Pregnancy week 35
Week 35 of pregnancy is often accompanied by paranoia for many women. Anxieties about the soon-to-be-born baby mount and can cause more stress than is necessary at this point in the pregnancy. It is important to keep in mind that this is a common reaction to being so near delivery and that the best way to help alleviate some of the worries is to be openly communicative with loved ones. It might be surprising to realize that partners often feel the pressure during this time as deeply as mothers do. Helping each other through this difficult time can help form an even stronger bond for the baby to be born into. The baby is putting on more weight at this point and has grown to about 5 ½ pounds and almost 20 inches. The belly has risen to almost 6 inches above the belly button and a weight gain of about 30 pounds is fairly common by week 35.
During this week, the baby will get into head down position, the proper position for delivery. If the baby goes into any other position against the cervix the baby is considered breech and must be delivered via cesarean. The most common breech position is when the buttocks instead of the head are positioned first to appear through the birth canal. Referred to as frank breech, this can sometimes be altered via an external version. Performed in a hospital setting around week 36, an external version is when the baby is flipped into the correct position for delivery by the physician. Women more at risk for breech than others include women who are more inclined to premature labor, women who have had more than one baby in close relation to each other, women with an excessive amount of amniotic fluid, women carrying twins, and women who have placenta previa. A transverse position is far less common than a breech position and occurs when the baby has it’s shoulder or back pressed against the birth canal. This position usually necessitates a cesarean.
Current guidance (today's medical sources): By week thirty-five most of the baby's development is complete and the main task is gaining weight. Group B streptococcus screening is commonly offered around weeks thirty-six to thirty-seven to guide care during labour. Frequent prenatal visits continue, and reporting reduced movement remains important.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly about heavy vaginal bleeding, severe or persistent abdominal pain, a high fever, severe or sudden headache, vision changes, or fainting. Seek urgent care if you are worried — these can be signs that need medical attention.
Sources: NHS — 35 weeks pregnant; ACOG — Group B Strep and Pregnancy; Mayo Clinic — Fetal development: The 3rd trimester. Informational only. See our sources & medical-review policy.
Frequently asked questions
How many months is 35 weeks pregnant?
Week 35 falls in the third trimester. Pregnancy is usually counted in weeks (about 40 in total) rather than months, because weeks are more precise.
What is happening to the baby at 35 weeks?
Most development is complete; the baby is mainly gaining weight now.
What symptoms are common at week 35?
Group B strep screening is often offered around weeks 36–37. Symptoms vary a lot from person to person; discuss anything that worries you with your healthcare provider.
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See the week-by-week guide →Informational only — not medical advice. Pregnancy Week to Week is a general educational reference. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Every pregnancy is different: always consult your doctor, midwife, or other qualified healthcare provider about your own pregnancy, and never disregard or delay professional advice because of something you read here. In an emergency, contact your maternity unit or local emergency number immediately.