Pregnancy Week 35

What does my baby look like, and how big is my baby?

This week your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon.

Your baby is filling out. This fat tissue will help your baby stay warm and regulate body temperature after birth.

You're in your 8th month of pregnancy, with about a month to go until birth. Things are getting pretty snug in your uterus now, but your baby should still be moving. You should feel those movements as strong and regular as in the previous weeks.

What's happening with your baby this week?

Your baby's lung development is now considered complete, and your baby is ready to breathe in the outside world. The skull is still a little soft, which helps your baby pass through the birth canal.

Your amniotic fluid has reached its peak level. Your water may break when your baby is ready to be born, but sometimes this happens later, during labor. If it seems like your water has broken, get in touch with your health care provider or the hospital where you plan to give birth.

What's happening in my body?

If you've noticed yellowish stains on your bra, it's most likely colostrum, the antibody-rich early milk. In some pregnant women, colostrum can appear weeks or even months before birth.

To prepare for this, you might consider a nursing bra and breast pads. Not everyone is able to breastfeed, and breastfeeding often takes practice. If you are able to breastfeed, it can give your baby a helpful start early in life.

Group B strep

Group B strep is a common bacterium, and up to 2 in every 5 people carry it in their bodies.

If you're carrying group B strep while pregnant, there's a small risk it could make your baby seriously ill. Most group B strep infections in newborns can be prevented.

Your uterus has expanded up toward your rib cage

Your uterus now reaches up under your rib cage. Because it's crowding your internal organs, you may experience issues like heartburn, gas, and bloating.

To ease this, pay attention to foods that upset your stomach. Carbonated drinks, chocolate, citrus, tomatoes, mustard, vinegar, mint products, processed meats, and fatty, spicy, or fried foods can make symptoms worse for some people.

Small, frequent meals may be more comfortable than large ones. Not eating close to bedtime and propping yourself up with pillows can also help. If your symptoms are significant, talk with your health care provider about heartburn medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.

What's happening in your body during this stage?

Swelling in your ankles may have increased, and heartburn and reflux may still be with you. On the other hand, if your baby has dropped down into your pelvis, breathing may get a little easier and indigestion may ease. This is sometimes called "lightening" or "dropping."

But this time the pressure shifts more onto your bladder. As a result, you may need to urinate more often.

You may feel clumsier than usual. Because your center of gravity has changed, your ligaments have loosened, swelling has increased, and your vision may be affected, tripping, bumping into things, or dropping things can happen more often. Try to move slowly and be gentle with yourself.

Headaches can also be more noticeable at this stage of pregnancy. Triggers can include fatigue, dehydration, hunger, sleep problems, stress, allergies, and changes in vision.

These approaches may help with headaches:

• noting down your triggers
• applying a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your neck
• not letting yourself get too hungry or thirsty
• eating small, frequent meals
• getting regular exercise
• considering relaxing approaches like massage, meditation, prenatal yoga, or acupuncture

Call your health care provider if you have a severe headache, if it's the first time you've had a headache like this, or if the headache comes with fever, a stiff neck, or vision problems. This could be a sign of a serious condition such as preeclampsia.

Hemorrhoids are also very common in pregnancy. Your growing uterus, rising progesterone, and constipation can all make them worse. Hemorrhoids can be itchy, painful, and uncomfortable, and can sometimes cause blood in your stool.

Preventing constipation can help reduce hemorrhoids:

• drinking enough water
• eating fiber-rich foods
• staying active
• avoiding straining on the toilet
• not sitting for long periods

For hemorrhoids, a cold compress, a warm bath, and gentle cleansing can be soothing. Talk with your health care provider before using any medication.

During these weeks, a dark line called the linea nigra running down the middle of your belly may become more noticeable. Dark patches called melasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," may also appear on your face. Your areolas, labia majora, armpits, and skin folds may look darker. These changes usually fade after birth. Using sunscreen and avoiding treatments that irritate the skin can help.

Changes such as blurry vision and dry eyes can also occur in the second half of pregnancy. These are often temporary and mild. However, if your vision changes noticeably, or if you have double vision, temporary vision loss, flashing lights, or any other worrying symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Hot flashes and generally feeling warmer can also be common at this stage. This is due to your increased blood volume, faster metabolism, hormonal changes, and your body working harder.

