Week 35: Kidneys fully developed — baby produces half a liter of urine per day.
Expert tip
Hospital bag should be fully packed by week 36. Keep it by the door.
Baby's development this week
- Kidneys fully mature
- Liver processing bilirubin
- Lungs nearly fully mature
- Baby running out of womb space — movements more rolling than kicking
Science fact
Fetal movement changes character at 35+ weeks from kicks to rolling — the baby is simply running out of room. Importantly, movement frequency should not significantly decrease — contact your provider if it does.
Your symptoms this week
Pelvic pressure intensifying
baby is low and engaged
Braxton Hicks every day, sometimes hourly
true labor contractions are regular, progressive, and don
Practice contractions — normal from mid-pregnancy. Stay hydrated, change position, rest.
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Changes in your body
- GBS swab test typically done at 35–37 weeks
- Nesting instinct at peak — urge to clean, organize, prepare
- Possible lightning crotch (sharp pelvic pain) as baby presses on nerves
- Sleep deprivation building — this is normal birth preparation
Mental health this week
Peak nesting is a sign your body is preparing for birth. It tends to arrive in bursts, so spend the energy on things that will genuinely help later and skip ladders, heavy lifting and strong cleaning chemicals.
Nutrition focus
- Begin eating 6 medjool dates per day — RCT evidence shows reduced induction rates and shorter first stage of labor
- Continue iron supplementation if prescribed — blood loss at birth averages 250–500ml
- Hydration is critical for amniotic fluid levels — drink 2–3 liters daily
Appointment / test
GBS test (group B strep swab) at 35–37 weeks: a quick vaginal and rectal swab. GBS positive (25% of women) means IV antibiotics during labor — routine and safe.
This week's checklist
Get GBS swab test
Pack hospital bag completely and put in your car
Install infant car seat and have it checked at a fire station
Track your pregnancy week by week
Interactive guide · 40 weeks · Fruit size visualizations · Personalized tips
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