Pregnancy at week 35
4-minute read
Your baby
Your baby now weighs more than 2.3kg and measures about 32cm from head to bottom. They are quite cramped and their legs are bent up into their chest, but they can still change position and kick you. They can swallow about a litre of amniotic fluid every day, which is passed as urine.
Don’t worry if your baby is still in the breech position (head up, feet down) – most babies will gradually turn into the head-down position during the last month. If your baby is still in the breech position during the next week or two, your doctor or midwife may try to turn them using a procedure known as External Cephalic Version (ECV).
Your baby at 35 weeks
| Length: | 32cm (head to bottom) |
| Weight: | 2.3kg |
Your body
You may be having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions by now. They feel like a tightening or cramping in your tummy, and they can happen as often as every 10 to 20 minutes in late pregnancy. They are your body’s way of preparing for the birth and are nothing to be worried about. You can tell if they’re Braxton Hicks and not real contractions because they normally go away if you move position.
They may be real contractions if:
- they get stronger or closer together
- they last longer as time goes by
- they are stronger when you walk
- you feel pain or pressure in your pelvis, abdomen or lower back
If you went into labour now it would be considered premature labour and you would need medical attention straight away. If you’re in doubt, contact your doctor or midwife.
Things to remember
If your pregnancy is high risk, your doctor or midwife will probably want to see you more often from now on.
One serious complication that can develop in late pregnancy is pre-eclampsia. This is usually diagnosed if your doctor notices you have high blood pressure or protein in your urine.
See your doctor straight away if you develop:
- a bad headache
- pain in the tummy
- blurry vision
- sudden swelling of your hands or feet
Read next
Your pregnancy at 36 weeks
Learn about your pregnancy journey and what is happening to you and your baby.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.