What to expect 35 weeks pregnant?
What to expect at 35 weeks pregnant. What happens during the 35th week of pregnancy?
How big is baby at 35 weeks pregnant?
This week your baby is around the size of a honeydew melon and they are weighing about 2.4kg or 4lbs. Their head is now becoming their heaviest part! Excitingly this means that the majority of babies will be head down at this point. The weight of their head and gravity are to thank for this, as this is the most optimum birthing position for birth. If baby’s head is not down at this point then at your next midwife appointment you will likely be referred for a presentation scan.
Read more about what is a breech baby here on our blog.
Take a look at Spinning Babies too as they have lots of information on how to help to turn baby.
What is happening with me at 35 weeks pregnant?
You may be starting to experience symptoms such as constipation and hemorrhoids. To help with this, increase your fluid intake. Our bodies require so much water to grow a baby, so upping your water intake can help with constipation and subsequently hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, hemorrhoids are common in pregnancy. This is because of the hormone changes. The hormones cause our smooth muscles to relax and can cause hemorrhoids. If you are struggling, speak to your midwife or GP as they may be able to prescribe something to help or at least ease the discomfort.
Increased vaginal discharge may be another thing you are noticing at 35 weeks pregnant and this is really normal. You have so much extra blood flow to your vagina that causes increased discharge. You may find wearing a pantyliner helpful.
There are some birth preps you can start doing this week!
These exciting things include packing your hospital bag, which we recommend having packed by 36 weeks pregnant. At your next midwife appointment they will be speaking to you about your birth choices and your desired place of birth. Where you choose to give birth can be a real benefit to your labour. I would really encourage you to fully consider each of your options; a home birth, a midwife-led unit, and a consultant-led unit.
Remember, everyone’s choice is going to be different. Don’t worry about what your neighbour did, or your sister, or your friend. Look at what is going to be best for you. Also, make sure you look at what options will be available to you at each of these locations. For example, look at your different options for pain relief, positioning options for birth, if you can have access to water if you want to use a TENS machine. This way, at your next midwife appointment you can have any questions that you may have ready to ask.
On this same topic, if you’re wanting to use a TENS machine or are planning a home birth and want to hire a pool then ideally you should have this organised and ready to arrive any day so that by 37 weeks (which is so soon!) you are ready to go.
You also need to ensure you have a car seat ready to bring baby home. Really you are ready to go into labour at any time, although 37 weeks is considered full term. So if you haven’t yet chosen and bought your car seat. If you haven’t yet then that is your homework for this week!
You might also want to think about meal prepping for when baby is here. Baby’s notoriously feed around the clock when they first arrive in the world. Having some meals in your freezer, like cottage pie or lasagne, can be so helpful to have something to quickly pop in the oven and eat. This will help when you have little time and also ensure you are having nutritiously balanced meals. This is so important to help keep your own energy levels up; you can’t pour from an empty cup!
How are you feeling at 35 weeks pregnant?
It is really normal as you approach your due date, birth, and baby to feel apprehensive and a little nervous. If this is you then I would really recommend you check out some birth affirmation cards or begin writing your own. Here are some of our favourites:
I control what I can, and let go of what I can’t.
My baby is the perfect size for my body.
I feel calm and confident.
My birth partner supports me and is my biggest source of oxytocin.
I inhale calmness, and exhale tension.
Birth is safe.
I do what is right for me and my baby.
