35 weeks pregnant: Your guide to this week of your third trimester

At 35 weeks pregnant, it may feel like your due date is fast approaching. It’s normal to have mixed feelings right now. You might be excited to meet your little one, sad about nearing the end of your pregnancy, and nervous about birth and delivery all at once. It can certainly be an overwhelming time, especially if this is your first pregnancy. So however you’re feeling, be kind to yourself and know that all emotions — even conflicting ones — are perfectly valid. 

Read on to hear advice from a Flo expert about the symptoms you may (or may not!) be experiencing at 35 weeks pregnant, plus lifestyle tips for a healthy pregnancy at this stage. 

Your baby at 35 weeks pregnant

Baby is getting snug

By now, your baby is taking up lots of room in your uterus. It sure is getting cramped in there, but they’ll still be wiggling around. In fact, you should feel movements as strongly and regularly as in previous weeks. By 36 weeks, they’ll most likely have settled into their birthing position. 

Baby has surfactant

At 35 weeks, it’s likely that your baby has produced enough of a substance called surfactant to be able to breathe well after birth. Never heard of it? Well, it’s a protein that’s key for healthy lungs. Your little one’s lungs will be fully developed very soon — by 36 weeks — and ready to take their first breath after birth.

How big is a baby at 35 weeks?

Length (crown to heel): 46.3 cm or 18.2 in 

Weight: 2.6 kg or 5.7 lb

Size: Equivalent to a papaya

All measurements are approximate and vary within the normal range.

Your body at 35 weeks pregnant

Nipple discharge

Noticed that your breasts have been leaking? This is perfectly normal, and the liquid is most likely colostrum — the first type of breast milk you will produce for your baby. If it feels weird to be producing breast milk before your baby has arrived, we hear you! Lots of women find it strange, and it can definitely take some getting used to.

It’s worth noting that experiencing this kind of nipple discharge is not unique to being 35 weeks pregnant, and it’s also normal to not experience this symptom. “Some pregnant people will experience nipple discharge in the third or even second trimester,” explains Dr. Jenna Beckham, obstetrician and gynecologist, WakeMed, North Carolina, US. And if you do experience this symptom, what’s the cause? “[Nipple discharge] is a result of hormonal stimulation of the breasts,” adds Dr. Beckham.

While nipple discharge is a perfectly natural bodily function, it’s understandable if it’s making you feel uncomfortable. If that’s the case, popping a tissue or absorbent breast pad over your nipples can help to absorb any leakage.    

Heartburn 

Heartburn, which can be caused by indigestion, can be an annoying pregnancy symptom. It can crop up at 35 weeks pregnant or earlier in your pregnancy (as you might already know!). The main symptoms of heartburn include:

• A burning sensation or pain in the chest
• Feeling nauseous
• Feeling full or bloated
• Regurgitating food
• Burping frequently

While indigestion is one of the common symptoms at this stage, you can also experience it at other points during pregnancy. “Again, this is not unique to 35 weeks,” says Dr. Beckham. “Heartburn develops in pregnancy due to effects on the esophageal sphincter tone.” In other words, it’s the result of the valve between your esophagus and stomach relaxing, thanks to the hormonal changes during pregnancy. This can lead to stomach acid passing into your esophagus and creating that painful, burning feeling.

If you’re suffering from indigestion, there are a number of things you can try at home to ease your symptoms. “Initial management includes lifestyle and dietary modifications like elevating the head of the bed [by adding a few supportive pillows, for example] and avoiding triggering foods,” says Dr. Beckham. Many people find that foods that are spicy, fatty, or greasy trigger their heartburn, as well as caffeine and chocolate. Other adjustments that can help include not eating within three hours of going to bed at night and eating smaller, more frequent meals. 

Dr. Beckham continues, “If patients have persistent symptoms, they may take antacids or other medications, like H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors.” Remember, it’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor before taking any new medications during pregnancy. And if you’re experiencing intense or severe symptoms, it could also be worth giving your health care provider a call to see if there’s anything else they can do to help.

Your questions answered

Is it safe to deliver at 35 weeks?

It could be safe to deliver your baby at 35 weeks, but they would be considered moderate to late preterm. They may still need specialist care in a neonatal unit and would continue to be monitored more closely than if they were born full term (from 39 to 40 weeks and six days). 

It’s also unlikely that your baby will be delivered this week. Just 7% of all live births happen at 35 and 36 weeks pregnant. So while it’s normal to feel anxious about your baby being born this early, the chances are that they’ll keep growing in your uterus for another couple of weeks.

What should you avoid at 35 weeks pregnant?

