35 weeks pregnant

Get together with your partner and talk through your birth plans

Don’t leave crucial arrangements until the last minute. Have an action plan ready for when you go into labour – it might be sooner than you think. Babies can arrive ahead of schedule, so make sure you and your partner feel confident about coping. Work out practicalities, such as organizing care for other children, or even the cat. Rope in your parents or friends to help if need be, pack your hospital bag, and relax.

1.The uterus has very little remaining space, so most babies lie curled up, with their limbs folded closely against their bodies.

2.At 36 weeks the average crown to heel length is 47.4cm (18.7in) and the average weight is 2.6kg (5.8lb).

3.The head may be starting to engage, dropping down lower in the pelvis towards the birth canal in readiness for the start of labour. Your midwife will be keeping a close check on the baby’s position.

4.The lungs are structurally complete and the air sacs, or alveoli, are producing a lubricant called surfactant, which will help to keep the sacs open when the baby takes her first lungful of air.

You have reached 36 weeks and your baby could arrive any time. We hope you enjoy these last several weeks of pregnancy. Do remember that every pregnancy is different and there’s usually no harm if a baby arrives a week or two early or late. By this week your baby should weigh approximately 2.6-3.1 kg.

What are you about to experience?

We understand that pregnancy symptoms are getting you down, like rushing to the bathroom every half an hour or constantly feeling tired, try to enjoy this last month of pregnancy. Whenever you feel tired, just remember that your baby will benefit from every last moment he/she spends in your womb.

Your baby’s development

The fine hair (lanugo) that covered you baby’s skin is beginning to disappear, along with the vernix caseosa (Vernix caseosa is the thick, creamy substance that has protected your baby’s skin while he/she was submerged in amniotic fluid.)

By this week your baby should be in the head down position, but do not worry if your baby is in breech position. If your baby is still not head down by next week, your doctor may suggest a caesarean.

Changes in you

This week you may undergo these two changes mentioned below:

• Pelvic Pain: You may be feeling pain in your pelvic region. This is because of the added pressure from your baby's head burrowing deeper and deeper into your pelvis and your heavier uterus weighing you down, and it's no wonder it's a pain to walk around these days. It’s a matter of a few more weeks.
• Baby drop: One day suddenly you’ll feel like you can breathe again. This is when baby drops down prepping for labour. This baby drop is also known as “lightening”.

Lifestyle Changes:

You’re obviously exhausted from carrying around your big belly. Even if this isn’t your first pregnancy, you must know that every pregnancy and each baby is different, so feeling a little anxious about what’s going to happen is perfectly normal. If you find that your anxiety is impacting your daily life or your relationships with the people around you, you should try to maintain a balance.

Nutrition for you

We can’t stress enough on the importance of nutrition for your baby’s development. These last weeks are crucial to help your baby put on the required weight.

1. Proteins: Proteins are critical at this stage of pregnancy. Your doctor may have already started you on some protein supplement. Add more protein to your diet by eating eggs, daal, sprouts and freshly made paneer. Stock your fridge with these items. Add a handful of sprouts to your soups and curries for that extra dose.  
2. Calcium: Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, paneer are very good during pregnancy because of the high calcium content. They also contain Vitamin D – which is also important during pregnancy.

Common worries

Some common issues you maybe facing at this time:

• Frequent Urination: Your baby might have dropped into your pelvis by now, pressing on your bladder. This means going to the bathroom almost every hour! But don’t cut back on liquids as your body needs them to stay hydrated now more than ever.
• Changes in fetal movement: As your baby gets more cramped in your belly, he/she has less room to move, expect his/her movements to change too. You will still feel the baby moving, but there will be less kicking and a lot more squirming.

What do the experts suggest?

“As your baby continues to grow, there’s less room for him to move. While the baby’s movements have most likely slowed down, you should still feel them. If you notice a decrease in movement (less than 10 movements in an hour) or if you are concerned about your baby’s movement, visit your doctor. It’s always better to play it safe and get it checked.”

Dr. Sangeeta Malhotra

Medical Superintendent

CGHS Maternity and Gynea Hospital, Delhi

What do some of the moms say?

Let’s hear what moms have to say.

 “Last few weeks can be a mixture of anxiety and excitement. I experienced this with my first born but I was surprised that I felt the same when I was expecting my second child. Although I had already been in the situation before, it still felt strange,” shares Kiran Chhabra.

“When I visited my doctor for a regular check up, at 36 weeks, I was told that my baby still hadn’t come in the head-down position. But I was told to be patient as some times babies take their own sweet time. Thankfully my daughter went in head down position over the coming weeks, leading to a normal delivery,” says Tanya Pasricha.

Seasonal Pregnancy Care

Summer: Wear breathable fabrics so you won't sweat; this will keep you cooler and help prevent heat rashes. In the summers, rashes usually develop under your breasts and abdomen, a common problem for pregnant women. Keep the skin folds dry and sweat free. You may switch from regular bras to maternity bras. Another good option is to ditch the bra completely in favour of a maternity tee shirt that has in-built support. Unlike regular bras, these tee shirts, provide support to your breast but without the elastics and the hooks.

Monsoon: Dehydration is a common problem of pregnancy in monsoons. To stay hydrated you must drink water regularly. Also, the heat and humidity can add onto the exhaustion. Listen to your body and rest and relax when you need to.

Winter: Whenever you step outside, wear gloves, hat, cap and muffler to protect you from the harsh cold winds. Fight off the winter blues with keeping yourself in cheerful company.