35 Weeks Pregnant

Key Takeaways

• Your body: At this stage, it might feel like you’re all belly—and with good reason. Your uterus has grown to about 500 to 1,000 times its original size.
• Labor prep: Get to know the signs of labor. Braxton Hicks contractions will feel intense at this point; make sure they’re not getting stronger and more frequent. If they are, call your doctor.
• OB appointment: The Group B strep test will be happening in the next week or two. Your doctor will swab your vaginal area and rectum and have it tested for bacteria called Group B Strep. The bacteria is common, but can be harmful to baby. Don’t worry, if you’re positive, you’ll just be given intravenous antibiotics during labor to protect baby.

At 35 weeks, some moms-to-be feel like they have a ton of stuff left to do before baby’s arrival. Others can barely wait for baby to make their debut. Either way, try not to worry; baby will show up when they’re ready and won’t care if you haven’t checked every little detail off your list. For my first, I had an entire nursery ready to go. When I welcomed my third, I had my husband purchase a coming-home outfit from the hospital gift shop. As long as you’ve got a safe place for baby to sleep, some diapers and an infant car seat for the ride home, you’ve already got a bunch of baby’s basic needs taken care of. Don’t stress!

Video Highlights

Baby at Week 35

Baby’s hearing is now fully developed, and your 35-week fetus responds best to high-pitched noises. If you’re having a boy, his testes have likely fully descended at this point, and you may potentially be able to see this on a 35 weeks pregnant ultrasound. (Bet you hadn’t thought about that one!)

Baby’s weight

Your little one is putting on some weight right now, which may sound intimidating to Mom, but it’s really a good thing. Those extra pounds (or, more likely ounces) will help baby stay warm outside the womb.

Baby’s organs

At 35 weeks, your baby’s brain is continuing to grow. By now, it weighs about two-thirds of what it will at around 40 weeks. How neat is that?

How big is baby at 35 weeks?

At 35 weeks pregnant, baby measures in around 18.2 inches from head to heel. From here on out, they won't get much longer but will keep plumping up. Your 35-week fetus now weighs about 5.7 pounds, and will put on a pound or more of baby fat before you meet them.

35 weeks pregnant is how many months?

Thirty-five weeks pregnant is eight months pregnant, although doctors refer to your stage in pregnancy by week, not month. Just about five more weeks left!

35 week ultrasound

Wondering if you’ll get an ultrasound this week? Probably not—unless you’re considered high risk. This week or next, you may have a Group B strep test. For it, your doctor will take a swab of your vaginal area and rectum and have it tested for bacteria called Group B Strep. This bacteria is common and isn’t going to make you sick, but it could be harmful to baby if they’re exposed to it at birth, so knowing whether you have it is important. If you do, you’ll be given antibiotics during the birth to prevent exposure, and that’s that. Easy peasy.

Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 35

As you wrap up your eighth month, you’re probably feeling some of these 35 weeks pregnant symptoms:

Frequent urge to pee

Yup, your bladder is being pressed on by baby (or babies, if you’re 35 weeks pregnant with twins), who’s likely sitting pretty low in your pelvis, getting ready for birth. Don’t let the extra trips to the bathroom deter you from drinking lots of water, though—dehydration puts you at risk for preterm labor, so drink up.

Constipation

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Make sure to get plenty of fiber in your diet. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling with constipation, ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to take a fiber supplement or a stool softener.

Aches and pains in the hips and pelvis

These ouchies are continuing—and you may even be feeling a few new ones. While you’re dealing with discomfort, look on the bright side: It’s a sign your body is getting ready to deliver your baby. Yep, all of this pain actually has a purpose! Your ligaments are loosening so that baby can make their way out of your uterus and into the world.

Braxton Hicks contractions

At 35 weeks pregnant, you may have noticed an increase in the number of contractions you're having. It’s kind of crazy how hard your belly can get! Just keep an eye on those contractions; rest when you get them and drink lots of water.

Is it normal to be really tired at 35 weeks pregnant?

