35 Weeks Pregnant

During this thirty fifth week of pregnancy, your baby's growth has been progressing at a remarkable pace. But the next three weeks could bring your baby's most rapid weight gain yet—at least half a pound a week.

She already might be close to her birth length, near 45 cm from head to toe, and she continues to build up necessary fat, especially in her shoulders.

Within your now-crowded uterus, your baby might shift her movements from kicks and punches to more rolls and wiggles, and her brain development is advancing quickly.

If this is your first pregnancy, your baby might have already settled into a head-down position in your pelvis. This is the ideal position for delivery because your baby's head is the biggest part of her body.

Your baby’s placement in your uterus can vary greatly—whether she is facing right or left, and is head-first or feet-first. Throughout early and mid-pregnancy, your baby floats in your uterus and changes positions often. When you're between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, she should rotate to a head-down position for labor and delivery.

Lying sideways is called a transverse position.

Head-first is called the vertex position.

Feet-first is called the breech position.

If your baby is breech but is not too far down into your pelvis, your doctor might try to turn her into the proper position a few weeks before your due date.

It's more important than ever to maintain your energy with balanced nutrition and regular exercise. Try to keep up the regimen you’ve maintained through your pregnancy instead of introducing something new or stopping what’s working.

Meeting your daily calcium needs can be hard.

By now you’ve likely established a routine to meet the daily nutritional needs of you and your growing baby. However, many expectant moms might want to switch things up to get some variety. Here are some different ways to get your recommended daily calcium intake:

Have low-fat milk or calcium-fortified soy milk on breakfast cereals and in cooking

Blend nonfat milk or calcium-fortified soy milk with fresh fruit to make a fruit shake or smoothie.

Try low-fat or frozen yoghurts.

Most of your doctor visits will be the same as previous checkups, with a few additions:

Your doctor probably will screen you using a routine test for group B streptococcus (GBS). This bacterium (not related to strep throat) usually lives harmlessly in the vagina of 10% to 35% of healthy women.

Although GBS poses no risk to you, your baby can pick it up during delivery.

If you test positive for GBS, you probably will be given antibiotics during labor to protect your baby.

Your doctor also might check your baby's position to see if she's moved into place for delivery.

Your doctor will feel your baby's position from the outside of your abdomen. As you get closer to your due date, your doctor might perform a vaginal exam to check your cervix.

Your doctor will confirm which part of your baby's body is farthest down in your pelvis. In most cases, it will be the head.

Putting a plan in place

Working out the details now can lead to a smoother labor and delivery later.

Know the way to the hospital and how long it takes to get there.

Have a backup route ready just in case.

Know who will take you to the hospital and how to reach your partner.

Make preparations if you have other children or pets.