At 35 weeks pregnant, you’ll soon be entering the last month of pregnancy, and by now, you may find that the extra weight and the new shape of your body make you feel awkward and unwieldy. Give your body rest as much as possible!
Your baby is almost ready for birth. Labor is triggered by a protein the lungs create when they’re fully prepared, but some babies born at this point will be able to breathe without assistance.
Your Baby’s Development At 35 Weeks
The average fetus at this point will be just over 18 inches long and weigh about 5.5lb.
Most babies have already settled into the head-down position at this point. If your baby has not, your provider may talk to you at your next visit about options, which can include planning for a C-section or using a process to encourage the baby to flip into the correct position.
The baby’s kidneys and liver are developed and carrying out their functions (producing urine and processing waste), and the lungs are finishing up their development. The brain and nervous system are also continuing their development.
Mother’s Symptoms At 35 Weeks Pregnant
As you get closer to labor, some symptoms can become more intense, and new ones can pop up. In the coming weeks, you’ll see more signs that your body is readying for labor. Here are some of the symptoms that may be likely at this stage.
Weight & Breathing
Many women experience headaches, lightheadedness, or even dizziness this late in pregnancy. You may also feel overheated or fatigued easily.
Give your body plenty of rest breaks, and stay hydrated. Falls are serious business and are not worth the risk.
The further into your pregnancy you get, the more your weight may strain your back and legs. At 35 weeks pregnant, a belly band, a supportive bra, and sturdy, comfortable shoes can all help.
Contractions & Preterm Labor
If your baby comes before week 37, he is considered preterm. If you go into labor before week 37, your doctor has options that can help you hold onto your pregnancy for a few more weeks.
Contractions that become more frequent and intense are a sign of labor. Contractions that are infrequent or do not become more intense typically are not. If you notice contractions that seem to be labor, rather than Braxton Hicks or ‘practice’ contractions, call your doctor.
Before sending you to the hospital, your doctor will likely ask how frequent your contractions are or how many you have in an hour, so be prepared to answer those questions. You may also be asked if your water has broken or if you’ve seen any unusual vaginal discharge or bloody show.
If your water breaks, it’s time to head for the hospital. Your doctor may discuss options with you at this point to decide whether it’s safest for you and your baby to deliver early or try to maintain the pregnancy for a few more weeks. It’s best if your baby stays inside until you reach full term, but there is a higher risk of infection after your membranes rupture, so your medical team may help choose the best balance.
Severe nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, lower back pain, and cramps that feel like menstrual pain can also be signs that you are in labor. If you’re not sure, check in with your doctor!
Signs Of Potential Preeclampsia
During pregnancy, it’s not unusual to see some swelling due to higher blood volume and water retention. However, swelling that affects the face or chest, is severe or sudden, or is more prominent on one side of the body than the other is a concern and may indicate preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia can also cause severe headaches and vision changes, so report these to your doctor right away.
Digestion & Cravings
With only a few weeks left in your pregnancy, it may feel like space is at a premium. The results can include difficulty eating enough in a sitting to satisfy your body’s needs, heartburn and indigestion, constipation, and urinary incontinence, to name a few.
Most doctors advise changing one’s eating habits as the first line of defense. Smaller, more frequent meals with fewer spicy ‘trigger foods’ may help with getting enough to eat and reducing heartburn and indigestion. More fiber and water may help with constipation.
However, if symptoms require medication, antacids are typically considered safe in pregnancy (as long as they don’t contain aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate). Stool softeners are usually regarded as safe, too, but laxatives should be avoided unless your doctor says otherwise.
Remember to practice Kegel exercises if you’re dealing with urinary incontinence as you get closer to delivery! (And use a panyliner if necessary.)
Pain, Discomfort, & Cramping
With just over a month left in your pregnancy, you may be experiencing a lot of general discomfort in addition to several kinds of pain. It’s usually okay to take over-the-counter pain meds. (At the time of this writing, the most-recommended option is acetaminophin or paracetamol. NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, have been linked to kidney problems in the unborn baby. However, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor about the meds they recommend, because both time and individual circumstances may change this.)
Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome symptoms are common. Some women say that bananas help. The most commonly recommended treatments are exercise, massage, and heat. Some doctors may suggest magnesium and/or iron supplementation.
Abdominal pain or cramping could be due to several causes.
Round ligament pain can feel like a pulling or stabbing in the lower abdomen; pelvic girdle pain may be predominantly in the hips and lower back; and both Braxton Hicks and labor contractions may feel like cramping.
