Week 35 of Your Pregnancy

At 35 weeks, your baby is preparing for birth and they're either head down now or transitioning there. Keep reading to find out more about week 35 of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Journey Week 35

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

It's week 35 of your pregnancy. Your unborn baby is becoming increasingly cramped in the uterus, but is still active and may change position frequently. Now is a good time to start counting kicks and be on the lookout for reduced fetal movement or other possible late-term issues.

Pregnancy Week 35 Quick Facts

  • At 35 weeks, you're eight months pregnant
  • You have five weeks until your due date
  • You're in the third trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size At 35 Weeks

Your baby is approximately the size of a honeydew melon. They weigh about 5.25 pounds and measure 18.19 inches.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 35

Here are some common pregnancy symptoms you may experience at 35 weeks pregnant:

  • Braxton Hicks contractions
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Frequent urination and leakage
  • Back pain
  • Shortness of breath

Many of your symptoms from the past few weeks will likely persist, such as Braxton Hicks contractions, heartburn and indigestion, and frequent urination and leakage. Try heeding the advice given previously by experts in earlier weeks. For uncomfortable Braxton Hicks contractions, drink water and change positions or activity levels. For heartburn and indigestion, eat smaller meals and avoid trigger foods. Finally, to combat frequent urination and leakage, try limiting caffeine, leaning forward when you pee, and crossing your legs when you sneeze or laugh. 

You may also experience back pain this week due to the added weight of baby and changes in your posture. Experts recommend wearing shoes with good arch support, avoiding lifting heavy objects, and applying heat or ice. You can also get a prenatal massage. 

Shortness of breath is another common symptom at this stage of pregnancy, particularly as your growing baby and uterus push upward toward your lung area. Try slowing down, adjusting your body position or posture, and practicing breathing exercises.

Developmental Milestones

At week 35 of pregnancy, your unborn baby's brain is continuing to develop and mature and the cerebral cortex is becoming more complex, which is essential for functions such as language, thought, and memory. 

Their respiratory system is maturing and there may be enough surfactant in the lungs to support lung function. If you watch closely, you might be able to witness your unborn baby practicing breathing movements on the ultrasound. 

The digestive system is almost fully developed, and your unborn baby is now capable of digesting and absorbing nutrients from human milk or formula. 

Finally, your unborn baby's skin is becoming less translucent and wrinkled as they develop a layer of fat underneath to regulate body temperature after birth. They also have begun to shed the vernix caseosa, that white creamy protective coating covering newborn skin, and will continue to do so until birth.

Pregnancy Journey Weekly Reminder

Design by Alice Morgan

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

Although health care appointments are typically every other week after the 32-week mark, you might be seen at week 35 if your provider is keeping a close eye on something. 

Your health care provider may perform a biophysical profile by ultrasound to check the baby's growth, position, and amniotic fluid levels. An ultrasound can also detect any potential issues, such as placenta previa or intrauterine growth restriction. You may also be given a non-stress test, a non-invasive exam that measures the baby's heart rate in response to movement. It can help your health care provider assess your baby's well-being and detect any potential problems, such as placental insufficiency, fetal distress, or low oxygen levels.

At week 35, your doctor may recommend taking the group B streptococcus screening, commonly performed between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy. This test screens for bacteria in the vagina or rectum that can be passed to your baby at delivery. A positive result would mean receiving antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of your baby developing an infection. 

Your health care provider may also recommend a cervical exam to check the length and dilation of your cervix, which can help determine if you are at risk for preterm labor. Some pregnant people opt to skip this exam choosing to watch for other signs of early labor instead.

Common Questions at This Stage of Pregnancy

I've written my birth plan. How can I best advocate for myself during labor so that my wishes are heard?

Utilize the acronym B.R.A.I.N. to help ask questions regarding proposed interventions or medications you had not anticipated to make an informed decision. Be sure to discuss your decision with your partner, support person, or a loved one.

  • Benefits of x
  • Risks of x
  • Alternatives to x
  • Intuition: what does yours tell you?
  • Nothing: what is the likely outcome if you were to say no at this time?


How can I prepare for my postpartum recovery ahead of delivery?

Do your research! Spend time researching pelvic floor therapists, lactation consultants, and doulas that are in network with your insurance and/or recommended by others in your circles and community. 


Make a perinatal consultation with an international board-certified lactation consultant to establish care before delivery so you aren't scrambling to find someone at the last minute if you and/or your baby are struggling. "For anyone desiring to breastfeed, a lactation consultant can be key,” says Amber Knowles, a certified birth and postpartum doula and owner of Lorelei Lu Doula in Chicago. “Breastfeeding is a journey, a learned skill, that requires dedication and grace; it can be difficult."


Reaching out for help can be particularly difficult if you are managing emotions around breastfeeding. Karla* who delivered her baby at 34 weeks after going through fertility treatments to get pregnant says, "Getting pregnant wasn't easy, delivery wasn't easy, and when breastfeeding also came as a challenge, I had to confront what felt like the continued failure of my body before I could seek help."


Finally, you can prepare by purchasing, registering for, or getting items donated that you'll likely need in the first few weeks after delivery, such as ice packs, pads, tucks pads, witch hazel, Dermoplast, peri bottles, disposable undies, sitz baths, nipple creams, and silverette cups.

Things You Might Consider This Week

As your due date approaches, you may have already prepared your hospital bag with essential items for you and the baby. But now is a good time to also ensure you are set with important items needed outside of the hospital. A big one is the car seat. 

Most hospitals won't let you drive home without checking that your car seat has been properly installed. If your little one is born on the smaller side, like mine was at 5 pounds and 1 ounce, hospital staff may require your baby to pass a car seat test to ensure it's safe enough for them to ride home. Additionally, be prepared to locate some preemie clothes quickly if your baby is born earlier than you expected.

Finally, consider asking around for pediatrician referrals. Many hospitals require you to have a pediatrician lined up before discharge and you'll want to know in advance where you will be taking your newborn for their first checkup given how soon after birth that first appointment comes.

Support You Might Need This Week

No matter how good (or bad) your support system of family and friends may be, you can benefit from the assistance of a health professional during pregnancy. It may be helpful to speak to a therapist as you near the end of pregnancy and come closer to childbirth to discuss any fears or anxieties you might be experiencing as a result. 

"There are a wide range of emotions that expecting parents experience throughout pregnancy. Among others, parents often name excitement, fear, joy, worry, and uncertainty. All of these are normal and you may notice that they heighten as delivery approaches. I often remind expecting parents that it is OK if some of the feelings are confusing, and that it is equally important to pay attention to both the pleasant and less pleasant emotions coming up," says Allison Yura, LCSW, at AY Behavioral Health Services in Chicago.

Additionally, as your baby grows and your body changes, you may experience physical discomfort. A prenatal massage therapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, or physical therapist may be able to provide relief.

* The author's name has been changed for privacy.

Head over to week 36 of pregnancy

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