REGNANCY AT WEEK 35
What an honor! Pregnancy and motherhood are the most beautiful and significantly life-altering events that any woman can experience. Becoming a mother is a transition that requires mental adjustment, a journey with a baffling affair with so many mixed expectations, but most significant, one of a kind. You ask yourself, how? Here we go, pregnancy at week 35.
FETAL DEVELOPMENT AT WEEK 35
Fetus Growth and Development
At week 35, the fetus is all grown and a full human being.
The fetus measures 18.2 inches from the head to the heel and weighs between 0.9gms to 1kg.
If you are having a boy, its testicles are starting to descent from its abdomen into its scrotum.
Brain development continues to advance so fast, the digestive system almost ready for life. The fetus continues to gain at least half a pound each week.
Kidneys are developing, and the liver is functional, the lungs are fully forming and ready for breathing.
CHANGES TO WOMEN AT WEEK 35
Physical changes at the week
- You begin feeling pretty significant.
- More fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Trouble sleeping
- Swelling of the ankles, fingers
- and face
- Low back pains
- Tender breasts
- Watery, milky leakage from the breasts, now forming
Emotional Changes at the week
Just like pregnancy has body changing challenges, so are emotional changes.
Pregnancy hormones such as estrogen and progesterone contribute to giving you a mix of emotional highs and lows.
Mood swings from excitements to worries, or happy to sad, leads to fears, and stress about the expected baby like; how will I cope with giving birth? Will my baby bek?
Physical changes may lead to emotional changes, like some women do not like the idea of too much bodyweight lowering their self-esteem. Worry on how long it will take to lose the excess weight.
Hormonal changes of the week
Estrogen and progesterone are essential for two pregnancy hormones. These hormones play a vital role.
Estrogen increases blood flow to mucus membranes causing them to swell and soften, giving the mom to be an endless stuffy nose. It glows the pregnancy.
Progesterone keeps the placenta functioning properly, and the uterine lining healthy hence stimulates the growth of breast tissue. It also helps to soften cartilage, loosening joints and ligaments, contributing to late pregnancy aches in the hips and pubic bones.
NUTRITION OF THE WEEK (35)
Your body is increasing nutritional needs during pregnancy. It goes through numerous physical and hormonal changes, and therefore eating a healthy and balanced diet at all times is very vital.
Proper nutrition can help promote your baby’s growth and development. During this time, nutrients components from all categories are critical. These include carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, fats, calcium, and iron.
At week 35, a simple way to ensure you are getting all the necessary nutrients is to eat differently from each food group every day. Including the following nutrients in your diet will help ensure you satisfy your body’s nutritional needs during this week.
- Fiber
Your body is under increasing demands. At week 35, you tend to become constipated. Enriching your balanced diet with more fiber should help maintain a normal bowel function. The textures include; broccoli, avocado, Bananas, beetroots, and sweet potatoes.
- Water
Remember to drink plenty of water. Certain supplements may cause constipation. Water helps in constipation and to maintain circulatory volume in anticipation of the work of labor.
- Proteins
At 35 weeks’ pregnancy, your baby is still growing. Proteins play a role in increasing blood supply. Good sources include; thin leaf, beans, chicken, salmon, and nuts.
- Calcium
For a healthier baby, calcium helps build a baby’s bones and regulates your body’s use of fluids. Get at least three servings of calcium per day.
Calcium sources include; milk, yogurt, cheese, cabbage, and puddings.
- Folate
Also known as Folic Acid, helps in reducing the risk of neural tube defects. These are significant birth disabilities that affect the baby’s brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
You can get folate from the following foods; liver, nuts, dried beans, and green leafy vegetables.
Diagnostic test plan for the week
At 35 weeks, ‘ stress-free tests may be done to evaluate fetal wellbeing.
- Ultrasound
If there are questions about the fetal position or the location of the placenta, ultrasound is necessary. It is essential because it enables doctors to know possible signs of potential risks to the mother or fetus.
- Group B Streptococcus Screening
Streptococcus Group B is a life-threatening infection in newborns and can cause intellectual disability, impaired vision, and hearing loss. At week 35, it is necessary to do streptococcus screening to avoid the baby from infection.
- No stress test
This test is done weekly, especially in high-risk pregnancies, such as in a case where a woman is carrying more than one fetus, women with diabetes or high blood pressure. It helps to monitor overdue babies.
Best Pilate for the week
Maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best. Regular exercises during pregnancy help improve your posture and decrease typical discounts such as fatigue and backaches and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery. At week 35, these exercises give you just the feeling you need.
- Walking
It is safe to initiate this exercise when pregnant. Side to side sway of the hips eases your baby’s head into your pelvis, giving you an upper hand on labor.
- Swimming/Jogging
Swimming increases blood flow and boosts feel-good endorphins revitalizing burst of energy.
- Ball exercises
Ball exercise is a safe tummy work out at week 35. An exercise ball is a safe and effective tool for strengthening your core muscles during pregnancy. It provides relaxation and physical relief.
- Yoga /Home workout
Tips to keep in mind (week 35)
- Sleep on your sides
At week 35, go to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back is linked to an increased risk of stillbirth; this includes daytime napping and night sleeping.
- Pack your bags
If you have not already done it, it’s time to pack your baby’s bags and get ready, just in case the baby decides to arrive.
- Baby name game
If you have not decided on the baby’s name, now it’s a great time to start narrowing down to your top favorite list. If you already made your pick, it’s okay to change your mind. It’s a huge decision, after all.
Conclusion
Congratulations, mom, to be! Five months to go. Great people, small people, smart people, the kings and presidents everyone once were residents within a woman’s body. Pregnancy is concealing; birthing is revealing—nine months preparing to fall in love for a lifetime.