It’s time to decide on a birth plan! 35 weeks pregnant is the end of the eighth month of your pregnancy. Very soon, you will be giving birth to a new life.
When you are 35 weeks pregnant, your uterus is about 6 inches above the belly button. From this week onward, you need to have prenatal checkups each week until you give birth. Some pregnant women may be able to deliver a full-term baby at 37 weeks, while others must wait until 40 weeks.
Have you thought about the birth option? If everything goes well with you and your baby, you can choose a birth plan of your choice.
Most pregnant women are uncertain whether the home birth option is safer or not. For women who don’t have any problems throughout their pregnancy and have gone through good prenatal care, the home birth option is a safe one. However, talk with other people who gave birth at home previously and also with your health care provider. Symptoms of Pregnancy
Women with the below-mentioned complications can’t give birth at home:
- Placenta previa
- Multiple pregnancies
- Hypertension
- Premature labor
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia or eclampsia
- Active herpes simplex virus
- Abnormal positioning of the baby such as breech position
- Any problems in your previous pregnancy.Prevention of Gestational diabetes
Symptoms experienced
When you’re 35 weeks pregnant, your hormones may be driving you insane. Most women experience pregnancy mood swings during the last month. This is because of the anxiety about the pain that occurs during labor and delivery. You get relief from this condition when you discuss it with other women who have gone through the childbirth process earlier.
Difficulty sleeping is a very common symptom that becomes even worse when you are 35 weeks pregnant. Increased belly size makes it more difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position and makes you battle with those sleep disturbances. Leg cramps and frequent bathroom visits don’t help you sleep better. Use a maternity pillow to sleep comfortably, especially at night.
Braxton Hicks will become stronger this week. Though these are false labor pains, they can be very painful during this stage. Whenever you feel these false contractions, take a break and change your position. Oftentimes, a short walk helps to make the abdominal tightening go away.
Fatigue can also be a distressing problem for pregnant women over 35 weeks. Not sleeping well can also aggravate fatigue levels. Insufficient sleep may cause you to feel uncomfortable during the day. Taking frequent naps and breaks can help to ease the condition.
Physical changes that occur in a 35 weeks pregnant woman:
For some women, this week may bring the baby into a head-down position, while others still have their baby in the breech position. Giving birth in a cephalic, or head-down, position is more comfortable. Don’t worry if the baby is in the breech position; you still have 5 weeks to give birth.
This week, you may also notice the leakage of colostrum from your nipples. Breasts will look heavier and splashed with blue veins. So, make sure to wear comfortable maternity bras. A good supportive bra can help relieve the pressure on your chest and abdomen caused by heavy breasts.
The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus may start to decrease during this period. If you observe a premature rupture of the membranes, immediately check with your doctor. He/she will test the amniotic fluid and find out what it is.
You may notice a rapid or slow heartbeat. It is very common to experience heart palpitations due to the displacement of large blood vessels and the increased load on your heart. If you notice severe chest pain or difficulty breathing, immediately consult your doctor.
Fetal changes that occur in a 35 weeks pregnant woman:
When you are 35 weeks pregnant, the baby is almost 20.25 inches long and weighs 5.5 pounds. Usually, babies gain half a pound per week during the last month of pregnancy. This week begins your baby’s most rapid period of weight gain.
Babies born during or after this week have a 99% chance of survival. For baby boys, the testes have completed their descent. He/she is continuing to gain weight and store fat all over his or her body. The lungs are almost fully developed.
A 35-week-old fetus has an immature digestive tract. Because of more fat deposition, the baby’s legs and hands will look chubby, which you can observe in your 35-week pregnancy ultrasound. First Trimester
From this week on, there will be fewer fetal movements. The baby’s hearing system is almost fully developed, and he or she can clearly hear your voice. So, try to spend quality time with your baby.
The liver and kidneys are fully developed and have begun to function. The nervous system is continuing its development.
The lungs are still in their last stage of development. Even if you give birth during this week, he or she can survive outside the womb.
What care should be taken by a 35 weeks pregnant woman?
As these last 5 weeks have been very exhausting, taking enough rest can greatly help with your condition. If you notice any false labor pain, frequent walking is recommended.
Make sure that the diet is rich in iron, calcium, and fiber. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining an active lifestyle will help you get quality sleep at night.
Remember that the stress and anxiety that you feel may have a great impact on your child. Several studies have shown that a mother’s mental state has a significant impact on her baby’s development, particularly in the last month of pregnancy.
Now is the time to increase your hemoglobin levels. For this, you need to consume higher iron levels. Hemoglobin increases the production of blood, which is essential during the childbirth process because of the increased blood loss.
Have a wonderful pregnancy journey! Go on to know more about the exciting things during pregnancy week 36…
