What should I be feeling at 35 weeks pregnant? Is it OK to deliver at 35 weeks? What should you avoid at 35 weeks pregnant?
One month to go! At week 35 of pregnancy, your little one is slowly but steadily growing and maturing to ensure that he will be healthy once he comes out of your womb! Read on to learn more about the final month of your third trimester.
35 Weeks Pregnant in Months
At 35 weeks pregnant, you are approximately 8 months and 3 weeks into your pregnancy. You’re in the final stretch of the third trimester, eagerly awaiting your baby’s arrival.
Pregnancy Week 35: Baby
Your baby is still growing during pregnancy week 35! At this point, you may feel like your belly can barely contain their movements. Your baby will continue to grow and develop at an incredible rate over the next few weeks.
Their skin will continue to be translucent and covered in red blood vessels, which help regulate their body temperature. You’ll also notice that their head is becoming more rounded as it continues to grow in proportion with the rest of their body.
Baby’s Growth
At 35 weeks, your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon. He should be at least 32 cm long and weighs about 2.55 kg.
At this point, your baby is growing quickly! They are growing and developing at an incredible rate, and it’s hard to believe they were once just a tiny little ball!
Your baby is developing their lungs, so they can breathe on their own when they’re born. If you have an ultrasound at this stage, you may see your baby sucking their thumb!
The placenta works hard to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs from food. It also helps keep harmful substances out of your bloodstream so that you and your baby are protected from infection.
They are developing hair and fingernails, and their organs continue to mature. Their eyes are almost fully formed, and they can respond to light by moving away from it. Your baby’s bones are hardening. Your baby is getting ready to breathe on their own!
The baby’s body has developed enough to be able to move around. The baby is also starting to increase its brain power.
The baby’s heart is now fully formed and beating like a normal heart. The baby also has hair follicles on its skin are growing.
Image courtesy: Pixabay
Baby’s Development
Is the baby fully developed at 35 weeks?
By 35 weeks, most of your baby’s major organs and systems are developed. However, while the baby’s lungs and brain are well on their way, they may not be fully matured. The baby is considered “late preterm” at this stage and may need extra care if born prematurely.
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you’ll learn that:
- Your baby is continuously putting on the necessary weight; their body constitutes 15 per cent of fat.
- They kick more often now.
- Their fully developed kidneys and liver are ready to process some of their body’s waste products.
- Their brainpower is developing at a tremendous rate.
- By week 35 of pregnancy, most babies are already positioned with their heads facing down toward your cervix, getting ready for their exit in your womb.
Baby’s Hearing
At 35 weeks pregnant, your baby can hear. At this stage of development, your baby’s hearing is fully developed, and the sounds they hear help them to develop motor skills and language. They may even start to respond emotionally to what they hear!
The thing about babies is that they’re like sponges—they soak up everything that happens around them, whether we realise it or not. If you’ve ever seen a baby on a plane or in a restaurant. They’re absorbing all the sounds around them and trying to make sense of them.
Human ears can filter out the noises we don’t need and focus on the ones we do. But babies’ brains aren’t quite ready to do this yet, so they take in every sound they hear—and as they grow older and more used to hearing certain sounds (like their mommy), they’ll start filtering out unnecessary noise. This can help them learn a language faster later on!
Baby’s Teeth
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby’s teeth are formed inside their gums and have started to grow. But they won’t usually erupt into their mouth until after birth! Most babies don’t get their first tooth until they’re between 4 and 7 months old.
Baby’s Movement
I think the baby’s kicking!
Pregnancy week 35 is a special time because you’re most likely to start feeling your baby move. You’ll notice that your tummy has gotten a lot bigger and rounder, but what you’re feeling is your baby moving around inside of you.
You might feel little flutters, jabs, or even a rhythmic thumping—this is your developing baby getting ready for birth! If you’ve been feeling movement for a while but haven’t told anyone yet, this week is a good time to break the news.
Your body works hard to ensure your baby’s ready for life outside the womb. Keep up those prenatal exercises, eat well, and take care of yourself so you can give birth in the healthiest way possible!
Is it okay to deliver at 35 weeks?
Ideally, it’s best to wait until at least 39 weeks for a full-term pregnancy, as this allows the baby more time to develop and reduces the risk of complications. If there are medical concerns or complications, your healthcare provider will advise on the best course of action
35 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
Image Source: iStock
You may start to notice a few changes in your own body too! For example, your uterus has grown so large that it might feel like a hard ball under your ribs or groin area. Your breasts may feel sore or tender as well—and if you’re breastfeeding, they may leak milk or produce colostrum (the first type of breast milk created by mothers).
At 35 weeks pregnant, you might also feel an increased urge to urinate because of increased pressure on your bladder from your growing uterus. This can cause some discomfort until you get used to it!
