35 weeks pregnant: symptoms, swelling & baby development

You at 35 weeks pregnant: swelling and how to manage it

Your face might be puffy in the morning, and your feet and ankles might be swollen by the afternoon or evening.

You could try:

putting your feet up as much as you can
doing some light walking or other light exercise each day
rethinking your footwear.

If your fingers, ankles or feet suddenly become swollen, or you’re experiencing headaches or changes to your vision like blurred vision, call your doctor or midwife straight away.

pregnancy illustration, week 35

Your baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy

How big is your baby at 35 weeks?

Your baby is about 32 cm long from head to bottom and weighs about 2.3 kg.

What’s happening with your baby’s development at 35 weeks?

Your baby:

has got sucking and swallowing under control now
has fully formed toenails and fingernails.

Will your baby be head down by 35 weeks?

Your baby might be in the head-down position now. If your baby is still in the breech position, don’t worry. In the last month, most babies will turn into the head-down position.

Group B streptococcal (GBS): what it is and why you might be tested

Group B streptococci (GBS) are bacteria that often live in the vagina and anus. They don’t usually harm you. But if the bacteria pass to your baby during birth, it could cause an infection that might make your baby very sick.

At about 35-37 weeks, your doctor or midwife might ask you to take a swab from your bottom and vagina to see whether you have GBS. If you do, you’ll be offered intravenous antibiotics during labour to lower the risk of infection to your baby. If you don’t have the swab but you have certain risk factors for GBS, you’ll also be offered antibiotics during labour.

Things to think about at 35 weeks: preparing for labour

As the birth gets nearer, it’s natural to think about labour and how you might manage it.

Knowing what to expect from labour can be a big help, especially if you’re worried. Talk with your doctor or midwife, ask questions and go to antenatal classes if you haven’t already.

Our new baby checklist can help you get your home ready for your new baby’s arrival. You might check things like your baby’s child car seat, cot, nappies and clothes. Packing your bag for hospital can also help you get ready for labour and birth.