What I Need to Know at 35 Weeks Pregnant

Breast milk is best for your baby

Breast milk is best for babies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. At around six months of age (but not before 4 months), infants should receive nutritionally adequate and age-appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.

Abbott Singapore fully recognises breast milk's primacy, value and superiority and supports exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the WHO.

The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. The HPB recommends that infants start on age-appropriate complementary foods at around 6 months, whilst continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond to meet their evolving nutritional requirements. If no longer breastfeeding, toddlers can switch to full cream milk after 12 months. This should be complemented by a good variety of solid foods from the four main food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and alternatives). For more information on the nutritional requirements of infants and young children, please visit www.healthhub.sg/earlynutrition.

THIRD TRIMESTER / WEEK 35

35th Week of Pregnancy

Your Baby: Positioned for Birth?

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 35 Weeks Pregnant

During this 35th week of pregnancy, your baby's growth has been progressing at a remarkable pace as your due date draws near. But the next three weeks could bring your baby's most rapid weight gains.

• Your baby probably continues to gain at least a half a pound a week.
• During the 35th week of pregnancy, she already might be close to her birth length, near 18 inches from head to toe, and she continues to build up necessary fat, especially in her shoulders.
• Within your now-crowded uterus, your baby might shift her movements from kicks and punches to more rolls and wiggles.
• Her brain development continues to advance quickly.
• Your baby already might have settled into a head-down position in your pelvis, if this is your first pregnancy. This is the ideal position for delivery because your baby's head is the biggest part of her body.
• Position refers to your baby's placement in your uterus — whether he is facing right or left or is headfirst or feetfirst. Your baby floats in your uterus and changes positions often throughout early and mid-pregnancy. When you're between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, your baby usually rotates to a head-down position for labor and delivery.
  • Headfirst position is called the vertex position.
  • Feetfirst position is called a breech position.
  • If your baby is breech but is not too far down into your pelvis, your doctor might try to turn your baby into the proper position a few weeks before your due date.
  • Lying-sideways position is called a transverse position.

Your Changing Body When You're 35 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 35 weeks pregnant, your body continues to make internal adjustments and preparations for your baby's birth.

• Your cervix already might begin to dilate or open very slightly to get ready for birth in a few weeks.
• When this begins, you might notice a sharp pain in your vagina. This doesn't mean you're in labor.
• Some women begin dilating in the few weeks, days, or even hours before labor.
• You might continue to feel practice contractions this week. Remember, these contractions will not settle into a regular rhythm.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 35 Weeks Pregnant

During this busy time of preparation, it's more important than ever to maintain your energy and strong health with balanced nutrition and regular exercise.

• You are probably visiting your doctor every two weeks now. Most of these visits will be the same as previous checkups with a few additions:
  • Your doctor probably will screen you using a routine test for group B streptococcus (GBS).
  • This bacterium (not related to strep throat) usually lives harmlessly in the vaginas of 10% to 35% of healthy women.
  • Although GBS poses no risk to you, your baby can pick it up during delivery.
  • If you test positive for GBS, you probably will be given antibiotics during labor to protect your baby.
• Your doctor also might check your baby's position to see if she's moved into place for delivery.
  • Your doctor probably will feel your baby's position from the outside of your abdomen. As you get closer to your due date, your doctor might perform a vaginal exam to check your cervix.
  • Your doctor will confirm which part of your baby's body is farthest down in your pelvis. In most cases, it's your baby's head

Putting a Plan in Place

Working out the details now can lead to a smoother labor and delivery later!

• Be sure both you and your partner know the way to the hospital and how long it takes to get there, from home or work. Do a practice run, if necessary!
• Have a backup route ready in case of poor weather or traffic problems.
• Have a plan for each time of day (or night). Who will take you to the hospital? How do you reach your partner?
• Make preparations if you have other children or pets.

Preplanning Quick List

• Are the phone numbers for your doctor, partner, and sitter in one place?
• Are your maternity benefits and leave paperwork complete?
• Are you preregistered at the hospital?
• Do you know when to call the doctor if labor has begun?
• Who will drive you if it's during the day or at night?
• Where do you park?
• Is videotaping allowed?
• What are the hospital's visitor policies?

Practice makes perfect! If you've already finished your childbirth classes, don't forget to practice breathing, relaxation, or stretching techniques. This way you'll be ready to use them when the time comes!

What I Need to Know at 35 Weeks Pregnant

Source: https://abbottfamily.com.sg/pregnancy-guide/week/35

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