Nurturing Your Baby at Week 35: What to Expect and How to Prepare
A Comprehensive Guide to Your Baby's Development, Pregnancy Symptoms, and Self-Care Tips for Week 35
What's Happening with Your Baby?
- Rapid weight gain: Your baby will be gaining approximately half a pound per week.
- Full formation of kidneys and liver: Your baby's vital organs are now fully developed and functioning.
- Practice breaths: Your baby will practice breathing by inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid.
- Fat accumulation: As your baby gains weight, fat deposits will help regulate body temperature after birth.
Pregnancy Symptoms
- Braxton Hicks contractions: You may start experiencing irregular contractions as your body prepares for labor.
- Increased pressure in the pelvic region: As your baby descends, you may feel more pressure and discomfort in your lower abdomen and pelvis.
- Shortness of breath: The growing baby continues to put pressure on your diaphragm, causing difficulty in breathing.
- Swelling: Fluid retention may cause swelling in your feet, ankles, and hands.
Self-Care Tips
- Maintain a balanced diet: Focus on consuming nutrient-rich foods to support your baby's growth and your overall health.
- Regular exercise: Continue with gentle exercises such as walking or prenatal yoga, but avoid any strenuous activities.
- Rest and elevate your feet: To reduce swelling, elevate your feet whenever possible and ensure you're getting adequate rest.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization can help you prepare for labor and manage stress.
Medical Advice
- Group B streptococcus (GBS) testing: Your healthcare provider may perform a swab test to check for GBS bacteria, which can be harmful to your baby during birth.
- Routine prenatal checkup: Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your blood pressure, weight gain, and baby's growth.
As you enter week 35 of your pregnancy journey, you may be feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. Your baby is putting on weight rapidly and practicing essential skills like breathing, while you may be experiencing new symptoms and preparing for the upcoming labor.
Your baby's rapid weight gain is an essential developmental milestone, as it will help regulate their body temperature after birth. As your baby grows, you may feel increased pressure in your pelvic region, which is entirely normal. To alleviate discomfort, try doing pelvic floor exercises or using a pregnancy support belt.
It's important to continue focusing on your own health and well-being during this time. Eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients like protein, iron, and calcium will help support both you and your baby. Gentle exercise, like walking or prenatal yoga, can help maintain your strength and flexibility, while also improving your mood and sleep quality.
As your delivery day approaches, practicing relaxation techniques can be a helpful way to manage stress and prepare for labor. Breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization can help you feel more in control and confident in your ability to give birth.
During week 35, you'll likely have a routine prenatal checkup, where your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure, weight gain, and baby's growth. They may also perform a group B streptococcus (GBS) test, as GBS bacteria can pose risks to your baby during birth if left untreated.
As always, it's important to communicate any concerns or questions with your healthcare provider, as they can offer personalized guidance and support. Enjoy this exciting time as you nurture your baby and prepare for their arrival into the world.
