35 Weeks Pregnant

35 weeks of pregnancy – how many months

The 35th week of pregnancy is the ninth month of carrying a baby. To be more precise, 8.5 months have passed since the first day of the last menstrual period, from which the obstetric term is determined. Because conception occurred only after ovulation, fertilization of the female germ cell by sperm and fixation of the embryo (blastocyst) in the uterine cavity, and so the age of the embryo is two weeks less. Given that the duration of pregnancy is 40 weeks by obstetric standards, the mother-to-be has another 6 weeks or 42 days to wait.

The baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy

The fetal weight at 35 weeks of pregnancy equals an average of 2.5 kilograms, more or less. Each baby has individual characteristics, which it adopts from its parents. Gynecologists say that at this stage, the baby is fully ready for an independent life outside the womb.

• Not only does the baby’s weight increase at 35 weeks of pregnancy, but it also its growth. According to the medical chart of norms, the size of the baby is about 46 cm.
• Muscular muscles are developing; the process of deposition of subcutaneous fat is in process. The baby visibly gets better and fitter, which is reflected in the appearance of roundness and smoothing of the once wrinkled skin.
• The skin becomes a pinkish hue, and the facial features are well defined.
• External noises, people’s voices, the pounding of the mother’s heartbeat – are sounds the baby hears very well. It reacts to external stimuli, experiencing joy, discontent, and fear. All this is reflected in his face.
• The skeletal apparatus is fully formed; further strengthening is in progress. The bones of the skull retain mobility to allow the baby to leave the uterus unhindered and come out through the birth canal.
• The endocrine system is also developing intensively, producing hormones that activate the baby’s immune system and prepare the mother’s body for labor and lactation.
• The fetus turns its head upside down, the movements becoming less active. The baby sleeps most of the day.

Feelings and changes in the pregnant woman’s body

When the 35th week of pregnancy arrives, it is difficult to call the well-being of the expectant mother easy and unclouded. Along with the growth of the fetus, the uterus continues to increase, compressing the nearby organs. Because of this, the woman has to endure quite a bit of discomfort, and sometimes it can be difficult even to breathe. This may occur because of the pressure that the uterus creates on the diaphragm and lungs.

Many mothers suffer from insomnia, which makes them tired, weak, and sleepy during the day. In addition to the fears and anticipation associated with childbirth and the appearance of a new member of the family. Note that almost every woman is subject to anxiety at this time. However it’s important not to dwell on them, to tune out the bad thoughts and fears, and focus on the beauty of the moment and the positive. You’re having a baby!

There will probably be many mood swings, and sometimes the negative emotions associated with the last weeks of pregnancy, they may overwhelm the sense of happiness of future motherhood. As the baby can sense the negative emotions, it is vital to focus on the bright side and keep the mother calm and happy. While these moments can be scary, it is still so exciting! Especially feeling the baby move around in the mothers belly.

Belly size at 35 weeks of pregnancy

In the present moment, the height of the uterine fundus is about 35 cm. It has already reached its maximum size; there is no room for further growth. With the lowering of the abdomen, the woman feels a clear relief, as breathing becomes much easier. However, the sinking of the uterus into the pelvic area, increasingly presses on the bladder, which in turn causes frequent urination. Burt this isn’t the only problem a mother-to-be will face right now:

• It becomes increasingly difficult to choose the most comfortable sleeping position. In this sense, the choice for the expectant mother is very limited. For obvious reasons, sleeping on your stomach does not work, on your back – it is not safe, because in this case there is a squeeze on the vena cava, which provides oxygen to the baby. This leaves only one option left – to sleep on the right or left side, which with a large belly is not always convenient. Specialists advise mothers to cover themselves with pillows to help with comfort and support.
• Digestive failures can also occur, which can be accompanied by heartburn, nausea and even vomiting. The mother needs to watch her diet, and eat foods that help cope with the emerging ailments. Nutritionists recommend eating smaller meals, but more frequently.
  • Rather than 3 large meals, try and have 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day.
• With a sedentary lifestyle or after long walks, moms may notice severe swelling by the end of the day. Salty foods should be excluded from the diet, fluid intake should be limited, and compression stockings should be worn, especially if recommended by doctors.

Possible problems

Pain

Most of the painful sensations that haunt a woman in week 35 can be considered normal if they go away quickly, and are not severe in their intensity. These include:

• Lower back pain due to a shift in the center of gravity;
• Sacral pain due to the softening of the pelvic bones;
• Pains in the abdomen – training contractions;
• Pain in the legs because of swelling;
• Breast pain due to swollen mammary glands;
• Pain in the head because of the heavy load on the circulatory system.

A more pressing concern in the late term is late toxicosis or gestosis. Its manifestations can include severe edema, high blood pressure and weakness. In addition, the woman might constantly be vomiting. Without delay it is necessary to go to the hospital. As a rule, in these cases, doctors go to deliver the pregnant woman.

