Are you wondering: 35th week of pregnancy, which month is it? Could uterine contractions at 35 weeks of pregnancy mean labor is beginning? Can a premature baby from the 35th week of pregnancy breathe independently, without the support of medical equipment? If you are looking for answers to these questions and wondering what a baby looks like at XNUMX weeks of pregnancy, read on.
We dispel all doubts: 35th week what month is this?
There's not much time left until delivery. That's why those around pregnant women often wonder what month of pregnancy they're in, saying they're just entering their 35th week (34.1-35 weeks pregnant). This is the end of the 8th month, or the third trimester.
As a reminder, a full pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, and a full-term pregnancy is considered to be from the beginning of the 37th week of pregnancy.
It's a good idea to have a delivery bag ready , and the contents should be known to a family member, such as the baby's father, who will be the birth companion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some facilities have restricted the presence of a birth companion in the delivery room. From the 35th week of pregnancy, it's a good idea to stay up-to-date on this information on the hospital's website or call their information hotline.
Can the discomforts of the 35th week of pregnancy be avoided?
Burning heartburn, constipation, and frequent urination can effectively ruin your mood, which isn't helped by leg cramps, shortness of breath, back pain, or rib pain. Some women experience these symptoms more intensely, while others experience extra energy, fueling them to go on their last pre-labor shopping spree.
That's why, at 35 weeks pregnant, online parenting forums can be awash with advice from expectant mothers, often wildly different. While most of these pregnancy ailments can't be completely avoided, they can be effectively alleviated. Above all, it's worth discussing them with your doctor and midwife. No expert opinion on 35-week pregnancy ailments can replace expert advice. Online forums are often overflowing with comments that, despite good intentions, can sometimes create confusion and heighten anxiety in expectant mothers.
Advice for 35 weeks of pregnancy
- Certainly it is worth using at this time perineal massage, which helps minimize the risk of rupture and the need for an incision during childbirth. With the use of e.g. coconut oil or sweet almond oil, daily for 5 minutes. massage the area between the vestibule and the anus with circular movements of the fingers. In the 35th week of pregnancy, when your belly is big, you can ask your partner for help.
- The child actively stores iron and calcium in its body, therefore, especially during this period of pregnancy, it is good to eat plenty of fresh, green leafy vegetables, beetroot, dairy products and offal, e.g. liver.
- We also do not forget about vitamin C, which is necessary for iron absorption. You will find her, among others in paprika, kiwi or Brussels sprouts.
- Also remember about moderate physical activity: in 35 weeks of pregnancy, walking and yoga during pregnancy will certainly help to relieve stress and prepare better for childbirth, both physically and mentally.
Should abdominal cramps and hardening be worrying at 35 weeks of pregnancy?
During this period, uterine contractions are most often caused by the uterus preparing for actual labor. These are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, also known as pre-labor contractions. They are irregular, non-increasing, and subside during rest. They can cause a sensation that pregnant women often describe as abdominal hardening. In the third trimester, pre-labor contractions are a completely physiological symptom and should not cause concern (they are, however, a signal to slow down and rest).
Some women also complain of period-like abdominal pain at 35 weeks, which raises concerns about preterm labor. This discomfort may be caused by the increased pressure of the now-large baby on the pubic symphysis, which is also strongly influenced by relaxin . This hormone relaxes the pelvic muscles and ligaments in preparation for labor.
Remember, if uterine contractions increase, radiate strongly to the loins and groin, and their frequency increases even when you rest (more than 8 contractions a day), do not hesitate to go to a doctor who will perform a CTG test. Be sure to go to the hospital also when in the 35th week of pregnancy you notice: brown or bloody spotting from the genital tract, the mucus plug and amniotic fluid (especially greenish).
We are entering 35 weeks of pregnancy: what does the baby look like?
The tiny human being developing in the uterus at this time has the appearance of a newborn we associate with family photos and movies. Therefore, preterm labor, occurring at 35 weeks of pregnancy, brings into the world a baby only slightly slimmer and smaller than those born at term. At this time, babies' lungs are almost fully developed, but some late premature babies born at this time will still require intensive medical care, including respiratory support.
What else does the baby look like at 35 weeks of pregnancy?
His head already has more or less abundant hair , and his face has eyebrows and eyelashes . Babies at this stage of pregnancy measure about 45-47 cm, but both the amount of body hair and its length are largely determined by genetics . The baby sucks its fingers, drinks amniotic fluid, and then urinates in it (up to 0,5 liters of urine per day!).
In the 35th week of pregnancy, scientists also observed the first dreams (most often they concern what the baby knows, i.e. touch and sounds).
35 weeks of pregnancy baby weight: norms
In the third trimester, the fetus gains about 200 grams per week, so by the 35th week of pregnancy, it typically weighs around 2,2-2,5 kg. What if your baby deviates from these numbers? First and foremost, ask your doctor about this during your appointment. In the 35th week of pregnancy, a baby's weight has specific norms, which are included in the so-called percentile charts.
During an ultrasound examination, the gynecologist will be able to estimate the fetal weight based on measurements such as:
- circumference of the abdomen and head;
- femur length.
If the weight is not within the optimal ranges for a given week of pregnancy, the specialist will certainly inform the future mother about it. If you still have any concerns about your baby's weight, please don't hesitate to ask additional questions.
Could the baby's movements be less intense in the 35th week of pregnancy?
With each passing week, the baby has less and less space available in its mother's belly, so it instinctively limits its physical activity. It sleeps a lot and practices other bodily functions, such as sucking, swallowing, and breathing. However, after main meals and while you're resting, you should be able to observe your baby's movements at 35 weeks of pregnancy. Lie on your left side and begin observing.
You should count about 10 baby movements in an hour. Sometimes, together with your family and friends, you can observe how the belly in the 35th week of pregnancy almost "comes to life", and under the skin of a pregnant woman you can see the movement of, for example, small feet or hands. Many future parents capture these unforgettable moments in a short film (with a filmed phone or camera), keeping it as a souvenir.
What tests should be performed in the 35th week of pregnancy?
The doctor will likely recommend standard diagnostic tests, such as a complete blood count and a urinalysis. Between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy, the gynecologist will refer the pregnant woman for additional tests:
- HBS antigen;
- HIV testing (if not ordered after 33 tc);
- vaginal and rectal culture screening for B-hemolytic streptococci (GBS).
These are also the last weeks to consider recommended vaccinations during pregnancy: COVID-19, influenza, and whooping cough. The antibodies obtained after vaccination are passed from the mother to the baby through blood flowing through the umbilical cord.
Consultation :
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
