Trimester 3
Week 35
Your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon.
Length: 46.2 cm · Weight: 2400 g
Common this week: Baby engagement (feeling lower), Braxton Hicks, Pelvic pressure, Swelling, Anxiety, Insomnia.
Baby development
- Kidneys are now fully developed and producing urine.
- The liver can process waste products.
- The baby is running out of room to move — kicks may feel different.
- Most of the lanugo has gone. The baby looks like a newborn now.
Changes for you
- You may feel the baby has dropped lower (engagement), making breathing easier.
- Braxton Hicks become stronger and may feel like the real thing.
- Swelling of feet and ankles often peaks around this time.
- You may feel restless, anxious, or very emotional as the birth approaches.
Tips
- GBS swab test is usually done this week or next.
- Practice perineal massage to reduce the risk of tearing during birth.
- Discuss your birth plan in detail with your midwife or OB.
- Prepare your home for the newborn: set up bassinet/cot, have nappies and onesies ready.
Appointments
- Group B Strep (GBS) swab — typically 35–37 weeks.
- Routine antenatal check every 1–2 weeks.
Warning signs
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks (preterm)
- Sudden decrease in fetal movement
- Water breaking
- Bleeding
Australian notes
- If you are planning a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), this is the time to finalise your plan with your obstetrician.
- Red Nose Australia's safe sleep guidelines recommend baby always sleeps on their back, in their own safe sleep space, in the same room as parents for the first 6–12 months.