Pregnancy Week 35
Baby’s Growth During the 35th Week of Pregnancy
In the head down position and packing on the pounds, your baby is now about 5 1/2 pounds and could be as much as 20 inches. All this growth hasn’t made for much room left in your uterus so while you’re probably not feeling the tiny circus you used to feel, being kicked and elbowed by your baby should still be fairly prominent.
At this point, most of the basic physical development is now complete. The kidneys are fully developed, the liver can process some waste products, and your baby’s head is still soft which allows for an easier exit through the birth canal.
Body Changes in the 35th Week of Pregnancy
When you first conceived your uterus was tucked inside your pelvis but it now reaches up under your rib cage. Inside your womb there is now more baby than amniotic fluid.
Starting this week, you will probably begin to see your doctor every week. Your doctor will be doing a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). Typically harmless, GBS could pass from Mother to child during birth and cause complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Between 10 to 30% of pregnant women have the bacteria and don’t know, it’s vital to be screened. If by chance you are a GBS carrier, you’ll receive an IV of antibiotic during labor, which will reduce your baby’s risk of infection significantly.
If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to start putting together your birth plan. A birth plan will help with the simple decisions that are made during labor like who will be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay once you have delivered. A birth plan is a great starting point for discussion with your doctor and the entire medical team present at delivery.
