements, regular bursts of vigorous movement, and hiccups were all linked to lower odds of stillbirth. What matters most is change. Call straight away if movements slow down or change their usual pattern. In the same analysis, a single, sudden burst of unusually strong movement was linked to higher risk, mainly at term, so mention that too.
Are cramps and back pain at 34 weeks signs of labour?: They can be, but often they aren't. Braxton Hicks tightenings and backache are both common now. Signs that labour may be starting include regular contractions that grow stronger, and a 'show' of pink, jelly-like mucus. Others are a heavy ache in your back, needing to poo as the baby's head pushes on your bowel, and your waters going. At 34 weeks, phone your maternity unit or provider if you notice any of these, or an unusual backache.
Why does my pelvis hurt when I walk at 34 weeks?: It may be pelvic girdle pain. The NHS says this joint problem touches up to one pregnant woman in five. The pelvic joints become stiff or move unevenly. This causes pain over the pubic bone, in the lower back, or between the vagina and anus. It's often worse when walking, on stairs, standing on one leg or turning over in bed. It isn't harmful to your baby. Tell your midwife or doctor, as a physiotherapist can help. Keeping your knees together as you get in or out of a car may ease it.

Useful at week 34

Massage in pregnancy — a gentle option for pelvic and back pain
Is Tylenol safe in pregnancy? — the usual first choice for aches and pains
Pregnancy due date calculator — your due date from the first day of your last period
Are Tums safe in pregnancy? — for heartburn before your bump drops
Pregnancy weeks to months — 34 weeks is in month 8 — the full chart

← All weeks: the full pregnancy week-by-week guide

Sources

Checked against the following public guidance on October 2, 2026. Advice can differ between countries; your doctor, nurse or midwife can apply it to you.