34 weeks pregnant
Time to pack your hospital bag.
In short
At 34 weeks your baby is about the size of a mini watermelon, around 45.2 cm long and 2.31 kg. Time to pack your hospital bag.
- Third trimester, week 34 of about 40.
- Learn your Eircode so an ambulance can find you quickly if needed.
Your baby is gaining weight quickly now. In boys, the testicles are starting to move down from the tummy into the scrotum.
How big is my baby at 34 weeks?
At 34 weeks your baby is about the size of a mini watermelon, around 45.2 cm long and 2.31 kg. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.
What is my baby doing at 34 weeks?
- Your baby is gaining weight quickly now.
- In boys, the testicles are starting to move down from the tummy into the scrotum.
- Space is tight, but your baby can still change position and you may see movements on the surface of your bump.
- Your baby may start to move down into your pelvis, which is called engaging.
What changes for me at 34 weeks pregnant?
- If your baby moves lower, breathing and heartburn may ease a little but you may need to pee more often.
- Walking can feel harder as your bump gets heavier.
- Swollen ankles and backache are common.
What is a good tip for this week?
Pack your hospital bag in plenty of time. Have a car seat ready for the journey home, though it only comes into the hospital on the day you leave.
What can a partner do this week?
Plan the route to the hospital and check the parking arrangements in advance.
What should I know in Ireland at 34 weeks?
- Learn your Eircode so an ambulance can find you quickly if needed.
- Keep your maternity unit's phone number saved on your phone and on display at home.
When to get help: If your baby's movements slow down, change or stop, contact your maternity unit straight away and don't use a home doppler or app to check. HSE: when to get help.
Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.
Sources and guidance
This page is written to be consistent with the official guidance below. It is general information for parents in Ireland, not medical advice. Links checked 23 September 2026.