You are definitely not alone in feeling fatigued at 35 weeks! Your body’s aches and pains, your bursting bladder and your very active baby all make insomnia a very real possibility at this stage of your pregnancy. You may also be experiencing symptoms such as leg cramps or heartburn that can prevent you from sleeping soundly. Just try to get all the rest you can now—in a few weeks, it will be much harder to sleep with a new baby to love and care for!

Your Pregnant Belly at 35 Weeks

Growing, growing, growing. Yup, baby and you. Now that you’ve reached 35 weeks pregnant, your uterus has grown to about 500 to 1,000 times its original size, a number that might sound exaggerated to everyone else—but to you, it probably feels more like a million. You can expect to gain about a half-pound each week until you give birth.

When you’re 35 weeks pregnant, it’s a good idea to review the signs of labor. You may think this is early, but about 8.4 percent of singleton moms give birth prematurely, while moms who are 35 weeks pregnant with twins are close to being considered full term at this point.

Signs of Labor at 35 Weeks

This is not a drill! Here are signs of actual, call-the-OB-and-grab-your-hospital-bag labor:

Water breaking

You’ll know your water has broken if you experience something that’s less like discharge and more like a flow of water. It can happen in a big gush (like in the movies) or in a slow trickle that just keeps coming.

Painful contractions

Those Braxton Hicks have nothing on real contractions. If you’re suddenly feeling pain in your 35 weeks pregnant belly or back instead of some mild tightness, it could be time.

Regular contractions

True contractions happen regularly and don’t stop—they get more frequent, and more painful. Your doctor will probably tell you at what point to call and let them know about your contractions. A good rule of thumb is to call when contractions are about five minutes apart for a first pregnancy. If it’s not your first, call earlier—more like when they’re 10 to 15 minutes apart—because those labors tend to be much shorter.

Unsure if any 35 weeks pregnant symptom could be a sign of labor? Always call the doctor just to be safe.

Can baby be born at 35 weeks and be healthy?

Yes! While it’s still a couple more weeks until baby reaches “early term” at 37 weeks, they can still be born now and be just as healthy in the long run as one born later. Don’t be surprised if your doctor wants to extend baby’s hospital stay a bit just to make sure all is well.

Tips for 35 Weeks Pregnant

Feeling over it? We hear you. Don’t worry, your pregnancy journey will be over soon enough—and the reward will be worth it! In the meantime, here are some ways to stay busy this week.

Pack your hospital bag

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to prepare for delivery. There are things you’ll need (insurance information, photo ID) and there are things that you’ll want (socks, comfortable clothes for the trip home). Here’s a checklist if you need ideas for what to pack.

Use your pregnancy pillow

At the 35-week mark, this pillow has probably been a lifesaver for you. It helps you maintain that ideal left-side sleeping position, and it also relieves pressure on your hips while you’re lying in bed.

Watch your water intake before bed

There’s not a whole lot you can do about your frequent trips to the bathroom—it’s just part of being 35 weeks pregnant. Up all night? Limit how much water you drink in the hour or two before you go to bed to reduce the number of middle-of-the-night wake ups.

Eat more greens

They’re a great way to get more fiber in your diet to prevent constipation. Start with spinach or kale, add some lentils or roasted chickpeas (or go fruit-forward with pears, berries or apples) and top with sesame seeds or chopped almonds—they’re all tasty fiber-rich foods.

Wins, Challenges and Wisdom

You’re so close to meeting baby! Odds are you’re more than a little uncomfortable, but hang in there and know this too shall pass soon.

• Win: “My water broke at 35 weeks with my son and he spent zero time in the NICU. We were blessed that he was fully developed.” - kellim
• Challenge: “Holy hormones… As my due date draws closer, I am overwhelmed by anxiety of delivery and can't focus on the fact that we’re starting a family at the end of it. I have this overwhelming feeling that I won't love the baby and can't conceptualize what life is going to be like. We have wanted a family for so long but now I’m freaking out. And not even sure about what!?” - RG1
• Wisdom: “When baby is in my arms and when she smiles and squirms my heart just melts away and I think about how perfect she is and how much we both love her. She’s our huge life adjustment and while #TeamNoSleep has been difficult, she’s everything I would have wanted her to be and I’m looking forward to the months to come.” - frogdog06