Pregnancy Week 35: Baby’s Continued Growth and Final Preparations
Pregnancy week 35 continues the third trimester and brings you closer to the final weeks before your baby arrives. At this stage, your baby is growing steadily and continuing to gain weight as the body prepares for life outside the womb.
Many women notice their baby’s movements remain strong, although the type of movement may change slightly as the baby becomes larger and space inside the uterus becomes more limited. Instead of sharp kicks, you may feel more stretching, rolling, or shifting movements.
Your body is also preparing for labor and delivery. As your baby moves lower into the pelvis, you may begin to notice new sensations such as pelvic pressure or increased trips to the bathroom.
Although these changes can feel uncomfortable at times, they are typically normal signs that your body is preparing for your baby’s arrival.
Baby Development at Week 35
At thirty-five weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon and continues gaining weight each week.
Your baby’s body is continuing to build fat beneath the skin. This fat helps your baby maintain body temperature after birth and supports healthy growth.
Your baby’s organs are continuing to mature, including the brain, lungs, and digestive system. Although most major systems are already developed, these organs continue refining their functions during the final weeks of pregnancy.
Your baby’s bones are becoming stronger, although the skull bones remain soft and flexible. This flexibility helps the baby move through the birth canal during delivery.
Your baby’s movements may feel different now as space inside the uterus becomes tighter. Instead of large kicks, you may feel more pushing, stretching, or shifting movements.
Common Symptoms During Week 35
Common experiences during week 35 include:
Frequent urination
Pelvic pressure
Back discomfort
Fatigue
Strong baby movements
Frequent urination may occur because the baby’s position places pressure on the bladder. As your baby moves lower into the pelvis, this pressure may increase.
Pelvic pressure is also common as your baby continues settling into a lower position in preparation for birth.
Although these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are often signs that your body is preparing for labor.
Changes in Your Body
Your uterus has grown significantly and is now taking up much of the space in your abdomen.
As your baby moves lower into the pelvis, some women may notice changes in breathing or pressure in the lower abdomen.
Your center of gravity may continue shifting as your baby bump becomes more prominent. This shift may affect posture and sometimes contribute to back discomfort.
Your body is also producing increased blood volume to supply oxygen and nutrients to your baby through the placenta.
Some women may notice mild swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands due to increased circulation.
Understanding Baby Movements
By week 35, baby movements remain strong even though space inside the uterus is more limited.
You may feel stretching movements, rolling sensations, or shifting as your baby adjusts position.
Regular movement is often reassuring and helps confirm that your baby is active and developing normally.
Every baby has their own movement patterns during pregnancy.
Helpful Tips for Week 35
Prepare your hospital bag
Rest when your body feels tired
Stay hydrated
Continue gentle physical activity such as walking
Preparing your hospital bag ahead of time can help reduce stress as you approach your due date.
Resting when needed and allowing your body time to recover can also help manage fatigue during the final weeks of pregnancy.
Track Your Pregnancy Progress
Track your pregnancy week and milestones here:
This tool helps you track pregnancy stages, important milestones, and your estimated due date.
Preparing for Labor
As pregnancy enters the final weeks, many parents begin focusing on preparing for labor and delivery.
This may include learning about the signs of labor, preparing baby essentials, and reviewing birth plans with healthcare providers.
Helpful guides and resources can be found here:
Learning what to expect during labor and the early days of newborn care can help you feel more confident as your baby’s arrival approaches.