Do You Know What’s Happening to Your Body and Baby This Week? What are the Stages of Labor?
As you approach the final weeks of pregnancy, it’s important to prepare both physically and emotionally for labor and birth. Understanding the different stages of labor will help you stay calm and confident when the time comes.
Stage One: Early and Active Labor
Labor begins with real contractions. These start off mild and irregular, every 20 to 30 minutes, and feel like strong menstrual cramps or tightening in the lower belly or back.
As labor progresses, the contractions become more regular and stronger, coming every 10–15 minutes, then every 5 minutes.
At the end of this stage, the cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm in diameter. Most women head to the hospital once contractions become regular and occur every 5 minutes; this marks the start of active labor.
Stage Two: Pushing and Delivery
Once your cervix is fully dilated, it’s time to push. Contractions now come every 2–3 minutes and last about 60–90 seconds. You’ll feel a strong urge to push as your baby moves through the birth canal. The pushing stage usually lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours and ends with the birth of the baby.
Stage Three: Delivering the Placenta
This is the shortest stage of delivery and starts after the baby is born and ends with the delivery of the placenta.
It usually takes between 5 to 30 minutes, along with the natural contractions that help shrink the uterus.
What’s happening to your body now?
At week 34, the top of your uterus is about 14 cm above your belly button. Your belly size (from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone) usually measures between 32 and 36 cm.
Amniotic fluid levels are at their highest between weeks 34 and 36. Starting from week 37, the amount gradually decreases to give the baby more room to move.
You may notice your baby’s movements feel different. That’s normal, space is getting tighter and narrower, but movement should still be noticeable.
Some doctors may suggest a biophysical profile (BPP) this week. This test combines an ultrasound and a 20-minute heart rate monitoring session to check your baby’s health and reaction to stimuli.
You might also have a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test done. This is a swab from your vagina and rectum. If the result is positive, you’ll receive antibiotics during labor to prevent passing the bacteria to your baby.
Tips for Week 34
Perineal Massage
Perineal massage helps prepare the area between the vagina and anus for vaginal birth. It softens and stretches the tissues to reduce the chance of tearing or needing a surgical cut during labor.
It’s preferable to start around week 34, twice a week. You can do it yourself or ask your partner to help. Benefits include:
- Lower risk of perineal tears
- Less pain after birth
- Reduced chances of postpartum incontinence
How to do it:
- Use a natural oil like almond or vitamin E oil.
- Sit in a comfortable position, insert your thumbs gently, and press downward toward the anus, then move your thumbs outward in a U-shape.
- Massage the area for a few minutes.
Baby’s Position
If your baby is breech (bottom or feet first), ask your doctor about safe ways to encourage your baby to turn head-down. These may include:
- Pelvic tilts
- Kneeling with your hips apart and chest low to the floor
- Gentle prenatal yoga positions
- A traditional Chinese technique called moxibustion
Always get your doctor’s approval before trying any of these
Improving Sleep
Sleeping can get harder in the last weeks of pregnancy. Try these tips:
- Avoid screens before bed, as blue light affects your body’s natural sleep rhythm.
- Eat your last meal at least three hours before bedtime to help digestion.
- Do gentle stretches or prenatal yoga before bed to ease discomfort.
- Try reading a book instead of scrolling on your phone or watching TV.