What to expect at thirty-five weeks pregnant. Everything you need to know about your baby and your body now that you’re well into your third trimester.

Now that you’re thirty-five weeks pregnant, you are in your eighth month of pregnancy which means you only have around one month to go. The end (and your little bundle of joy) is almost in sight.

Over the last seven months, your body had undergone immense changes, while your baby develops safely in your womb. By thirty-five weeks your baby will have moved position. At this point almost all babies will be facing down, ready for birth.

Although the end is in sight, and your baby is almost ready to enter the world, there’s still time for some more growing and developmental changes to take place in utero. By week 36 your little one’s chances of a healthy early delivery greatly increase.

Think you missed something? Head over to our pregnancy week-by-week guide for details at every stage of your pregnancy.

Your body at thirty-five weeks pregnant

With approximately five weeks to go until your due date, your body is continuing to change and grow even at this late stage in your pregnancy.

Your bump has well at truly popped by now and the measurement in centimeters from the top of your uterus to your pubic bone roughly equates to the number of weeks along in your pregnancy you are.

As your baby gets heavier and starts to move into its final position, you may start to feel more tired and uncomfortable. To help your little one along, and ease some of the tension in your lower back, you could try bouncing on a birthing ball, or getting onto all-fours and wiggling your hips. This opens up the pelvis and will encourage your baby to turn.

Your baby at thirty-five weeks pregnant

Measuring at approximately 46.2cm (around 18 inches), your baby is now about the size of a pineapple. At thirty-five weeks, the fetus will usually weigh between 2.3 and 2.5kg (5.25lbs), however every baby is different. Some babies grow faster than others and their size and weight at full term can greatly vary. Your doctor or midwife will let you if there is any concern of your baby’s size.

The majority of weight gain now comes from baby fat, as your little one is developing a layer of cushioning for the birth and life on the outside. This also means the fetus looks more like a newborn than ever, although there’s still some growing to be done.

Thirty-five weeks pregnant symptoms

While many of your earlier pregnancy symptoms may have alleviated by this stage, as you baby moves into new positions and your body prepares for birth you could still experience a number of different symptoms.

Constipation

An uncomfortable reality of being thirty-five weeks pregnant is constipation. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for constipation to be accompanied by hemorrhoids. Try doing Kegels to improve circulation to the area. Gentle walks and herbal teas should also ease the constipation.

Blurry Vision

If you’re low on sleep, this combined with a surge in hormones is enough to make your vision blurry. This is a common symptom at thirty-five weeks pregnant. However, if it is worrying you due to being accompanied by headaches, rapid weight gain and swelling, consult with your doctor or midwife. In some cases, this could be a sign of preeclampsia.

Vaginal Discharge

A rise in estrogen has caused rapid blood flow to your uterus and has stimulated the mucous membranes. Pantyliners should make this symptom a minor one.

Stretch Marks

This is a classic symptom of pregnancy and is something to see beauty and loveliness in. You will be more prone to stretch marks if you’re fair haired or fair skinned. Keep your weight gain gentle and gradual to minimize these marks as much as you can.

Leaking Colostrum

Colostrum is a pre-natal milk that will be a yellowish-cream in colour. You may notice a few drops leaking here and there. It’s not glamorous but it’s just your body preparing to breastfeed.

Pregnancy Brain and Clumsiness

You may have notices you’ve been a little absent-minded in recent weeks. This can be down to sleeplessness and the fact that pregnancy does actually reduce or bran cell volume! The clumsiness may also be down to your growing bump and difficulty with balance as it becomes harder to walk.

Bleeding Gums

As in earlier weeks, in your 8th month of pregnancy your gums may be tender and susceptible to bleeding. To help easy this symptom, try and up your vitamin C intake.

Varicose Veins and Hemorrhoids

In the latter weeks of your pregnancy visible or varicose veins may also ache and itch on your legs. However, it’s not just on your legs these symptoms might pop up. Another unpleasant pregnancy symptom is varicose veins on your rectum, known as hemorrhoids.

Pre-natal Blues

Experiencing depression during pregnancy is something that many mothers-to-be go through and don’t understand why. There are so many hormones being pumped around your body. You’re anxious about the birth, you’re protective about your baby and you are feeling a lot of societal pressure to act and feel a certain way. Between 14 and 23 percent of women experience depression during pregnancy so it’s important to understand you are not alone. If you are suffering from pre-natal depression, consult with your doctor or midwife and consider therapy. Help and support are always available to you.

Preparing for birth at thirty-five weeks pregnant

Although the risks are said to lower at around weeks 35 and 36, labour before 37 weeks pregnant is considered premature.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to think about your birth plan. Your midwife or doctor may have presented a number of birthing options, and whether you have your heart set on a water birth or have been advised to consider an elective caesarean, it’s important to know about all the alternatives.

For more information on development and milestones at every stage of your pregnancy, visit our pregnancy week by week page.