35 weeks pregnant
The 35th week of pregnancy is the period when 8.5 obstetric months are already behind. Each of them has exactly 4 weeks or 28 days. According to such calculations, a woman should give birth to a child after 10 obstetric months, that is, she has about 4-6 weeks before the onset of labor. During this time, the child must finally prepare for birth, although many babies born at 35 weeks can already breathe on their own.
Content:
- What happens to a baby at 35 weeks pregnant?
- Sensations
- Ultrasound and other examinations at 35 weeks of gestation
- What happens to a woman's belly?
- Weight
- Stomach pain at 35 weeks gestation
- Is an intimate life possible at 35 weeks of gestation?
- Discharge at 35 weeks
- If labor started at 35 weeks gestation, what should I do?
- What dangers can await a woman at 35 weeks of gestation?
- Factors negatively affecting fetal development
- Useful tips for pregnant women
What happens to a baby at 35 weeks pregnant?
By this time, the baby's body is already quite well developed and functions as a whole. Thanks to the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, the water-salt and mineral balance is maintained and maintained.
At 35 weeks, the baby continues to actively gain weight. The muscle mass increases, the reserves of subcutaneous fat are replenished. In a week, a child can gain about 220 g in weight, the total body weight is on average 2.5 kg, and his height reaches 47 cm.
The facial features of the child acquire individuality, the skin pattern is formed. The color of the baby's eyes now remains gray-blue, but very soon they will acquire the final color. The skin is gradually smoothed, folds and original fluff go away. Although in some places the lanugo can linger, and then the baby is born slightly shaggy. Skin color is already closer to pink than red.
The child's shoulders have become noticeably rounded. Very soon it will go down and get as close as possible to the pelvic floor.
A child at 35 weeks takes up the position in which he is ready to be born. In 95% of cases, the fetus lies head down. This is a physiological position that allows the child to pass through the birth canal as easily as possible. Although sometimes the baby lies down incorrectly. In this case, they speak of a breech or transverse presentation.
The baby's nails and hair continue to grow. Sometimes the marigolds reach an impressive length, protrude beyond the phalanges of the fingers, and the baby can scratch himself with them.
In boys, by this time, the testicles should normally descend into the scrotum. If this does not happen, then surgery will be required after birth.
At 35 weeks, the urinary and nervous system continues to improve, the original feces, meconium, began to accumulate in the intestines.
The bones of the skull have not yet grown together, which will allow the child to pass more easily through the birth canal.
In the mother's stomach, there is less and less room for active movements, therefore, the baby cannot turn over as freely as before.
The child begins to give an active reaction to sharp sounds, to changes in lighting: he squeezes his eyes shut, covers them with his hands, and can make quick movements with his limbs.
At the same time, the formation of the child's day regimen takes place, but after childbirth it is often corrected.
Sensations
Many women at this time complain of shortness of breath and shortness of breath. You should not worry about this, as relief will come very soon. Now the uterus is putting pressure on the diaphragm, which helps to reduce the volume of the chest. But when the stomach is down, breathing will become easier. It is likely that this will happen even at 35 weeks or a little later. For now, to make breathing easier, you can use this advice: you need to get on all fours, take a deep breath and exhale. The exercise should be repeated until there is relief. If suddenly shortness of breath increases, then it is better to consult a doctor about this.
In general, shortness of breath that occurs at 35 weeks gestation is a physiological phenomenon. After all, the fundus of the uterus is very high - at a distance of 35 cm above the pubic articulation (15 cm above the level of the navel). Naturally, this position of the uterus cannot but affect the lungs.
Women also often complain of insomnia. First of all, sleep disorder is associated with finding the most comfortable position. A large belly does not allow you to lie down comfortably. To make the rest of the highest quality, you can use special pillows for pregnant women, or roll the rollers out of the blanket yourself. They must be placed on both sides and go to bed on their side or half-sitting. Sleeping on your back for 35 weeks is unacceptable.
