You’re 35 weeks pregnant! There are five more short weeks to go until you meet your baby! In some ways it might feel like you’ve been pregnant forever, but in other ways it’s flown by so fast…
Your baby’s development
This week your baby is the size of a… honeydew melon.
The position your baby has been lying in has probably changed now, or if it hasn’t yet, it soon will. For weeks your baby’s head will have been slowly pushing up against your lungs and rib cage, but now it should be moving down towards your pelvis so your baby is upside down and ready for delivery. You might notice an almighty movement in your belly as your baby somersaults into position; or he might do it slowly and gradually so you don’t even notice the dramatic change.
Once he’s head down, you’ll notice your baby’s movements decrease slightly. This is not something to be alarmed about, it’s purely down to space. Keep an eye on movements though; you should notice some kind of normal pattern and level of regular movement for your baby. If there is a rapid decrease, movement stops or you have any worries, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or midwife. Trust your instincts.
Your physical pregnancy changes
Other than the frustration of not being able to sleep, mood swings and general impatience, you’ll find your heart rate may increase this week. This is because your body continues to work overtime to deal with the extra load on your heart. Don’t panic if you feel your heart flutter or any palpitations (unless they become painful or cause you any breathing problems, in which case see your doctor); they’re perfectly normal.
Other physical effects of the pregnancy you may experience include:
· Increase in colostrum leaking from your nipples.
· More noticeable veins in your breasts which are bluish in colour.
Your health and fitness during pregnancy
The next few weeks are going to remain pretty much the same where health and exercise are concerned. You’re likely to be feeling too tired for full-on exercise so slow and gentle walking or yoga are the best ways to keep active.
The main points to remember here are not to push yourself, eat healthily and listen to what your body is telling you.
Your week 35 pregnancy checklist
·Keep an eye on your baby’s movements.
·Check you have all aspects of your birth plan in place.