Your Pregnancy: Week 35

Not much has changed from the last week or so. Your baby is getting bigger and you’re probably feeling very pregnant and ready to meet your little one already! Getting comfortable is still challenging and you’re still running to the bathroom frequently.

Frequent urination
If you’re dealing with incontinence, consider purchasing some maternity incontinence pads and of course, continue practicing your Kegel exercises. Contract your pelvic floor muscles for 3 to 5 seconds and repeat throughout the day. This will help strengthen your pelvic floor which will help you during pregnancy, but keep it up regularly — a strong pelvic floor will serve you well into menopause.

At 35 weeks pregnant you are officially 8 months pregnant and have just one month left to go!

Ultrasounds are sometimes performed between 35 and 37 weeks to rule out any fetal abnormalities. A study performed by the Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology journal found that some fetal anomalies are found for the first time in ultrasounds during the third trimester weeks.

At 35 weeks, you may notice your pregnant belly a tightening or hardening feeling tight. This is likely due to Braxton-Hicks contractions which do not lead to labor, they’re simply helping to prepare your body for labor and delivery. Because your growing belly has likely thrown off your center of gravity, its important to take special care to when descendng stairs or even just moving around. Your balance may feel off quite a bit lately.

• Be sure to use or invest in a pregnancy pillow in these final weeks, if you haven’t done so already.
• Make sure that your hospital bag is packed and ready to go! Read up on what is necessary to bring along and what you can leave at home.

• Begin making meals that you can freeze. Having a well-stocked refrigerator and freezer will be a lifesaver when baby finally arrives.
• Load up on diapers, then when you think you have enough, get a few more — you’ll be surprised how many diapers a newborn goes through in the first few weeks.

If you find yourself getting full quickly each time you eat, consider eating smaller portions at regular intervals. Try eating 5 or 6 smaller meals throughout the day to keep you full but not feeling so stuffed and overwhelmed that you can’t move.

Continue including healthy foods in your diet such as:

• Cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower)
• Fish and lean protein
• Eggs and dairy

If you’re having cramping with bleeding or experiencing fever, call your doctor. While Braxton-Hicks contractions are normal, at this point in your pregnancy labor could happen at any time. If contractions don’t ease up after laying down or drinking water, begin monitoring how far apart they are and contact your doctor if you think you might be in labor.

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of illness as a result of a COVID-19 diagnosis and those diagnosed with COVID-19 have an increased chance of delivering pre-term (before 37 weeks), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Note: If you are visiting your doctor during COVID, be sure to confirm that the doctor’s office is following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

Depression during pregnancy is common. With expectations, anxiety, and stress, it’s no wonder you may be having feelings of overwhelm and discontent. While it’s normal to feel anxious and emotional, there are stages and ranges of feelings that need to be addressed during pregnancy.

Consistent sadness, hopelessness, or anything that makes you feel like you’re not yourself should be addressed with your doctor. There is no shame in reaching out for help. Even if you don’t think your feelings are intense, if you start to feel in any way out of the ordinary or withdrawn, reach out for assistance.