Baby is the size of a large coconut
👶 Baby's development
Kidneys are fully formed. The liver produces bile. The baby is mature enough to be born.
💛 How mom feels
Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent. Watch their regularity. Hospital bag should be ready!
📖 Tip of the week
Almost all organs are ready for independent function — the liver is the exception. The baby now fills nearly all the space in the uterus. Braxton-Hicks contractions may occur — irregular, painless, and they stop when you change position.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The fetus's brain weighs about two-thirds of its final birth weight and continues growing rapidly
- Fat deposits give the baby plump arms and legs with skin creases at the wrists and neck
- The fetus's kidneys are fully mature and the liver can process some waste products
- Most of the lanugo has been shed, though some may remain on the shoulders and back
- The fetus is running out of space and movements feel more like squirming and rolling
- The fetus is about 46.2 cm long and weighs approximately 2,400 grams, roughly the size of a honeydew melon
🤱 What mom may feel
- Frequent urination as the baby's head may begin pressing on the bladder
- Increased pelvic pressure and discomfort, especially when walking
- Difficulty breathing while climbing stairs or walking uphill
- Braxton Hicks contractions may feel stronger and more regular
- Difficulty getting up from a seated or lying position
🏥 Tests and check-ups
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening is typically performed between weeks 35-37. This is a simple vaginal and rectal swab to test for GBS bacteria. If positive, IV antibiotics will be administered during labor to prevent transmission to the baby. Regular prenatal visit continues with standard monitoring.
💡 Tips for this week
- Complete the GBS screening test as scheduled — it is important for your baby's safety during delivery
- Review the signs of labor: regular contractions, rupture of membranes, bloody show, lower back pain that doesn't stop
- Pre-register at your hospital or birth center to streamline the admission process
- Plan your route to the hospital and have a backup plan in case of traffic or other delays
- Rest whenever possible — you are in the home stretch
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is Group B Strep and is it dangerous?
GBS is a common bacterium that about 25% of women carry. It usually causes no symptoms in adults but can be dangerous to newborns if transmitted during delivery, potentially causing sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis. IV antibiotics during labor effectively prevent transmission.
How will I know when I'm in real labor?
Real labor contractions are regular, progressively closer together, and increase in intensity. They don't stop with rest or position changes. You may also experience rupture of membranes (water breaking), bloody show, or persistent lower back pain. Call your provider when contractions are 5 minutes apart.
Should I tour the hospital before delivery?
Yes, a hospital tour helps you familiarize yourself with the labor and delivery unit, learn about check-in procedures, and ask questions. Many hospitals offer tours around 35-36 weeks. This can reduce anxiety on delivery day.
📝 Week 35 of pregnancy: preparing for birth
At 35 weeks, your baby weighs approximately 2.4 kg and measures around 46 cm — about the size of a honeydew melon. The kidneys are fully developed and the liver can now process some waste products. Your baby is becoming increasingly plump as fat layers continue to build, and the skin looks much smoother and less wrinkled than it did a few weeks ago. If born now, a baby at 35 weeks would be classified as late preterm and would typically need a short period of observation but would have an excellent outlook.
You may feel noticeably slowed down at this stage, and that is entirely appropriate — your body and your baby are preparing for birth. Insomnia and frequent waking are very common and can be frustrating; try to rest during the day when possible and avoid screens before bed. You may also notice an increase in vaginal discharge — a thin, milky white discharge is normal, but any yellow, green, or blood-stained discharge, or a sudden loss of fluid, should be reported to your midwife immediately. The baby may have engaged into the pelvis, giving you a visible change in the shape of your bump.
Appointments at 35 weeks focus on preparation for the final weeks of pregnancy. Your midwife will discuss the signs of labour in detail — these include a show (a mucus plug tinged with blood), waters breaking (a gush or trickle of fluid), and regular, progressive contractions. You should know when and how to contact your maternity unit and under what circumstances to go straight in. If you are Rhesus negative, a second anti-D injection may be offered at around 34 to 36 weeks depending on the protocol used by your unit.
At 35 weeks, focus on rest and preparation rather than trying to accomplish too much. Ensure your home is set up for the baby’s arrival — the Moses basket or crib should be in place, and essentials such as nappies, sleepsuits, and feeding equipment should be ready. If you plan to breastfeed, familiarise yourself with the basics — hand expressing colostrum from 36 weeks onwards is sometimes recommended, particularly for women with gestational diabetes, and your midwife can advise you on this. Continue taking vitamin D daily and eating a balanced, nourishing diet to support your energy levels in these final weeks.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding
- Sudden decrease in baby movements (fewer than 10 in 2 hours)
- Severe headache or seeing spots
- Swelling of face, hands, or sudden leg swelling
- Leaking or gushing of amniotic fluid
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks (every 10 minutes)
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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