The final weeks of pregnancy are often a blend of anticipation, excitement, and a touch of nervous energy. As you reach week 35, your body and baby are making significant final preparations for birth. It’s a time to lean into rest, trust your body, and continue gathering the information that helps you feel calm and clear.
What's happening with baby
At 35 weeks, your baby is now about the size of a honeydew melon, weighing around 5.5 pounds and measuring close to 18 inches. They're growing rapidly, gaining about half a pound each week, mostly in fat stores that will help them regulate their body temperature after birth.
A significant milestone this week is the hardening of your baby's bones. All of their bones are becoming more solid, except for the skull. The skull bones remain soft and flexible, with spaces between them called fontanelles. This design is quite remarkable, allowing the skull to compress slightly during birth, which can make passage through the birth canal a bit smoother.
Your baby's lungs are also nearing full maturity, producing more surfactant – a substance that helps the air sacs stay open. Their brain continues its incredible development, forming intricate connections. With less space to maneuver, your baby's movements might feel different now – perhaps more like stretches, wiggles, or shifts rather than strong kicks. It's still important to pay attention to your baby's movement patterns.
