Everything you need to know about week 35 of pregnancy

Welcome to the 35th week of pregnancy

The 35th week of pregnancy feels like a deliberate pause for many expectant parents. Maternity leave begins, giving you space to take everyday life at a slower pace. Appointments, to-do lists and obligations increasingly fade into the background. Instead, your focus turns inwards, towards yourself and the little life growing inside you. Your body is working at full capacity, preparing for the birth with impressive precision. vor.Gleichzeitig Your baby is making great developmental leaps. It is becoming stronger, more coordinated and increasingly well prepared for life outside your womb. Even though space is gradually becoming tighter, your little one is active and alert. Every movement, every gentle push reminds you of how close you already are. This week is all about closeness, connection and the growing trust in your journey together.

The 35th week of pregnancy invites you to consciously slow down and listen to your needs. You are allowed to rest, set boundaries and let your body guide you. Trust now plays a central role. Trust in your strength, in your baby and in everything you have already achieved together. In this article, you will find all the important information about your baby’s development, the changes in your body and helpful tips for this special week of pregnancy.

Your baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy:

Size and weight: Your baby is now about 46 centimetres long and weighs around 2.4 kilograms. In recent weeks, it has gained a significant amount of weight and seems to be getting stronger and stronger.
VSize comparison: At its current size, your baby can be compared quite well to a Hokkaido pumpkin. This image helps many people better visualise the dimensions in the womb.
Altered movements: As space in the womb becomes increasingly limited, the movements change. Instead of short, strong kicks, you will now more often feel prolonged pressing, stretching or rolling.
Mature sucking reflex: The sucking reflex has been present for some time, but now the coordination is fully developed too. Your baby can coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing well.
Development of the eyes: The eyes now respond to light shining through your abdominal wall. At present, they are usually blue; the final eye colour only develops after birth.

Your body in the 35th week of pregnancy:

Start of maternity protection: From the 35th week of pregnancy, statutory maternity protection begins, meaning six weeks before the expected due date. This period is intended to give you more rest and security.
Working only as you wish: You may continue working if you choose to do so. This decision is entirely up to you and can be revoked at any time without giving reasons.
Uterine fundal height: The upper edge of your uterus, known as the fundus, is now approximately 15 centimetres above your navel. This measurement helps healthcare professionals assess your baby’s development.
Changes in movement patterns: As your baby’s weight increases and they may begin to descend into your pelvis, your posture will change. A waddling walk is completely normal at this stage.
Increased iron requirement: Your baby now needs especially a lot of iron and draws on your reserves for this. Therefore, make sure you eat a balanced, iron-rich diet to properly support your body.

Baby’s development in the 35th week of pregnancy.

Your baby now has very little room left in your womb. You can also feel this in the way your baby moves, which is gradually changing. Instead of short, strong kicks, you will now more often feel prolonged pressing, stretching or gentle pushing. Many expectant parents find these movements calmer, but more deliberate and intense.

At the same time, your baby is refining important reflexes that it will need after birth. The sucking reflex was already present earlier, but the necessary coordination has now also matured. Sucking, swallowing and breathing can be combined increasingly well. An important preparation for breastfeeding or the first Flasche.Auch sensory perception continues to develop. Your baby can now focus better and reacts noticeably to light shining through your abdominal wall.

Bright light sources can trigger movements or small reactions. Many babies even turn their heads towards the light. Your baby’s eyes are currently usually blue or blue-grey. This is because pigmentation is not yet complete. The final eye colour develops only after birth and may change several times during the first few months of life. Just one of the many little surprises that will soon await you both.

Are you still looking for your dream pram?

Here you can find our bestsellers

Your body at 35 weeks pregnant

Your uterus has grown significantly larger again over the past few weeks. During antenatal appointments, your doctor or midwife will feel the so-called fundal height to assess your baby’s development. The upper edge of your uterus is now noticeably higher and is taking up more and more space in your abdomen.

As your baby’s weight increases and they may move down into your pelvis, your posture and body alignment change. Many expectant parents now notice a typical, slightly waddling gait. Back pain or a feeling of pressure in the pelvis may also increase. Your body is gradually adapting to the upcoming birth.