At 35 weeks pregnant, all the usual pregnancy do’s and don’ts apply. So when it comes to things to avoid at 35 weeks pregnant, you’re likely already clued up! To recap some of these, when it comes to exercise, avoid things like contact sports, extreme sports like diving, and any activity that requires you to lie flat on your back for long periods. 

There are also certain foods and drinks that you should avoid, including particular cheeses (like brie, camembert, gorgonzola, and Roquefort), raw or undercooked meat, smoked fish (like salmon or trout), unpasteurized dairy products, alcohol, and more than 200 mg of caffeine a day (around two cups of instant coffee). 

What should I be feeling at 35 weeks pregnant?

With your baby weighing nearly 3 kg (5 to 6 lb), you may well be feeling exhausted at 35 weeks pregnant, but not everyone does. Some of the other things you may be experiencing (but that are not unique to this week) include: 

• Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor contractions, which are harmless contractions around your tummy, caused by the uterus sporadically contracting and relaxing 
• Bloating and constipation
• Feeling hot
• Feeling dizzy 
• Headaches 
• Round ligament pain, which is usually felt on either side of your bump
• Backache 

There’s no denying that many of these symptoms are no fun to experience, and you may feel like the end of your pregnancy can’t come around quick enough. Hang in there if this is the case. It’ll all be worth it in a few weeks’ time. 

35 weeks pregnant checklist 

Eat foods with zinc

Zinc supports healthy growth and development during pregnancy. The recommended dietary allowance is slightly higher when you’re pregnant, so make sure you’re eating lots of zinc-rich foods. This is pretty easy if you’re not a vegetarian, as the richest sources of zinc are meat, fish, and seafood. You can also get zinc from beans, nuts, and whole grains, but they’re not as good sources as animal products. Whether you eat a plant-based diet or not, you may want to consider taking a zinc supplement to make sure you’re getting the right daily intake. If this is the case, it’s always a good idea to chat with your health care provider first. 

Try perineal massage

Perineal massage might help to stretch the vagina and the perineum (the area between the genitals and anus) in preparation for giving birth. This might sound weird, but there’s a chance that it could help prevent any tears from happening during a vaginal birth. Tears during birth are very common, affecting between 53% and 79% of women who have vaginal births. It’s totally understandable if you want to avoid this happening, and while scientists are still unsure on whether perineal massage can really help, it certainly shouldn’t do you any harm. 

So, how do you do it? Either you or your partner can perform the massage, which can be a lovely way to feel close to them. It involves pressing your thumbs (or them pressing their forefingers) downward from your vagina in the direction of your anus. You then use your thumbs (or they use their forefingers) to sweep from side to side, creating a U- shaped movement. It can help to lubricate your fingers, using either a water-soluble lubricant or an unscented natural oil like olive or sunflower oil. 

Ideally, you’ll massage your perineum three to four times a week for at least five minutes each time, from 35 weeks pregnant onward. Don’t worry if your perineum feels tight at first. It often takes time and practice for the area to loosen up. You’ve got this! 

When to consult a doctor at 35 weeks pregnant

You don’t need to wait until your appointment if you have any concerns or questions about your pregnancy. However, at 35 weeks pregnant, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience: 

• Severe cramping
• Vaginal bleeding
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Fever
• Dizziness or fainting
• Severe vomiting
• Severe headaches or blurry vision
• Intense heartburn
• A decrease in the amount you feel your baby move 
• A loss of liquid from your vagina or watery/mucus-like discharge (this could be a sign of premature labor)

This isn’t an exhaustive list and just an example of some of the changes you should look out for. Some of these can be a sign of health complications, so it’s essential that you speak to your doctor about the best next step for you. And if you’re ever worried about any other symptoms you experience during pregnancy, then don’t hesitate to reach out to your health care provider. 

It’s worth flagging that this week you may also want to speak to your health care provider about doing a test for Group B streptococcus (GBS). GBS is a common bacteria that is present in up to 2 in 5 people. However, if you’re carrying it while pregnant, there is a small risk that it could make your baby sick. “​​Neonatal GBS infections can include pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis,” says Dr. Beckham.

The test involves swabbing the vagina and rectum. If your test comes back positive, you’ll be treated with antibiotics during labor. 

In some countries, GBS testing is part of the routine screening when you’re pregnant. In the United States, for example, doctors will perform the test between 36 and 38 weeks. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the test is not routinely available. If this is the case for you, you may want to speak to your doctor about your options for taking the test. It’s natural to feel anxious about GBS, but remember, even if you are carrying the bacteria, it is usually harmless. 

35 weeks pregnant: The takeaway 

At 35 weeks pregnant, you might be experiencing breast leaks or trying out perineal massage. At this point in your pregnancy, the prospect of birth and delivery might feel increasingly real. All this means that it’s more important than ever to give yourself plenty of time to rest, adjust, and take it all in.