Your pregnancy signs may include:

• Braxton Hicks contractions
• trouble sleeping
• stretch marks
• swollen and bleeding gums
• round ligament pain
• hemorrhoids
• back pain
• indigestion and heartburn
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urinary tract infections
• vaginal infections
• darkening skin or brown patches on your face
• oilier, more acne-prone skin
• thicker, shinier hair

Symptoms carried over from previous weeks may also continue:

• mood swings
• morning sickness
• cravings
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaking breasts
• milky white vaginal discharge and light spotting

Which symptoms might show up this week?

One of the most common complaints during these weeks is trouble sleeping. Your growing belly can make it hard to get comfortable, and frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom can interrupt your sleep. A body-supporting pregnancy pillow can be soothing during this stage.

The RSV vaccine may also come up this week. It's usually recommended late in pregnancy (often between weeks 28 and 36, depending on your country's schedule), but if needed it can be given later, up until birth. If you haven't had it yet, talk with your doctor.

Nutrition this week

Even though your baby is largely developed, your baby is still growing quickly. That's why it's important to keep eating well.

Essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6, matter for both you and your baby. Omega-3 in particular can fall short in some diets.

If you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, you shouldn't eat more than two portions of oily fish a week. Because of their high mercury levels, you should avoid shark, marlin, and swordfish.

Foods like yogurt, fruit, and especially green vegetables can also help prevent nutritional deficiencies such as anemia. Everything you eat during pregnancy can affect your baby's development, and eating well can have long-term benefits.

Bring up your vaccinations

If you haven't had your whooping cough vaccine yet, talk with your doctor about it. It's usually recommended for pregnant women between weeks 16 and 32, but it can be given later as well.

Fight nasal congestion

Pregnancy hormones can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell and make you feel stuffed up. A saline spray, humidifying the room, and keeping your nose moist without irritating it can be soothing.

Squatting and labor

Squatting can widen your pelvic opening and give your baby more room to move down. But it should be done within safe limits, without pushing your body too hard.

About prenatal measurements

The measurement in centimeters from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus roughly matches the number of your pregnancy week. For this week, the tape measure is expected to read about 35 centimeters. This is an approximate guide; your health care provider makes the precise assessment.

Pain management options during labor

There are many effective ways to manage pain during labor. You don't have to choose just one. You can start with one method and then switch to another. You can talk over your preferences with your doctor and partner and write them into your birth plan. It's also perfectly normal to change your mind on the day.

Sore ribs

You may have rib pain or discomfort late in pregnancy. This can happen as your rib cage is pushed outward to make room for your growing baby. If your baby is head-down and kicking, or in a breech position, the pain may be more pronounced.

If pain under your ribs comes with the following symptoms, talk with your health care provider about the possibility of preeclampsia:

• a severe headache
• vision problems such as blurring or flashing
• vomiting
• sudden swelling in your face, hands, or feet

Breasts

Since your breasts keep growing, you may need a new bra size. If you're planning to breastfeed, you might consider buying a couple of nursing bras. But because your breasts may feel fuller when your milk comes in about 3 to 5 days after birth, it may be better not to buy too many new bras.

Bad dreams

At this stage, it's common to have dreams or nightmares about pregnancy, labor, and the baby. This may be your way of mentally adjusting to the big change ahead. If you feel overwhelmed, talk with your doctor.

Pack your hospital bag

If you haven't done so yet, now is a good time to pack your hospital bag. Having your necessary documents, comfortable clothes, personal care items, a phone charger, and a going-home outfit for your baby ready in advance can be reassuring in these final weeks.

Flying

If you're planning a trip during this time, keep in mind that some airlines don't allow flying late in pregnancy. It may also be a good idea to stay close to home in case your baby arrives early.

I'm not sleeping. How can I sleep more?

During these weeks, it's common to feel unusually tired and still be unable to sleep. Setting up a gentle bedtime routine, taking a warm shower, staying away from screens, and taking short rest breaks during the day can help.

Pregnancy brain

As you get closer to birth, forgetfulness may increase. Lack of sleep can make it more noticeable, too. This is temporary for most people.

You may find walking more uncomfortable

As your baby drops down into your pelvis, you may feel mild pain and discomfort in your lower belly. If the symptoms are very intense, especially if you have noticeable pain under your ribs, let your health care provider know.

Breastfeeding facts

It's normal to have questions or concerns about breastfeeding at this stage of pregnancy. Breast milk is an important form of support you can give your baby. When you have questions along your breastfeeding journey, a health care provider or support groups can help.