At the same time, your need for iron increases significantly. Your baby now needs a particularly large amount of iron and also draws on your reserves. This may leave you feeling tired more quickly or less able to cope with physical exertion. Regular check-ups can help to identify any possible deficiency at an early stage.

Being conscious of eating an iron-rich diet becomes even more important during this phase. Foods such as wholegrain products, green vegetables and pulses help to keep your body well supplied. This strengthens you while also creating important conditions for the final weeks before the birth.

Tips for the 35th week of pregnancy

💡 1. Make time for rest

Maternity leave is not an obligation, but an invitation. Use this time to take breaks, lie down and give your body the rest it needs now.

💡 2. Pay attention to your iron intake

Iron-rich foods such as pulses, porridge oats, green vegetables and nuts can help support your iron stores. Vitamin C also improves iron absorption.

💡 3. Pay close attention to your contractions

Practice contractions and lightening contractions are normal at this stage and are part of the preparation. They occur irregularly and then ease off again. However, you should always have premature contractions checked by a doctor.

💡 4. Distinguish between the different types of contractions

Contractions that open the cervix occur regularly and become stronger. Pushing contractions only occur during labour. Afterpains help your body return to its pre-pregnancy state after the birth.

💡 5. Listen to how your body feels

Pulling pains, downward pressure or becoming tired quickly are signs that your body is sending clear signals. Take them seriously and adjust your daily routine accordingly.

💡 6. Talk openly about your feelings

Anticipation, uncertainty and impatience can all exist side by side. Talking to your midwife, your partner or people you trust can help you feel relieved and supported.

💡 7. Register at the hospital in good time

Many hospitals recommend registering for the birth around four to six weeks before your due date. If you have not done this yet, now is a good time. Have important documents such as your maternity notes, identity card, health insurance card and, if applicable, your birth plan ready. This will help you feel secure in good time during the final weeks before the birth.

EvoOne™
The bath that magically creates space.

Folds up with the frame and makes your everyday life magically easy. Compact, patented, revolutionary.

Frequently asked questions about the 35th week of pregnancy

How is my baby developing in the 35th week of pregnancy?

In the 35th week of pregnancy, your little one is about the size of a honeydew melon or a Hokkaido pumpkin. Most of the organs are now almost fully developed, and the immune system is also receiving its final touches in the protection of the womb. The lungs are particularly important, as lung maturation is almost complete by the end of this trimester. If your little one were to be born prematurely, the chances of survival would already be very high at this stage. Your baby is now gaining plenty of birth weight, training its senses and perhaps already sucking away happily on its thumb.

Which physical changes will I notice most as a mother now?

For you as a mother, this final trimester of pregnancy is often exhausting, as your body is performing at its very best. A pulling sensation in your lower abdomen is normal during this phase, as your ligaments and muscles stretch in preparation for the upcoming birth. Your bladder makes itself known more often because there is less space, and your gastrointestinal tract is also working under pressure. You may notice that your breasts are already producing the first milk. Restful sleep may become less frequent, but these symptoms are a sign that a major event and your personal moment of happiness are just around the corner.

What is the best way to prepare for my approaching due date?

The closer your due date gets, the more important it becomes to prepare specifically for the birth and the first period with your baby. In the final weeks of pregnancy, antenatal check-ups take place at shorter intervals. During these appointments, your gynaecologist checks, among other things, your cervix, your baby’s heartbeat and the amount of amniotic fluid. This ensures that you and your little one are doing well.

Between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy, a group B streptococcus test is generally offered. This test is a preventive measure and is often carried out as a self-funded service. At the same time, your baby is preparing intensively for the birth and will usually move into the ideal birth position, with its head facing downwards.

Now begins a phase in which structure and planning are particularly valuable. A well-thought-out checklist will help you prepare everything important for the period after the birth. This includes items for the postnatal period, baby care and the right initial equipment.

If you need support choosing a pram, baby equipment or practical accessories, we are here for you as your companions on this journey. This allows you to focus calmly on what really matters now: your wellbeing and the anticipation of arriving together as a family.