35 weeks pregnant: lady holding pregnant big belly

Congratulations! You are 35 weeks pregnant and at this remarkable stage, your baby is diligently gearing up for their grand debut in the world! Now that your baby is almost fully developed, you must start preparing for the arrival. This article will take you through the fascinating developments happening inside your womb, the vital support you may need, and offers insights to ensure you and your baby are fully prepared for the upcoming adventure. So let discuss:

 

You are probably wondering what is happening to your baby when you’re 35 weeks pregnant. At this time, your baby is busy getting ready for birth and life outside your womb. It is important that you continue getting proper nutrition to keep your little one healthy for the big day.

Woman at 35 weeks pregnant with husband, holding her baby bump

 

35 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect?

At this stage your baby’s heart, blood vessels, muscles, and bones are fully developed.1 Your little one’s body is beautifully taking shape for birth. Even the skin is becoming less wrinkled as the fat beneath it begins to increase1.

At week 35 of pregnancy, your baby’s breathing and digestive systems are completely formed and ready for the big day2, and the immune system is growing stronger with your help. Your baby now even has sleeping patterns.

At about the size of a honeydew melon, your baby measures about 18.25 inches from head to toe (46.2 centimetres)3.

 

Mental Preparation at 35 Weeks Pregnant

With your delivery date just a few weeks away, it is normal to feel worried about motherhood. These pointers may help you recognise if you’re experiencing something more serious, like prenatal depression:

  • Know the signs. They vary from person to person, but signs of prenatal depression include experiencing severe mood swings, overwhelming sadness, insomnia, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness4.

  • It is also important to talk things over with your doctor or a therapist if you feel overwhelmed. While doctors are uncertain about the precise cause of prepartum or prenatal depression, it is suspected to be linked to hormonal shifts10.

  • Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation may be a contributing factor to depression5.

     

 

Things to Avoid at 35 Weeks Pregnant

Moms, be sure to get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep may trigger less severe but other troubling symptoms such as pregnancy headaches6. If you can’t get adequate sleep at night, catch up on lost sleep with a daytime nap.

To support your baby’s brain development at 35 weeks pregnant, continue to eat foods rich in DHA and other essential nutrients like iron, zinc, choline, and folate7. These nutrients are important to support the rapid and complex growth of your baby’s brain, which is central to its IQ and EQ development.

Did you know that your little one is already learning even before birth8? Support this ability by continuing to stimulate the senses through speech, music, and touch. Bonding with your baby is how they get to know the world.

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Frequently Asked Questions on 35 Weeks Pregnant

It is indeed an exciting time, and you probably have a lot of questions. Here, we share a few more commonly asked questions from expectant mothers.

  1. Can I give birth at 35 weeks pregnant?

While your baby looks fully formed, a birth at 35 weeks pregnant is early. If born at this time, your baby may need special care at the hospital as labour that occurring before 37 weeks is considered premature, medically.2

  1. What to expect: Baby movement at 35 weeks pregnant

Your little one will be full of energy and activity. You should be able to feel your baby move now and up until your delivery. Recognise the pattern and if you notice any change in activity – for instance if there is not much movement, do call your doctor to make sure that your baby is well11.

  1. What is the safest sleep position for women who are 35 weeks pregnant?

Sleep is an important part of health, and expectant moms need their rest! With a bulging belly, it may be hard to find a comfortable position. But it’s highly recommended that, when you reach your third trimester, you sleep on your side. This is considered a safe sleeping position as research has shown that it helps prevent stillbirth.9

 

 

Related articles:

  1. Preparing for Childbirth - Things no one tells you

  2. Cesarean Section Recovery: Your Body After Birth

  3. Different Types of Birth

  4. Traditional Postpartum Confinement Practices

  5. Your baby's development in Week 36

 

Expert Resource:
Dr Veena Angle
MBBS, MD Microbiology (India)

References:

  1. Week 35. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/3rd-trimester/week-35/#look-like.

  2. You and your baby at 33-36 weeks pregnant. (2017, March 31). Retrieved April 10, 2017, from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-weeks-33-34-35-36.aspx, Retrieved September 22, 2023.

  3. Week 35, Better Health. Start to Life. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/3rd-trimester/week-35/#whats-happening.

  4. Perinatal Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2017, from http://www.kkh.com.sg/HealthPedia/Pages/PregnancyMentalWellnessPerinatalDepression.aspx.

  5. Understanding Sleep Deprivation and New Parenthood (2023, August). Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/parents.

  6. What can I do about headaches during pregnancy? I'd rather not take medication. (2022, August 10). Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/headaches-during-pregnancy/faq-20058265.

  7. Georgieff, M. K. (2007) Nutrition and the developing brain: nutrient priorities and measurement. National Library of Medicine. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(2):614S-620S. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17284765/.

  8. Dirix, C.E., Nijhuis, J.G., Jongsma, H.W., and Hornstra, G. (2009) Aspects of fetal learning and memory. Child Development, 80(4), 1251–1258. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19630906/.

  9. 35 weeks pregnant: baby’s development, sore ribs and sleeping on your side. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/pregnancy-week-by-week/35-weeks-pregnant.

  10. Prenatal Depression. 2023. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22984-prenatal-depression#symptoms-and-causes.

  11. Baby movements during pregnancy.April 2022. Pregnancy, baby and birth. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/baby-movements-during-pregnancy.