Resting in a position that doesn’t stress your body and using pillows to support your abdomen can help you determine whether to call your doctor. Labor does not stop when you lie down, but most benign discomforts will ease with rest, position change, and if needed, OTC pain meds. If you’re not sure, check with your doctor.
You may also have general aching – backache, sore feet and legs, etc – which is normal. Try to get enough rest, and take breaks when your body asks for them.
Skin & Breasts
Stretch marks are expected, but they can still feel physically uncomfortable. Sometimes, they itch or have a pulling sensation. A gentle lotion can increase your skin’s elasticity and soothe discomfort. There are lotions explicitly marketed for stretch marks, but you don’t have to break the bank—a basic cocoa butter lotion will do the job.
Veins may be visible on your chest, arms, legs, stomach, and other areas. Some of these may be spider veins, which are not concerning medically unless they’re warm to the touch, painful, or swelling. If you experience those symptoms, it could be a sign of a clot. In your legs, you may notice varicose veins. The recommended treatments may include compression socks, elevating your feet, or adding more walking to your exercise regime.
Insomnia, Nightmares, & Mood
Preparing to greet your little one is an exciting time! It can also be a stressful time.
You might be anxious about what to expect in labor and adjusting to parenting a newborn. You’re not alone! Seek out support groups, whether in-person or online, where you’ll find other moms sharing your experience.
You may also notice a nesting instinct kicking in. This could drive an urge to clean the house, sort baby clothes, start a garden, or do home repairs. Just remember to treat your body with gentleness and not overdo it!
Stress, along with hormonal changes, increased heart rate, and other physical changes, can affect sleep and promote more nightmares. Sleep hygiene practices, like keeping your room cool and dark, maintaining a routine, and cutting screens off a few hours before bedtime, can help. Keeping a dream journal or writing down your worries can also help.
If your mood or sleep disturbances are interfering with your well-being, check in with your doctor.
When To Contact Your Doctor
You should feel welcome to contact your doctor whenever you feel concerned about your or your baby’s health and well-being.
There are some specific scenarios in which you should always contact your doctor or seek medical care immediately.
Pre-Term Labor
If you think you are in labor before the 37-week mark, seek medical care. Your doctor can delay labor by using medications that stop contractions. If your water has broken, your care team may provide antibiotics and other treatment to prevent infections.
Labor contractions can be differentiated from Braxton Hicks in a few ways. Most importantly, labor contractions become increasingly intense and frequent over time. Most people report that labor contractions are painful, although the sensations vary from one pregnancy and person to another.
If your water breaks, you may recognize it by a gushing or a trickling. However, for some people, the rupture of membranes won’t happen until you’re further along in labor, and in some cases, your medical team may even use a tool called an amnihook (which looks similar to a crochet hook) to tear open the amniotic sac manually. Once your water has broken, labor may progress quickly, so you’ll need to head for the hospital.
Losing pieces of mucous plug, also called bloody show, is typically expected around the 37-week mark, but you could see bits earlier, especially after an internal exam. If you see much, though, and if it’s unprovoked, you should check in with your doctor, as it could mean your cervix is dilating ahead of time. However, it doesn’t always mean labor is imminent. It could still be weeks away.
Preeclampsia Signs
If you experience symptoms of preeclampsia, contact your doctor right away. This condition can endanger you and your baby, so your doctor will monitor you more closely. Possible signs of preeclampsia include severe swelling, swelling that affects the face or chest, severe headaches, and vision changes.
Reduced Fetal Movement
Your baby’s movement may vary, but you should contact your doctor if you notice reduced activity. Your provider will likely ask you about your last kick count, so be ready to describe the changes if possible.
Other Reasons To Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor for fevers over 100 degrees, severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, sudden or severe pain that doesn’t ease with a change of position or treatment, fainting or dizziness, cracked or bleeding nipples, and anything else that just sets off your internal alarms.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 35 Weeks?
Keep up the kick counts! If you haven’t started them yet, grab a piece of paper and pen and let us know how long it takes to feel ten kicks. Or, take time for an hour and see how many movements you feel. There are apps to track this if you prefer not to use the manual method!
If you haven’t already, it’s time to prepare a hospital pregnancy bag! Pack comfortable clothes for you and your baby to wear home. The hospital will provide diapers and wipes to use during your stay. Include toiletries for yourself. You may want socks or slippers for the hospital and a gown or top that facilitates nursing. Take any items for comfort during labor, like headphones or hair ties.
Get the car seat ready! Choose a car seat appropriate for newborns and learn how to install a car seat in your vehicle.
What To Look Forward To
At 35 weeks pregnant, it’s almost time to shift to weekly doctor appointments. This is usually done at 36 weeks.
You’re also getting very close to term! Baby is considered to be early term at 37 weeks.