Week 35 of pregnancy
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Your baby this week
About the size of a small watermelon
Source: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
Your baby's development
Your baby is about 46.2 cm long and weighs about 2.4 kg.
Baby switches from punching and kicking to curling up and wriggling. Lucky for everything in the house that it's all still safe and in its proper place – it won't be long before you get used to finding your toothbrush on the dining table and your lipstick out on the balcony sunbathing with the neighbour's cat.
Most of your baby's organs are complete. Your baby practises breathing so the lungs produce surfactant, which helps baby breathe after birth.
Your baby is also building up fat under the skin, especially around the shoulders. We'll soon get to admire those pretty, soft little shoulders!
In the vast majority of cases the baby is head-down towards the pelvis, getting ready for birth.
Your body
In week 35 your baby moves lower, pressing on your bladder so you need to wee often or leak a little urine. Some mums notice colostrum leaking.
The short list below is just to help you be better prepared for your symptoms – at least we'll have ways to feel a bit more comfortable. Let your partner know about these so they can share the load with you:
- Occasional headaches.
- Varicose veins in the legs and haemorrhoids may appear.
- Your gums may bleed, and your skin may itch and get a rash on the tummy, neck, chest or back.
- You may feel Braxton-Hicks contractions.
- Baby's movements: curling up, kicking, punching. Your baby wants to make their presence felt a bit more “clearly”, so it may hurt a little.
- Cramps, trouble sleeping and loose stools may happen. Lots of patience is needed here! And you're doing it well!
- You may go into labour: tummy pain coming in waves, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, or your waters breaking.
Advice for you
At this stage you can have a screening test for group B streptococcus. 2 in 5 women may carry group B streptococcus, which increases the risk of infection for the baby. Screening and treatment are very simple.
Don't forget to keep track of your baby's movements regularly. In the coming weeks, besides preparing good physical health, you also need a peaceful mind to welcome the miraculous day ahead. You could pick a lovely, comfortable dress for this big occasion, for example. The closer the birth gets, the more Momby wants your partner by your side, offering emotional comfort and sweet moments so you can give birth feeling as calm and safe as possible. Always share with your partner – Momby will do this with you.
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Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy
This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe pain or faintness, call the emergency number 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Convulsions (fits)
A convulsion in pregnancy is an emergency. Family members should call 115 at once, lay the mother on her side in a safe place and get her to the nearest hospital.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Fever in pregnancy
A temperature above 38°C counts as a fever. Please go to a health facility so a doctor can find the cause and advise on safe ways to bring it down; do not take medicine on your own.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Leaking fluid or waters breaking
Fluid leaking from the vagina may mean the waters are leaking or have broken and needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to a health facility soon, lying with your head low while travelling.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling
Headache with blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or eyelids, can be a sign of high blood pressure in pregnancy or pre-eclampsia. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Reduced or no fetal movement
A clear drop in the baby's movements, or no movement, needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now rather than waiting until tomorrow.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that keeps getting worse, does not ease, or is severe needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now. If the pain is severe with sweating, faintness or bleeding, call 115.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- NHS (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- ACOG (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for fetal size: Vinmec – Bảng cân nặng và chiều dài thai nhi theo tiêu chuẩn của WHO
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Các dấu hiệu nguy hiểm trong thai kỳ
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.