35 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms, Baby Development, Belly Size & More!

At Week 35, your baby weighs nearly 2500 grams and is well over 18 inches long. The space in the uterus is now getting pretty cramped, so your baby has hardly any room to move. Which means, no more somersaulting for your baby! Your baby’s week by week growth is up to the mark! To make use of whatever space is available, your little one will now try to fit her/his head in the pelvic cavity. This is also due to the fact that the head is heavy and tends to move towards gravity. Once in head down position, the chances of your baby turning are very low. One of the major considerations for a vaginal birth is sorted with the engagement of the head. Your baby’s lungs are also mature and if s/he is born now, it will be possible for her/him to easily adapt to life outside the womb. Your baby is going to spend the next few weeks in your womb just adding to the fat layers. From this week onwards, you will see your doctor every week.  Your doctor will check your abdomen more keenly to ascertain the baby’s exact position. An ultrasound is not necessary to know the position of the baby. Most birthing facilities might require you to take some blood tests like HIV and other infectious diseases as these could get transmitted to the caregivers during birth. So, let’s get to know about what are the pregnancy symptoms that denote 35 weeks pregnant and how your baby looks during 35 weeks. So, keep on reading to find out.

35 Week Fetus Development

Your baby is currently floating in a quart of amniotic fluid. Now it will slowly get smaller till you give birth. Her liver can now process some waste items, and her kidneys are now fully grown. Her basic physical maturation is largely over at this point.

How Big Is A Baby During 35 Weeks Pregnancy?

Your baby is standing tall this week at about 18 inches. 

35 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

As your baby starts to put more pressure on the pelvis, you might experience some back pain and if your baby’s back is pressed against yours, then the backache will be more pronounced. A gentle back massage can work wonders to give you some relief. Get your partner to give you one! You might also notice some swelling especially around the ankles and feet. If your blood pressure is normal, then this is just due to the restricted blood flow to and from your legs. Raise your feet up against a surface now and then, for relief.

Consider appointing a doula (a birth support professional) to be with you during labour and birth. The doula is trained to guide you with positions, breathing and she can also offer emotional support. A doula however, does not give medical advice and will not make decisions for you. Having a doula at the birth is known to reduce interventions and also the C-section rate by almost half.

Physical Development

You might be feeling huge and a bit worried about losing weight post delivery. Remember, weight loss post pregnancy has to be gradual. Vigorous exercise or dieting after delivery does more harm than good.

Emotional Development

Make sure you spend some time with your partner as birth approaches. The poor dads-to-be and their feelings are often ignored during pregnancy as all the fuss is about the mum!

Many expectant dads are nervous about being able to make it to the hospital on time. Others might be worried about holding up while watching their wife in so much pain. Few might also be anxious about the new responsibility. So reassure each other that you will take this on together and that should help you with the performance anxiety!

Your Body At 35 Weeks Pregnancy

You should feel movements as strongly and regularly.

35 Weeks Pregnant Belly Picture

35 Weeks Fetus Pictures 

35 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound: Do You Need It?

A Gynaecological Transvaginal Ultrasound (GTU) is a scan which is performed during 35 weeks of pregnancy that looks at your reproductive organs and the surrounding pelvic area.

Self Care Tips And Checklists For 35 Weeks Pregnancy

Here are some self care tips and checklists for leading the healthiest life possible during your 35 weeks pregnancy. 

• Prepare your birth plan during this third trimester phase of your pregnancy and make an appointment for GTU scan checkup.
• Before you go to bed, do some soothing bedtime routine like light reading, take a warm bath, meditation or relaxation exercises to prevent yourself from pregnancy insomnia.
• While you’re eating, do your body a favour and eat slowly. The more you chew, the less work your stomach has to do.
• Do a skincare routine at least 3-4 days a week to make your skin glowing and supple.

• You may believe that eating a strawberry yoghurt is healthy, but many fruit-filled yoghurts really contain almost as much sugar as a tiny candy bar. Admittedly, part of this sugar is obtained naturally from the fruit and milk. On the label, search for yoghourts that have no more than 20 grams of sugar per serving, ideally even fewer (as low as 10 to 12 grams).
• Treat yourself. You deserve some “me time” because you’ve been working so hard.

FAQs

Is 35 weeks good for delivery?

Labour that starts before 37 weeks is considered premature.

Is 35 weeks considered 9 months pregnant?

No, 35 weeks is considered 8 months pregnant.

What things to avoid at 35 weeks pregnant?

Drinking alcohol, eating junk food, taking stress, consuming caffeine, and smoking. 

Is 35 weeks heavily pregnant?

Yes.

When should you pack your hospital bag?

Week 36 of your pregnancy would be the ideal time to pack your hospital bag.

Why does it hurt to walk at 35 weeks pregnant?

If your normal walk has become a bit of a waddle, welcome to the club! If your baby “drops” into your pelvis, you will feel pressure on your pelvis, hips, and bladder.

Takeaway

In your pregnancy week by week check-ups, an ultrasound may show a single loop around the baby’s neck, there is no cause for concern and you will probably be able to deliver normally (vaginal birth). However, if your doctor finds that there are multiple loops around the neck or knots in the cord, then she/he may recommend a surgical birth. Also, if you want to know about 36 weeks pregnant symptoms then check out this one and get all your answers. But if you aren’t still pregnant and want to conceive but unsure about when you can be intimate with your partner after or before your menstruation, then a pregnancy calculator can help in assisting you with the best date for the intimacy. Know more about it here!