For more information about week 35 in a twin or multiple pregnancy, tap here.
At 35 weeks, Baby is getting close to the size they’ll be at birth. Your little one will spend just a few more weeks growing in their very cozy quarters before greeting you with the sweetest snuggles in the outside world!
How’s Baby?
Many babies have now rotated from the breech position (head up) to turn head down into your pelvis. As they move into their birth position, Baby will then drop lower in your pelvis. If this is your first pregnancy, this may happen soon, even weeks before you give birth, though in later pregnancies it often doesn’t happen until just before labor or even after labor begins. If your baby is still breech, your provider may be discussing ways to encourage Baby to turn, or even offering you a procedure to assist them in rotating in the coming weeks.
At between 18 or 19 (45.7-48.3 cm) inches and 5-6 lbs (2.25-2.7 kg), the size of a bunch of carrots, Baby is getting close to the size they’re going to be at birth! Most of Baby’s organ and skeletal development is complete, although they’re still refining their abilities every day. Really, most of the work Baby has left to do is just growing heavier and stronger. In particular, Baby’s lovely lungs need a bit more time to prepare for the outside world.
What’s new with you?
Are you feeling ready to have Baby in your home and your life? Even if that question might be hard to answer emotionally, make sure you’ve done what you need to do to prepare for your little one’s arrival from a practical perspective, like getting your little one’s sleeping space set up with diapers, clothes, and any other basics, and looking into any necessary insurance changes you may want to make.
As you approach the end of pregnancy, you might notice that you’re leaking out a few drops of urine when you cough or sneeze. Although this experience is very common in pregnancy and postpartum, it means your pelvic floor needs some care and attention: pelvic floor exercises and therapy are a great way to help with those symptoms. Ask your OB provider for information or a referral!
You may be noticing an increase in vaginal discharge too. So, if you need some extra protection in your underwear, pantyliners, pads and period underwear can provide you with some extra insurance. Soon, any Braxton Hicks contractions you’ve been feeling may start to happen more frequently, last longer, and be more uncomfortable. Again, this is a normal part of your uterus preparing for birth, but since you’re still considered pre-term, be sure to let your provider know if you think you’re in labor.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
- “Lesson 10: Fetal Positions and Adaptations.” Brookside Press. Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. https://brooksidepress.org/ob_newborn_care_1/?page_id=97.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Kegel exercises: A how-to guide for women.” Mayo Clinic. September 15, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises/art-20045283.
- Rebecca Dekker. “Evidence on: Doulas.” Evidence Based Birth. Evidence Based Birth.May 4, 2019. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/.
- Mark A Curran, M.D. “Fetal Development.” Perinatology.com. Perinatology.com. March 31, 2019. https://www.perinatology.com/Reference/Fetal%20development.htm#1.
