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Trimester 3 · Week 35 of 40

Week 35 of pregnancy: Settling In

Growth is at its fastest and the kidneys are fully formed. Ask about group B strep testing, and plan real help for the weeks after birth.

Last updated 28 September 2026

What's happening this week?

Your baby is gaining weight faster this week than at almost any other point, so the bump may seem to grow by the day. You may feel heavy, slow and short of breath, and pelvic aches are common. Two things are worth doing now. Find out whether group B strep testing is part of your care, because practice differs widely between countries and hospitals. And plan the support you will need after the birth, when recovery, feeding and sleep loss all arrive at once.

Baby's development

Weight gain peaks at roughly 200–220 g a week around 35 weeks, then gradually slows towards term. Much of the gain is fat under the skin, which fills out the limbs and face and will help your baby control temperature after birth.

The kidneys are now fully developed. They have been making urine for months, and this forms much of the amniotic fluid around your baby. The liver can now process some waste products, although it is still not working at full adult capacity when your baby is born.

The brain keeps growing quickly, and will go on doing so for years after birth. The lungs are close to mature, and by around 36 weeks most babies can breathe unaided once born.

Movements stay strong and frequent even with less room; you may feel big rolls and pushes against your ribs or bladder. A drop in movements is a reason to call straight away, not a sign that space has run out. Most babies settle head-down by about 36 weeks, and your doctor will check the position at coming visits.

Your baby's size

About the size of a romaine lettuce

46.2 cm

18.2 in · Length

2400 g

Weight

Week 35

Gestational age

Around 46 cm and 2.4 kg is a typical estimate this week, and healthy babies commonly range from about 2.4 to 2.9 kg. By birth most babies weigh roughly 2.5–4 kg, with many Indian newborns around 3 kg, below Western averages. The romaine lettuce is only a playful comparison.

Your body this week

Your plasma volume is now close to half as much again as before pregnancy, which is one reason haemoglobin is checked at your antenatal visits. The uterus presses on your stomach, diaphragm and bladder at the same time, so heartburn, breathlessness and constant toilet trips can overlap, and you may feel slower than usual.

Pelvic girdle pain affects about 1 in 5 pregnant women and can make walking, climbing stairs or turning over in bed painful. It is treatable: ask for a physiotherapy referral, keep your knees together when getting in and out of bed or a car, and take smaller steps.

Attention often shifts from the birth to what comes after. Worries about coping with a newborn, family expectations, money or work are common. Sharing them with your partner or a trusted person now makes it easier to ask for help later, when you may be too tired to explain what you need.

Symptoms you may notice

Every pregnancy is different - you may have some, all or none of these.

Pelvic girdle pain: Loosened joints and the baby's weight strain the pelvis. Avoid standing on one leg and lifting; a physiotherapist can suggest exercises or a support belt.
Frequent urination: The bladder is squeezed from above, so you may need to go very often. Do not cut back on fluids; pain, burning or fever with it suggests an infection.
Breathlessness: The uterus is pushing on your diaphragm. Sit upright and pace yourself. Breathlessness at rest, or with chest pain, is an emergency.
Heartburn: Small meals and staying upright after eating help. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking antacids regularly, and mention it if heartburn stops you eating.
Tiredness: Extra weight and broken sleep take their toll. Rest in the day. Tiredness that feels extreme can be a sign of anaemia, which a blood test can check.

Medical care and tests

Group B strep (GBS) swab
Varies by provider
36+0 to 37+6 weeks (US)
GBS is a bacterium that many people carry without symptoms. In the US, every pregnant woman is offered a vaginal-rectal swab at 36+0 to 37+6 weeks, and if it is positive, antibiotics are given in labour to protect the baby. It is not part of routine screening in the UK or in India's national guidelines, so ask your doctor whether they advise it for you.
Fourth antenatal visit (India)
Routine
36 weeks to term
The last visit in India's minimum schedule is coming up. It includes birth preparedness: where you will give birth, how you will get there and who will come with you.
Supplements and tests after birth
Routine
Birth to 6 months after birth
India's programme continues iron-folic acid tablets for 180 days after birth and calcium tablets for six months. If you have gestational diabetes, a 75 g glucose test is recommended around 6 weeks after the birth.