Delivery at 35 weeks of pregnancy

The baby born at 35 weeks, with competent medical care is not only able to come into the world safely, but also to breathe independently. The lungs and other vital organs are ready to function separately from the mother’s body, but if necessary, doctors will connect the newborn to the life-support system. According to statistics, the vast majority of babies born at this term, stay healthy and do not fall behind in development.

Signs of early labor include regular contractions, and the withdrawal of mucus plug and amniotic fluid. It is very important not to confuse training contractions, which accompany a woman throughout the third trimester, with real labor contractions. The first ones usually cause little pain and do not last more than 1-2 minutes. If the pain increases and there is a regular time interval between contractions, it is time to go to the hospital.

When the 35th week of pregnancy arrives, labor may begin spontaneously or be assigned by the doctor for medical reasons. Artificial delivery is necessary when the pathology threatens the health or life of the mother and child.

Discharges

Vaginal discharge, as before, are an important indicator for detecting abnormalities in the body of the expectant mother. Normal secretions at 35 weeks of pregnancy are homogeneous and not abundant, have a light color and do not smell. The manifestation of color indicates that the expectant mother needs an urgent consultation with a gynecologist.

Intimate life

An expectant mother who has a pregnancy without the threat of miscarriage, has no restrictions in intimate life. Nevertheless, she should be aware of the risks of continued sexual intercourse. Some gynecologists do not recommend intimacy at 35 weeks, explaining that the uterine cervix begins to shorten and push out the mucus plug that protected the birth canal from infections. In addition, sexual intercourse can cause uterine contractions. Doctors recommend that the mother and father of the baby be careful and hygienic if they decide to engage in sexual intercourse.

Recommendations for expectant mothers

• Enroll in birthing and nursing classes. It will help you learn more about your body and the baby, as well as take your mind off your worries.
• Decide on the maternity hospital where you will give birth. Many hospitals offer services for a fee, and pregnant women can choose an obstetrician-gynecologist at their discretion.
• Gather clothes and personal hygiene items that you will need in the maternity hospital. Always keep documents with you in case of a premature birth. Always better to be prepared!
• Prepare a dowry for the baby. For couples expecting girls and expecting boys, the last weeks of pregnancy are a great time to shop for clothes and care items that will be needed after delivery. Most likely, the doctor at the ultrasound has already announced the sex of the baby, and you can safely buy diapers for them.

Recommendations for nutrition and vitamins

The 35th week of pregnancy causes mothers many ailments, with which can be managed with the help of proper nutrition. It will be very helpful to try and minimize negative feelings, as well as provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

So, what does a mother and child need to stay healthy? First of all, iron and calcium, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins A and B are very important. All this is contained in dairy products, liver, heart, fish, cereals, as well as in spinach, fresh vegetables and fruits. To maintain water-salt balance in the body one should drink not less than 1,5 liters of water a day and completely exclude alcohol, coffee, and soda from their diet as well.

Fried, salty, peppered and smoked products harm your body. Baked goods and chocolate don’t do much good either. Given the small volume of the stomach, which is compressed by the growing uterus, it is best for the mother to eat in small portions. This will help to cope with heartburn and nausea.

Physical activity

If you have 35 weeks of pregnancy on the calendar, this is not a reason to refuse a physical lifestyle. A woman who wants to give birth to a healthy and fit baby should still take time to exercise. The main aspect is to maintain moderation in exertion and not to overexert yourself. Mobility and activity will:

• Strengthen muscles and establish blood flow to internal organs;
• To train proper breathing;
• Learn how to relax and tense the musculature;
• Reduce the risk of complications during childbirth;
• Recover quickly after childbirth.

During physical education classes, expectant mothers are not allowed to lift weights, perform jumps, or make sudden movements. A light workout that does not have a negative impact on your health should be chosen.

Required tests and analyses

At week 35, a pregnant woman should be seeing a gynecologist once a week. Before that, she has to take a urine test for protein, as well as a general clinical blood test. The doctor listens to the patient’s complaints, if any, and makes recommendations for treatment. At the gynecologist’s appointment, the following is performed:

• Control of the weight of the expectant mother (weight gain since the beginning of pregnancy should not exceed 12 kg);
• Measurement of blood pressure and examination for edema;
• Measure the height of the floor of the uterus and the circumference of the abdomen.

The data obtained are entered into an exchange card, with which the woman will go to the maternity hospital. This document contains all information about the course of the pregnancy, including the results of a screening test for genetic abnormalities that the woman undergoes in the first trimester (for hCG, AFP and estriol levels).

Ultrasound at 35 weeks of pregnancy

If a woman appointed an ultrasound during the 35 week of pregnancy, most likely the doctor did not like the results of tests, or the expectant mother herself feels unwell. Here are the most common reasons for which a gynecologist prescribes a study ultrasound:

• Cord entanglement around the fetal neck;
• Premature aging of the placenta;
• Disruption of placental blood flow;
• Abnormal placental blood flow; Too much or too little water.

Ultrasound findings will allow the doctor to choose a treatment strategy that will help maintain the health of the baby and mom. In addition, some indicators (such as cord entanglement) play an important role in determining the mode of delivery. In complicated cases, a cesarean section (also known as a C section) may be scheduled.