35 Weeks Pregnant: Is It Safe For The Baby To Arrive?

Hi moms, you're in the final stretch! Congratulations on making it this far. At 35 weeks pregnant, your baby bump is in full bloom, and your little one is almost ready to make their grand entrance. But remember, labour might still be a few weeks away, or it could start early.

That’s why it’s important to understand which symptoms are normal at this stage and which ones may need medical attention. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what to expect at 35 weeks, how to get ready for labour, and what lies ahead.

Baby At 35 Weeks Pregnant

At week 35, your baby is nearing full term and getting ready for the outside world. They are rapidly gaining weight and fat to achieve that newborn baby look. Also, the fat will help them stay warm once they’re born.

While the lanugo (feather soft hair on the fetal body) is almost completely gone by now, the vernix coating is only getting thicker. It’s a waxy, white, protective layer that starts to form on the baby in the third trimester of your pregnancy.

And even though space is getting tight in your womb, your baby is still actively kicking and wiggling. You should feel these movements on a regular basis.

35 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Size

At 35 weeks in the womb, a baby is about the size of a honeydew melon. They measure approximately 46.2 cm from head to heel and gain around 226 to 340 grams of weight each week. On average, a full-term newborn weighs a little over 3 kilograms.

A baby born at 35 weeks is considered moderately premature. This means they are not as fully developed as full-term babies and may require medical support after birth.

Signs Of Labour At 35 Weeks

Sometimes during pregnancy, your baby may arrive earlier than expected. This is known as premature delivery. Always remember that premature labour is a medical emergency. So you must be aware of its signs and symptoms and call your doctor immediately if you notice any of these:

1. Feeling pressure in your pelvis like your baby is pushing down
2. Dull lower back pain
3. Swelling of your hands, feet or face
4. Contractions happening more than four times an hour
5. Water breaking
6. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
7. Having trouble with your eyesight (such as blurred or double vision)
8. Getting stomach cramps like period pain
9. Blood or fluid coming from your vagina
10. Not feeling the baby move
11. Feeling tired or unwell

Pregnancy Symptoms At Week 35

Let’s take a look at some common pregnancy symptoms which you may experience at week 35.

• Braxton Hicks Contractions

As your body rehearses for the birth of your baby, you’ll likely feel a lot of these ‘practice contractions’ in the 35th week of pregnancy. Unlike actual contractions, these are weaker, shorter and do not grow more frequent with time. But if this is your first time, they may catch you off guard.

• Feeling Hot

During the third trimester, your metabolic rate and hormonal levels peak and your body works extremely hard to fulfil the needs of your growing baby. All these changes mess up your body’s temperature regulation, and you may start to feel hotter than usual.

• Backaches

As your belly bump grows in size in the 35th week of pregnancy, your centre of gravity shifts. This puts additional pressure on your back, leading to discomfort and pain. Additionally, pregnancy hormones like relaxin loosen your ligaments in preparation for birth, which adds to instability and pain.

• Breathlessness 

Your body is pumping more blood, and your growing uterus is putting pressure on the diaphragm. Due to this, it becomes harder for your lungs to fully expand and inhale. And this may leave you out of breath even after small bouts of activity. While it’s usually harmless, sudden breathlessness accompanied by chest pain or rapid heartbeat should never be ignored, as they could hint at something more serious.

• Heart Palpitations

A racing heart could be another common symptom in the 35th week of pregnancy. It usually happens because your heart is pumping more blood to support the developing fetus, and there is a surge in pregnancy hormones. However, if you experience dizziness or breathlessness along with heart palpitations, consult your doctor immediately.

• Digestion Problems

Digestive issues like heartburn, bloating and constipation become quite common in women when they’re 35 weeks pregnant. This can be attributed to two main reasons: first, the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the muscles, including the ones in your digestive tract, causing slow digestion, and second is your growing belly, which pushes against your stomach and intestines.

• Spider Veins, Varicose Veins And Haemorrhoids

Increased blood volume, hormonal changes, and pressure from your uterus can cause blood to pool in your veins. This can lead to spider veins (tiny, red-purple bursts on the skin), varicose veins (large, bulging veins, especially on the legs), and haemorrhoids (swollen veins in the rectum).

• Frequent Urges To Pee

By week 35, your baby drops below the pelvis and starts to press against the urinary bladder. This leads to frequent urination and urinary incontinence sometimes. But frequent urination along with a burning sensation or cloudy urine could indicate a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and must be medically addressed.

Tips For 35 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some tips to help you navigate this final stretch of pregnancy:

• Manage Your Emotions

Hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, anxiety about labour, and anticipation of motherhood can contribute to increased anxiety at this time. Surround yourself with people who can support you, such as your partner, friend, or family member. Journaling, breathing exercises, or simply talking it out can bring relief. But if you still feel overwhelmed, do not hesitate to reach out to a therapist.

• Get Your Health Checks Done

Regular health checkups are more important than ever now. Reach out to your doctor as per scheduled appointments so that they can monitor your baby’s position, growth, heart rate, and your own vitals like blood pressure and weight. You may also have to undergo tests for infectious diseases and necessary vaccinations.

FAQs

How Many Months Is 35 Weeks Pregnant?

35 weeks pregnant is approximately 8 months and 3 weeks into pregnancy.

Is It Normal To Be Really Tired When I Am 35 Weeks Pregnant?

Yes, feeling extremely tired at 35 weeks is completely normal due to hormonal changes, weight gain, and disrupted sleep.

Can The Baby Be Born At 35 Weeks And Be Healthy?

Yes, babies born at 35 weeks, though considered moderately preterm, can have a healthy start with the help of medical support.

Which Week Does the 9th Month of Pregnancy Start?

The 9th month of pregnancy begins at 36 weeks and continues through to delivery. This is the final stage, where your baby is considered full term and getting ready for birth.