Blood pressure, urine and bump measurements continue at every visit, because pre-eclampsia can still develop in the final weeks. Follow the schedule your own doctor gives you.

Nutrition this week

Stock the kitchen for after the birth: whole-wheat atta, rice, millets such as ragi and bajra, several dals, nuts, seeds such as til and flax, and plenty of milk or dahi. Simple meals from these cover most needs.
Traditional recovery foods such as panjiri, gond laddoos and dry-fruit laddoos are part of many Indian families' care. They are nourishing but very energy-dense, and claims that particular foods heal the body faster are not backed by good evidence, so treat them as part of a balanced diet rather than medicine.
While you are pregnant, keep methi seeds to normal cooking amounts. Soaked-seed water, powders and capsules are best avoided unless your doctor agrees.
Breastfeeding raises your energy and protein needs, so plan for dal, dahi, paneer, and eggs or fish if you eat them, alongside fruit and vegetables.

Movement and exercise

Keep moving gently every day; short walks and prenatal yoga help circulation, sleep and mood, and you can split activity into several short sessions.
With pelvic girdle pain, avoid wide-legged positions and heavy lifting, and ask a physiotherapist for safe exercises.
Pelvic floor exercises now can lower the risk of leaking urine after the birth.
Lie on your side to rest, and stop any activity that brings on pain or tightenings.

Things to keep in mind

Many Indian families follow a 40-day rest period after birth. Rest, good food and practical help are valuable; talk openly with elders about which customs you want to follow and which you would like to adapt.
Decide who will cook, clean, look after older children and help at night in the first weeks. If family live far away, line up paid help or neighbours now.
Low mood after birth is common in Indian studies, and it is treatable. If sadness or anxiety lasts most days for two weeks or more, tell your doctor, ANM or ASHA.

When to contact your doctor

Call your doctor or midwife the same day if you have

Itching that is worst on your palms and soles.
Light bleeding or brown spotting.
A fever or feeling hot and shivery.
Pain or burning when you pass urine, or cloudy urine.
Calf pain or swelling on one side.
Feeling low or anxious most days for a fortnight or longer.

Get emergency care now if you have

A noticeable drop or change in your baby's movements.
Waters breaking, or contractions coming regularly, before 37 weeks.
Heavy bleeding, or constant severe pain with a hard, tender bump.
Sudden swelling together with a severe headache or problems with vision.
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

In India, call 108 for an ambulance, 102 for free transport for pregnant women in many states, or 112 for any emergency - or go straight to your nearest hospital with a maternity unit.

If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call - you never need to wait for your next appointment.

Questions to ask your doctor

Do you recommend a group B strep swab, and what happens if it is positive?
Which supplements should I continue after the birth, and for how long?
Can I be referred to a physiotherapist for pelvic pain?
Who can I contact if I feel low after the baby is born?

Week 35 checklist

Ask your doctor about GBS testing
Agree who helps with meals and nights
Stock the pantry with dals, grains and nuts
Talk with elders about the 40-day customs
Note who to call if your mood dips

Frequently asked questions

Do all pregnant women in India get tested for group B strep?

No. Routine GBS swabs at 36+0 to 37+6 weeks are standard in the US, but they are not part of the UK's routine screening or India's national guidelines. Some doctors may test based on your history or their hospital's policy. If a swab is positive, antibiotics during labour are the usual response. Ask your doctor what they advise.

How can I prepare for the 40-day rest period?

Talk with your family now about what the rest period will look like: who cooks, who helps at night, how visitors are managed and which customs matter to you. Rest and nourishing food help recovery. Keep fruit, vegetables and pulses in your diet, keep taking the supplements you are prescribed, and speak up if you feel low or overwhelmed.

My scan shows fast growth this week. Is my baby too big?

Growth is expected to be at its fastest around 35 weeks, so a jump between scans is normal, and scan weight estimates have a wide margin of error. Your doctor looks at the trend across measurements, your fundal height and the fluid, rather than one number. If there is a concern, they will explain what it means and whether more monitoring is needed.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from your own doctor or midwife. Pregnancies differ, and timings here are typical ranges rather than deadlines. Read our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.