There may be some symptoms like shortness of breath or heartburn. It is possible that you are gaining approximately 1 pound per week.
What can I do to take care of myself during this stage?
- You can eat a wide variety of healthy food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and fish. Drink liquids as directed. Ask your doctor how much liquid you should drink daily and which liquids work best for you. Keep caffeine intake to 200 mg per day. Limit your fish intake to two servings per week. Low-mercury fish such as shrimp, salmon, cod and canned light tuna are good options. Avoid mercury-rich fish such as shark, tilefish, king mackerel and swordfish.
- You can reduce heartburn by eating four to five small meals per day, instead of large meals. Avoid spicy foods.
- You can shrink simply by lying down and lifting your feet.
- Prenatal vitamins should be taken as directed. Folic acid is an essential vitamin that increases with pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins can provide you with some additional vitamins and minerals. Prenatal vitamins can also reduce the risk of some congenital disabilities.
- Talk to your healthcare provider regarding exercise. Moderate exercise can help keep you fit. Your healthcare provider can help you design an exercise program that is safe during pregnancy.
- Don’t smoke. It can increase your chances of miscarriage or other health problems during pregnancy. Smoking can lead to premature births or a lower birth weight. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is passed from your body through the placenta to your baby. It can cause brain damage in your baby and fetal alcohol syndrome (F.A.S.). F.A.S. F.A.S. refers to a group of conditions that cause mental, behavioral and growth problems.
- Before you start taking any medication, talk to your doctor. Talk to your healthcare provider before you take any medicine, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. While pregnant, do not use illegal street drugs such as cocaine or marijuana.
What safety tips can you give during pregnancy?
- Avoid saunas and hot tubs during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Saunas and hot tubs can raise baby’s temperature, increasing the chance of developing congenital disabilities.
- Toxoplasmosis is a condition that can be caused by eating raw meat, or being in close proximity to infected cat waste. This infection can lead to miscarriages and birth defects. After touching raw meat, wash your hands. Before you touch raw meat, make sure it is cooked thoroughly. Avoid unpasteurized and raw eggs. If you’re pregnant, use gloves and ask for help to clean the litter box.
What are the changes happening to my baby?
Your baby could weigh in excess of 5 pounds by 34 weeks. From the top of your head to the bottom (baby’s bottom), your baby will measure 12 1/2 inches. Your baby is growing about 1/2 pound per week. Your baby’s eyes are now open and closed. This is when your baby’s kicks, and movements, are more powerful.
What should I know about prenatal care?
Your healthcare provider will assess your blood pressure, weight, and other health issues. The following may be required:
- To check for protein and sugar, a urine test can also be performed. These could be signs of infection or gestational diabetes. Preeclampsia can also indicate high levels of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can occur in the last week of pregnancy, or any time after that. This can lead to high blood pressure and damage to your kidneys and other organs.
- An assessment for gestational diabetes may be performed. A 1-step or 2-step oral glucose tolerability test (O.G.T.T.) may be ordered by your healthcare provider. ).
- 1-step O.G.T.T. After fasting for eight hours, your blood sugar levels will be checked. The glucose drink will be provided to you. After you have finished the drink, your glucose level will be checked again.
- 2-step O.G.T.T. The first part of the O.G.T.T. is not required to be fasted. The glucose drink can be taken at any hour of the day. One hour later, your blood sugar level is checked. A second test will be ordered if your blood sugar level is above a set limit. Your blood sugar level and fasting will be checked. The glucose drink will be served to you. After you have finished the glucose drink, your blood will be tested once more, every 2 hours and every 3 hours thereafter.
- Your healthcare provider may recommend a Tdap vaccination .
- To measure your baby’s growth, the fundal height is measured from your uterus. This number is often the same number as how many weeks you have been pregnant. Your healthcare provider might also examine your baby’s condition.
- The baby’s heart beat is recorded.
When do I need immediate medical attention?
- A severe headache persists.
- Your vision has changed in a new or more severe way, such as blurred vision or spotted vision.
- New or increased swelling in your hands or face.
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
- You feel your water breaking or warm water trickling out of your vagina.
When do I need to call my obstetrician.
- More than 5 contractions per hour.
- Any changes in the movements of your baby are obvious
- Abdominal cramps, pressure or tightening.
- There is a change in the vaginal discharge.
- You are experiencing fever or chills.
- Vaginal pain, itching, or burning.
- Your vaginal discharge is yellow, green, white or foul-smelling.
- Urinary problems such as pain, burning, and less urine than normal.
- If you have any questions or concerns regarding your care or condition,
Care Agreement
You have the right and obligation to plan your healthcare. Find out about your condition and the treatment options. Talk to your healthcare providers about the treatment options available to you. You have the right not to accept treatment. This information is intended to be an educational tool only. This information is not meant to be used as medical advice regarding individual conditions or treatments. To determine if a medical regimen is safe and effective, consult your pharmacist or doctor before you start.
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Read more about Pregnancy at 31-34 Weeks
Care guides
- Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy
- How to Choose Between Vaginal Birth After C-Section (Vbac), or Repeat C-Section
- First Trimester Pregnancy
- Gestational Diabetes Screen
- Intimate Partner Abuse in Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy from 11 to 14 Weeks
Additional information
You should always consult your healthcare provider before you use the information on this page.
