How Your Baby Grows During the Thirty-Fifth Week
This week your baby's weight is about five pounds. Her length is about twenty inches total length. Keep in mind, however, that differences in individual babies are more pronounced now, and that guesses of the baby's weight by your doctor or midwife can be very inaccurate. Many mothers are told to expect a large baby, only to find their infant weighs a pound or more less than predicted. In fact, one survey showed that a mother's intuition about her baby was as accurate as a doctor's guess.
Her activity level may seem to decline now, but this isn't to be worried about - your baby girl is just running out of space in the womb. She has probably assumed a head down posture and is tucked up in a ball. This position is called "the fetal position" precisely for this reason, babies adopt this position in the womb. In fact, after birth, many baby's display a preference for being wrapped or swaddled tightly in a blanket or baby wrap.
What the Mother Feels During the Thirty-Fifth Week
You may begin feeling back and hip pain more frequently. Many pregnant women find this is an ideal time to seek chiropractic care for their back pain. Pregnancy massage is also a popular way to help soothe an aching back.
The hormone relaxin, is causing your joints and ligaments to loosen in preparation for the pending birth. This can cause a looseness in the hips that make quick turns or fast movements unstable. Mothers are encouraged to move slowly when getting out of bed, walking up or down stairs, and when changing directions quickly.
The growth of your baby makes is vital that you are still eating a good amount of protein, calcium and iron for your baby's development. With only a month and one half left, you may be putting the final touches on plans for the nursery, hospital or home birth arrangements, and supplies. You may feel impatient, ready, nervous or even panicked thinking about the baby's arrival.
Resources:
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month by Dr. Sears
Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Lesley Regan