Many women cannot get enough sleep also because they often have to get up at night to use the toilet. The enlarged uterus presses not only on the diaphragm, but also on the bladder. Therefore, a woman has to empty it even if it is partially filled. To avoid this, you need to reduce the amount of fluid you drink before bed.
If insomnia continues to haunt a woman, then you should not rush to use sleeping pills.
To get started, you can try using the following tips:
- Take a walk in the fresh air in the evening;
- Listen to soothing music before bed;
- Ventilate the room;
- Eliminate unpleasant situations and stress;
- Read suitable literature;
- Refuse to watch programs and films containing scenes of violence;
- Limit communication with people who cause negative emotions.
In addition to insomnia and shortness of breath, most pregnant women at 35 weeks complain of such uncomfortable sensations as:
- Back pain that worsens if a woman is in a static position for a long time, for example, standing or sitting.
- Swelling of the lower and upper extremities.
- Heartburn.
- The appearance of spider veins on the legs.
- Hot flushes, increased sweating.
- Increased gas production and inability to control gas, especially when laughing, sneezing or coughing.
The woman's breast is being prepared for the upcoming feeding process. At 35 weeks, nipple discharge may appear - this is the first colostrum. Do not squeeze it out yourself. Moreover, the breasts should generally be left alone and should not be rubbed, pulled or pressed on the nipples. Such actions can provoke the onset of premature birth.
Ultrasound and other examinations at 35 weeks of gestation
Most often, by the 35th week of pregnancy, a woman has already undergone the third scheduled ultrasound scan. If she hasn’t done so, then you need to go for an ultrasound examination as soon as possible. During the procedure, the doctor evaluates the fetal heartbeat, motor activity, height and weight. The degree of maturity of the placenta is also established (the third degree of maturity is the norm), the readiness of the cervix for childbirth.
If any abnormalities are found, the doctor sends the woman for other studies, for example, for a Doppler scan of the vessels of the umbilical cord. Placental insufficiency is dangerous because it can lead to a delay in fetal development.
It is imperative that the volume and quality of the amniotic fluid are assessed during an ultrasound scan. When visualizing a coarse suspension in it, one should think about early delivery, as this indicates oxygen starvation of the fetus.
During the ultrasound, it becomes clear in what position the child is, whether there are any developmental defects.
Most gynecologists take a vaginal swab at this stage of pregnancy, which is necessary to assess the microflora. It is important that a woman does not have any infectious diseases at the time of delivery. Otherwise, there is a risk of infection of the child.
In addition, the pregnant woman donates blood for general and biochemical analysis, urine for the detection of protein in it. The hCG level at 35 weeks gestation is 2700-78100 mIU / ml.
Also, at the appointment, the doctor must measure the blood pressure, the woman's weight, the volume of her abdomen, the height of the fundus of the uterus. The doctor must listen to the fetal heartbeat.
The height of the bottom of the uterus should be 35 cm (+ or - 1-2 cm). If the uterus rises by more than 2-3 cm, then this indicates polyhydramnios.
What happens to a woman's belly?
The woman's belly, as already mentioned, rises to the maximum height. The navel protrudes forward and becomes darker in color. The skin on the abdomen is taut, which is why women often experience itching. These are temporary difficulties that will soon pass.
It is possible that at 35 weeks of gestation, a woman will first experience Brexton-Higgs contractions. They are training and prepare the uterus for the upcoming childbirth process. Such contractions are not very intense and do not cause severe pain, however, it is impossible not to notice them. The maximum duration of such contractions is 2 minutes, after which they pass on their own.
The larger the woman's belly becomes, the more the center of gravity shifts. This makes her clumsy and clumsy. Moreover, the risk of falls is significantly increased. Therefore, you need to be as careful as possible, do not make sudden movements, do not rush and do not be nervous. But this does not mean that physical activity should be reduced to zero.
