With 35 weeks of pregnancy, 8 and a half months of gestation have already passed (corresponding to the third trimester), and the woman is in the final stretch of pregnancy. It is possible that in these last weeks, the pregnant woman may feel somewhat more restless and nervous, as the moment of childbirth and having her baby in her arms approaches.
Therefore, week 35 of gestation can be a good time to start preparing the bag to take to the hospital when the time comes. This will provide the pregnant woman with peace of mind and a greater sense of control, as she wants to have everything ready as soon as possible for the baby's arrival.
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What is the baby like at 35 weeks of pregnancy?
The baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy measures about 45-46 cm in length and weighs around 2.3-2.5 kg. However, in the remaining 5 weeks of gestation, the baby will continue growing, gaining weight, and accumulating fat, which will help regulate temperature after birth.
However, one of the most important aspects of week 35 of pregnancy is that, in the case of premature birth, it is very likely that the baby can breathe independently outside the womb. This is due to the degree of lung maturation and sufficient production of surfactant.
Surfactant is a substance found in the lung alveoli and is necessary for the baby to adapt well to extrauterine breathing, preventing lung collapse.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that week 35 of pregnancy is a good time for birth. If labor occurs at 35 weeks of gestation, the baby will be premature. Even so, it is considered mild prematurity, which involves fewer risks than if the baby were born, for example, at 32 weeks.
Symptoms at 35 weeks of pregnancy
At 35 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother may feel strong pressure in the pelvic area because the baby may start to settle and engage between the pelvic bones. This discomfort may even extend to the vagina in the form of cramps. Additionally, this same pressure will make the pregnant woman feel the need to urinate frequently.
Constipation may be more pronounced at 35 weeks of gestation, potentially leading to hemorrhoids. To prevent this, it is important for the pregnant woman to drink enough water and consume fiber-rich foods.
Also, other symptoms and discomforts that the pregnant woman may have had before week 35 can increase. These include:
- Back pain.
- Headaches.
- Heartburn and acid reflux.
- Fluid retention and pain or swelling in legs and feet.
- Stretch marks on the abdomen and breasts.
- Varicose veins.
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping.
- Braxton Hicks contractions, causing the pregnant woman to feel the belly hard. These contractions are different from labor because they do not occur at regular intervals or increase in intensity. If the expectant mother experiences regular contractions, it could be a sign of preterm labor.
On the other hand, due to the baby's size, there is less space to move. Therefore, the woman may notice fewer fetal movements at week 35, although these may be stronger due to the limited space.
Check-ups and tests at 35 weeks of pregnancy
At 35 weeks of pregnancy, the gynecologist may schedule the third-trimester check-up. During this visit, the following will be carried out:
- Ultrasound to see (among other things) if the baby is already positioned (fetal position or presentation) and the status of the placenta.
- Blood and urine tests for the third trimester.
- Weight monitoring.
- Evaluation of maternal blood pressure to monitor for preeclampsia.
- Coagulation tests for anesthesia.
Additionally, usually between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy, the group B streptococcus screening is performed. This is a test in which the gynecologist or midwife takes a vaginal-rectal swab quickly and painlessly to check for the presence of this bacterium.
This streptococcus can be present in adults without symptoms. However, if the mother has it and transmits it to the baby during delivery, it can cause complications such as respiratory conditions (pneumonia), meningitis, or blood infections.
Therefore, if the mother tests positive for streptococcus, intravenous antibiotics will be administered during labor to prevent these risks to the baby.
Recommendations for week 35 of pregnancy
At 35 weeks of pregnancy, it is advisable to consider the following recommendations:
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet that provides all necessary nutrients. At this stage, iron and calcium intake are especially important.
- Eat small amounts several times a day.
- Stay well hydrated.
- Do pregnancy-safe exercise suitable for the advanced stage of gestation, unless the specialist advises otherwise. Even walking can be a good option.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing and cotton underwear (more breathable).
These are general healthy habits that can be applied to any stage of pregnancy.
Additionally, as the time for childbirth approaches, the pregnant woman may start preparing the hospital bag calmly.
FAQs from users
Is bleeding normal at 35 weeks of pregnancy?
No, if there is bleeding at 35 weeks of pregnancy, which corresponds to the third trimester, you should see a specialist as soon as possible.
This is because bleeding could indicate a complication such as premature placental detachment.
Does the baby move a lot at 35 weeks of pregnancy?
The baby moves at 35 weeks of pregnancy and remains active. However, due to the limited space in the uterus because of the baby's size, the pregnant woman may notice fewer movements, although they may feel stronger.
Can there be contractions at 35 weeks of pregnancy?
Yes, especially from the second half of pregnancy, the expectant mother may notice Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions seem to play a preparatory role for labor and do not mean that the woman is going to give birth.
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, sporadic (do not follow a pattern), and do not increase in intensity. If the pregnant woman notices regular contractions that follow a pattern and become stronger, she should see a specialist as soon as possible, as these may be labor contractions.
Recommended readings
If you are interested in reading about what happens in the next week of gestation, you can visit the following link: 36th week of pregnancy: changes in the baby and symptoms in the mother.
If you are concerned about labor and want to know more, we recommend reading this article: Childbirth: preparation, types and possible complications.
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References
Escobar GJ, Clark RH, Greene JD. Short-term outcomes of infants born at 35 and 36 weeks gestation: we need to ask more questions. Semin Perinatol. 2006 Feb;30(1):28-33. (View)
Fadigas C, Saiid Y, Gonzalez R, Poon LC, Nicolaides KH. Prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates: screening by fetal biometry at 35-37 weeks. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2015 May;45(5):559-65. (View)
Ficara A, Syngelaki A, Hammami A, Akolekar R, Nicolaides KH. Value of routine ultrasound examination at 35-37 weeks' gestation in diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jan;55(1):75-80. (View)
Khalil MR, Thorsen PB, Møller JK, Uldbjerg N. Number of colony forming units in urine at 35-37 weeks' gestation as predictor of the vaginal load of Group B Streptococci at birth. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2018 Apr;223:68-71. (View)
Mitha A, Chen R, Altman M, Johansson S, Stephansson O, Bolk J. Neonatal Morbidities in Infants Born Late Preterm at 35-36 Weeks of Gestation: A Swedish Nationwide Population-based Study. J Pediatr. 2021 Jun;233:43-50.e5. (View)
Panaitescu AM, Wright D, Militello A, Akolekar R, Nicolaides KH. Proposed clinical management of pregnancies after combined screening for pre-eclampsia at 35-37 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Sep;50(3):383-387. (View)
FAQs from users: 'Is bleeding normal at 35 weeks of pregnancy?', 'Does the baby move a lot at 35 weeks of pregnancy?' and 'Can there be contractions at 35 weeks of pregnancy?'.
