34th Week of My Development

I now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. My fat layers — which will help regulate my body temperature once I'm born — are filling me out, making me rounder. My skin is also smoother than ever. My digestive and intestinal systems are fully – functioning now, although they will continue to mature until about the age of two. My first poo (meconium) is ready and waiting to be passed and my lungs are nearly fully developed.

If I were to be born now, I'd have a 95 per cent chance of surviving without any medical help – reassuring to know. 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 a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

My fingernails now reach the end of my fingertips, and once I am born you may be surprised at how long (and sharp!) they are.

The placenta reaches maturity and starts to age from this week onwards but it will still continue to do its job, providing me with nutrients and oxygen, until my birth.

Did you know that I'm weeing a lot now – up to a pint a day!. Amazing!!!

Friends see you soon!!!

Image from: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-34-weeks