Weight
Although the woman feels very large, on average she is gaining 12-13 kg of her original weight. A balanced menu and an active lifestyle allow you to prevent extra pounds from gaining.
Don't worry about putting on a lot of weight during pregnancy. To a greater extent, these figures are made up of the mass of the fetus, placenta, amniotic fluid, etc. Only the blood in the woman's body began to circulate a liter more. Therefore, after giving birth, the extra pounds will quickly go away.
With a significant increase in weight, and especially with its rapid set, a medical consultation is necessary. You may need to reduce your daily calorie intake. As a rule, you will have to give up flour and sweet dishes, but at the same time you need to enrich your menu with fruits and vegetables.
Stomach pain at 35 weeks gestation
Pain at 35 weeks of gestation is a completely natural phenomenon. Most often they occur in the legs, in the back, in the pubic region. Not surprisingly, the load on these zones has increased significantly. To relieve your back periodically, you can use a prenatal brace.
Good-quality and frequent rest helps to reduce pain in the lower extremities. You should not test your own strength and go hiking too long distances. It is necessary to change the position of the body every quarter of an hour.
Performing breathing exercises in combination with gymnastics for pregnant women relieve discomfort in various parts of the body well.
Daytime sleep helps to get rid of headaches. You also need to often ventilate the room, try to protect yourself from stress.
Sometimes women indicate painful sensations in the chest area. They are caused by the breasts becoming full and heavy. To make your life more comfortable, you can use a nursing bra now. The main thing is to choose it correctly. It is important that the bra did not press on the breast, did not squeeze it, but it was not too loose either.
Sometimes a woman may experience pain in the hypochondrium. They are especially noticeable when the baby starts kicking his mother from the inside. This is not surprising, because the child has already grown significantly.
Sometimes at 35 weeks of gestation, the abdomen drops, which leads to increased pain in the pelvic area and the pubic joint. Pain in the anus may indicate an exacerbation of hemorrhoids.
If painful sensations become unbearable or bother a woman for a long time, then it is imperative to seek medical help.
Is an intimate life possible at 35 weeks of gestation?
The question of the possibility of having sex at 35 weeks of gestation should be decided on an individual basis. If a woman feels well, and the doctor does not see any pathologies of pregnancy, then intimate life is not prohibited.
If earlier doctors believed that in the third trimester sex could provoke premature birth and were categorically against any intimacy, now their opinion has changed dramatically.
Many experts advise couples who are confident in each other's cleanliness to stop using a condom. The fact is that male sperm contains substances that make the cervix more elastic and prepare it for childbirth. Moreover, the use of a condom can provoke the development of an allergic reaction and lead to a violation of the vaginal microflora.
However, some rules must be followed during intimacy. For example, even minimal pressure on the abdomen should not be allowed. Therefore, it is better if the man is behind his partner.
Gynecologists recommend some women to refuse intimacy at 35 weeks of pregnancy. This applies to women expecting twins, and those whose fetus is in a breech presentation or transverse presentation, as well as pregnant women who are at risk of developing premature birth. Sexual intercourse should be stopped immediately if a woman experiences painful or uncomfortable sensations.
You cannot have sex after the mucous plug has come off, or if the sexual partner has sexually transmitted diseases.
Discharge at 35 weeks
The discharge should normally be light and transparent, or have a milky tint. They should not emit an unpleasant odor and should not contain foreign inclusions. In this case, we can talk about complete well-being in the woman's genitourinary system.
If the discharge changes color, becomes green, yellow, bloody, blistering or flocculent, then this indicates an infection. In this case, you need to go for a medical consultation as soon as possible.
The most common disease diagnosed in pregnant women is thrush. It is accompanied by swelling and itching of the genitals, the appearance of curdled clots in the discharge. They also give off a yeast smell. Thrush should be treated in the same way as any other genital infection. If this is not done, then there is a high probability of infection of the baby during his passage through the birth canal.
