Update on Baby Horak - 34 Weeks Pregnant

This week our baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. At this stage in fetal development, our baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if she has been on the shorter side.  Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut. 

The level of amniotic fluid in my uterus has reached its maximum this week, making it likely that I have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why I've been feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows!

Our baby is acting more and more like a baby, with her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping our baby differentiate between day and night.

Our baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of her own immune system that (along with antibodies from me) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.

Now that our baby's brain has formed billions of neurons, it must accomplish the even more complex feat of hooking the neurons and synapses together. Our baby's brain is forming trillions of connections, making it possible for her to learn in the womb. All of this brain development may be the reason that our baby sleeps frequently at this stage. She may even be dreaming—her eyes dart around rapidly just as an adult's might in REM sleep. A child's development is in no way complete at birth. In the first year after birth, a baby's brain triples in size and becomes three-quarters of its adult size.

Our baby's 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.

And...here's my 34-week photo!  ;)