Your uterus has grown larger than it was at this point in your last pregnancy, which is why you may feel more tired and sore than before. Your body is working hard to carry your baby around every day, so congratulations—you’re doing a great job!
35 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should I be feeling at 35 weeks pregnant?
At 35 weeks, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation as your due date approaches. Physically, you may experience discomfort, including backaches, heartburn, and swelling in the extremities. Braxton Hicks contractions can also become more noticeable.
Emotionally, nesting instincts may kick in as you prepare for your baby’s arrival. It’s entirely normal to have a wide range of emotions during this phase, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your support team if you have any concerns.
One month left to go, and most of the unwanted pregnancy symptoms will bid you adieu. Meanwhile, here’s what you may be feeling at 35 weeks pregnant:
- Your ever-expanding uterus reaches up to your rib cage, making it harder for you to breathe sometimes.
- At 35 weeks pregnant, heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems are keeping you busy.
- The frequent trips to the bathroom haven’t stopped. You may also experience a lack of bladder control when you cough, sneeze or even laugh.
- You may encounter occasional headaches.
- Skin rashes are another problem that may trouble you.
- You may also notice your gums bleeding.
- It is possible that you haven’t stopped feeling clumsy. Aside from your centre of gravity shifting, your ligaments are also relaxed as they prepare for labour.
- You may experience some mild contractions—Braxton Hicks contractions—as your body prepares itself for labour.
Maternal Weight Gain
Your weight gain should be between 1 and 3 pounds this week, depending on how much you’ve gained so far during your pregnancy. If you have yet to gain much weight, don’t worry! You still have time to do so before the end of your pregnancy.
If you’re not feeling very hungry this week, it’s okay! You may find yourself eating less because of morning sickness or fatigue—but don’t worry: Your body still needs all the nutrients it can get to support your baby’s growth!
Your doctor or midwife will give you specific guidelines for how much weight to gain during pregnancy. This is based on factors like size and pre-pregnancy weight, whether this is your first pregnancy, etc. The recommended weight gain varies from woman to woman, but it’s generally between 25 and 40 pounds.
Don’t stress if you’re not at the exact number—it’s okay if it’s more or less than what your doctor said! If you’re concerned about gaining too much weight during pregnancy or not gaining enough (and feeling ill as a result), talk with your doctor or midwife about ways they can help ensure that you’re getting enough nutrients while still staying within healthy limits.
Nutrition
You may be feeling like you’re getting used to being pregnant by now. Your belly is bigger, your breasts are fuller and heavier, and the little one inside is getting much more active.
It’s important to remember that your body is still changing, so you must make some changes to your diet. Here are some of the things you should be doing right now:
- Include more fibre in your diet. Fibre helps keep you regular, which can help prevent haemorrhoids (swollen veins in the anus). It also helps with digestion and can reduce constipation during pregnancy. Foods high in fibre include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes (beans), nuts, seeds, and bran cereals.
- Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods. Calcium helps your baby’s bones develop properly—healthy bones are important for your baby’s future health! Milk products are a good source of calcium, and so are dark leafy greens like spinach and kale (make sure they don’t have any added ingredients). It would help if you also took a calcium supplement daily while pregnant (check with your doctor first!).
Image Source: iStock
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 35 Weeks Pregnant
- Now is the right time to get a vaginal and rectal culture done to check for any growth of bacteria. Ask your gynaecologist about it.
- Practice Kegel exercises, as they will strengthen your pelvic muscles for delivery.
- Remember to keep yourself hydrated during the day.
- Stick to healthy eating.
- As you are nearing D-day, you may be getting nervous. Soothe yourself by diverting your mind to things that you love to do. Find pregnancy relaxation tips here.
- We told you this sooner, but we’ll say it again. Get a lot of rest while you still can. You’ll get what we mean once your baby is born.
- Wash, fold, and put away all your baby’s clothes. These activities will help keep your mind off things.
- Your hospital bag should be packed and ready to go.
- If you haven’t, create a birth plan long before the first contractions hit! This way, you’ll know whom to call and where to go when you enter labour. That said, you should have programmed important numbers in your mobile phone.
- Join the Baby Bonus Scheme.
What should you avoid at 35 weeks pregnant?
At 35 weeks pregnant, it’s essential to avoid any activities or substances that could harm your baby or put undue stress on your body. This includes heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, smoking, alcohol, and certain medications. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and get plenty of rest.
In the home stretch of your pregnancy at 35 weeks, it’s vital to trust your instincts. If something feels off or different, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call your doctor. Whether it’s unusual pain, changes in your baby’s movements, or concerns about your health, your healthcare provider is there to support you.
Remember, no question or worry is too small – your peace of mind is essential. So, if you ever find yourself pondering, “Should I call the doctor?” – the answer is yes, you absolutely should. They’re your partner in this incredible journey towards welcoming your little one into the world, and together, you’ve got this!
Your next week: 36 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 34 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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