At 35 weeks, it may begin feeling like you'll be pregnant forever. But don't worry! With just five weeks left until you've reached full term, there are still preparations to be made ahead of delivery, and chances are good that these final weeks will fly by. 

Baby at 35 weeks pregnant

Currently, your little one has grown to about or a bit over 18 inches in length. He likely weighs about 5 ¼ pounds, putting him roughly at the size of a honeydew melon. At this point, he doesn't have much room left for movement in your uterus, and many of the kicks you might have felt during earlier weeks have slowed considerably.

Chances are good that he's assumed a head-down position near your cervix, with his feet up near your ribs in preparation for birth. By the 35-week mark, about 97 percent of babies have made the move to this position, but if your baby is in a breech position - with his bottom or feet facing your cervix as opposed to his head - don't panic. Your health care provider can try manually turning him through a process called external version, which includes putting pressure on your belly to encourage him to reposition.

In addition to building up his body weight to protect his internal organs, your baby's pupils are nearly fully developed and can now react and contract to changes in light. He's also learning how to suck in order to be ready for his first meal after birth. 

Your body at 35 weeks pregnant

Many women report feeling differently at the 35-week point in their pregnancy. Some may feel very tired, particularly as Braxton-Hicks contractions continue at greater frequency and your body and joints, especially, are more exhausted. Other women report feeling a little burst of energy at 35 weeks, and may be motivated to tackle their last few big projects ahead of baby's birth date. If you're in the latter group, keep in mind that it's important not to get overzealous and to ensure you get enough water and rest during your final trimester.

While you may have noticed vaginal discharge in earlier weeks, you may begin to see this discharge change in consistency and may even appear a little bloody. This is a normal occurrence. This discharge is your mucus plug, which helps seal the cervix and protect your baby. The beginnings of this mucus discharge can be an indicator that your body is getting ready for labor soon.

35 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Your ultrasound at 35 weeks provides a good sneak peek of what baby will look like once he's born. By now, his facial features are nearly fully developed, and things like his ears will appear clearly. His lungs are also now developed, and he's working on learning to breathe by drawing amniotic fluid in and out of his lungs.

You're likely now seeing your health care provider weekly leading up your due date. In addition to your ultrasound, your doctor may also use these appointments to check for a bacterium called group B streptococcus, which is harmless to adults but could cause some health issues if present during birth. Only about 10 to 30 percent of women have this bacterium, and if you are a carrier, you doctor will provide antibiotics through an IV during labor to protect your baby's health.

35 weeks is how many months pregnant?

At 35 weeks, you're eight months three weeks (8m3w) pregnant, with five weeks left until your full, 40-week term.

Common symptoms at 35 weeks pregnant

Because your little one - and your uterus - has grown so much, you may feel a bit uncomfortable. Your baby takes up quite a bit of space, and his growth can mean you feel a little pressure on your other internal organs. If you notice increased trips to the restroom or difficulty eating, you're not alone - these simple activities can become a bit challenging with baby pushing on your stomach and bladder.
Your baby's growing size may also affect the way you walk - many women being to waddle around this point in their pregnancy, due to baby getting into birth position and putting added pressure on your pelvis and legs. Don't worry though - you'll be able to stride normally after baby is born.

Pregnancy checklist at 35 weeks

As you round the corner into the final five weeks of pregnancy, here's a few things to consider:

• Finalize your birth plan: If you have lingering decisions to make about the specifics of your birth plan - including who will be there with you, what pain management strategies you'll use, etc. - now is the time to lock those items into place. You'll feel much more prepared and at ease with this plan ready.

• Prepare child care: Now is also a good time to finalize child care options after birth. This includes, especially, the first few days and weeks you return home from the hospital, as well as when you return from maternity leave.

What to Expect at 36 Weeks Pregnant