Pregnancy Week By Week

35 Weeks Pregnant: Development, Symptoms and Care

At 35 weeks pregnant, it can help to turn a long preparation list into a few practical steps. Your baby is still growing, and this is still before term. Keep your maternity contact details handy and ask about anything that is affecting your comfort or confidence.

Your baby’s development at 35 weeks

Your baby’s fingernails and toenails are formed by around this stage. Sucking and swallowing skills are developing, but being 35 weeks does not guarantee that a baby born now could feed without support. Birth before 37 weeks is considered premature.

Body changes and symptoms

Swelling around the ankles can build gradually, especially later in the day. Resting with your feet up and comfortable footwear may help. Sudden swelling, headache, vision changes or pain under the ribs needs immediate assessment rather than being put down to late pregnancy.

Tell your care team about pain that limits walking or sleeping, new breathlessness or persistent itching. Severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or collapse is an emergency: call 000. Start each sleep on either side, including naps; if you wake on your back, turn onto your side.

Your baby should keep moving

There is no universal kick count. Get to know your baby’s usual movement strength and pattern, and call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit immediately if movement reduces, becomes weaker or changes in a concerning way. Less room is not a reason for reduced movement.

Do not wait overnight or try a home Doppler, food or cold drink for reassurance. If you cannot contact the team, attend a hospital maternity or emergency unit. This advice still applies after a previous reassuring check.

Group B streptococcus screening

GBS is a bacterium that can be carried in the vagina or bowel without causing symptoms. Some Australian services offer a vaginal and rectal swab around 35 to 37 weeks; others assess risk factors rather than routinely testing everyone. Ask how your service manages it.

Testing is your choice. If you carry GBS or have relevant risk factors, antibiotics during labour may be recommended to reduce the chance of early infection in your baby. Ask about the benefits, limitations and what to do when labour starts or your waters break. Tell the team about medicine allergies.

If you have already been tested, check how you will receive the result and whether it changes your birth plan. Our prenatal tests guide can help you organise questions.

A useful preparation step

Confirm where to go after hours, how you will get there and who can help with other children or pets. Check what the maternity service wants you to bring. You can keep the bag simple and add items as needed.

If labour worries are keeping you awake or making everyday life difficult, tell your midwife or GP. You can ask about pain relief and how decisions are made during birth, including when plans need to change.

When to seek medical help

In Australia, call 000 for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or collapse, or if birth seems imminent and you cannot reach your planned place of birth safely. Do not drive yourself if faint or very unwell.

Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit immediately for vaginal bleeding, suspected waters breaking, fever, vomiting that prevents drinking, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or pain under your ribs. Seek urgent care if your usual team is unavailable.

Before 37 weeks, regular or painful contractions, pelvic pressure or persistent lower back or abdominal pain may be signs of early labour: call your maternity team immediately and go to hospital. Do not wait for a particular contraction interval.