Also, mucus impurities can be found in the secretions. They indicate the passage of the mucous plug. This is a harbinger of imminent birth, therefore, if parts of the mucous plug are found, or if it has completely departed, you need to see a doctor.
The flow of water is indicated by streams of liquid streaming down the legs. In this case, you need to quickly call the ambulance team and go to the hospital. But even when the water flows out in small portions, you should not stay at home. This can be dangerous for the child.
If labor started at 35 weeks gestation, what should I do?
If childbirth began spontaneously at 35 weeks, then you should not panic. You just need to carefully follow the medical instructions, which will make this process as easy as possible.
Babies born at 35 weeks gestation are sometimes able to breathe on their own, but they are usually hooked up to a ventilator. In any case, the premature birth of a child requires a longer stay in the hospital.
The chances that a baby born at 35 weeks will be completely healthy in the future is very high. As a rule, such children are not lagging behind in development compared to babies born on time.
In order not to provoke premature birth on your own, you must adhere to simple rules: follow all the doctor's recommendations, observe personal hygiene and daily routine, eat a balanced diet, do special exercises, and minimize the impact of stress on the body. In this case, the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby in due time are significantly increased.
Relief of pain during labor. Which method is best for you?
What dangers can await a woman at 35 weeks of gestation?
One of the significant dangers at 35 weeks gestation is placenta previa. This happens when the placenta is not too tightly attached to the wall of the uterus, and then changes its position and prevents the birth of a child. Placenta previa is manifested by the appearance of bloody discharge in the last weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it is so important to regularly see a doctor in order to identify the existing threat in time.
Also, at the 35th week of pregnancy, a woman may worsen varicose veins and hemorrhoids. This is primarily due to a lack of calcium in the body, because the child continues to “take” it to build his own skeletal system.
If a woman gains a lot of weight by the 35th week of pregnancy, then the baby will be large. During labor, this can lead to perineal tears and an increased risk of fetal injury. Moreover, after childbirth, it will be more difficult to get rid of excess body weight, and even against this background, type 2 diabetes mellitus may develop.
Finally, the most formidable complication of pregnancy is gestosis, which can turn into eclampsia. In particularly difficult situations, emergency delivery by cesarean section is required. Even in developed countries, eclampsia still occupies a leading position among the complications leading to the death of women in labor and babies. The first signs of impending preeclampsia are an increase in blood pressure, a sharp swelling and a deterioration in general well-being. You cannot ignore such symptoms; you need to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Factors negatively affecting fetal development
A child in the womb is reliably protected by the membranes and the placental barrier. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to harm him. Of particular importance is what the expectant mother eats. If her diet is not balanced, then this may threaten the child's developmental delay. Overeating is no less dangerous, which often leads to more difficult childbirth.
It is impossible to allow such substances as alcohol, nicotine, drugs to enter the woman's body. The placenta is not an obstacle for them, therefore, even at a long period of pregnancy, they are able to provoke various malformations of the fetus and its death.
A woman should minimize contact with harmful substances, for example, with paints and varnishes, with insecticides and herbicides.
For any health problems, you should consult a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable, the more dangerous it is to prescribe medications on your own. They are able to penetrate into the blood of not only a woman, but also a child, thereby causing irreparable harm to his health.
Useful tips for pregnant women
- To reduce the heaviness in the abdomen and heartburn, you need to eat fractional and small portions. Fried and fatty foods should be removed from the menu, smoked and spicy foods should be abandoned.
- To reduce swelling, you need to reduce salt intake and drink less water. With pronounced edema, its daily volume should be no more than 1.5 liters.
- Walking outdoors should become a habit. To do this, you need to choose places far from gassed and dusty roads.
- It is important to track the number of fetal movements. There should be at least 10 of them per day.
- Any alarming symptoms should be adequately assessed, each deviation from the norm should be reported to the doctor.
Bags in the maternity hospital (No. 1, No. 3):
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
