Our Baby Journey Ask the AI assistant

35 weeks pregnant

35 weeks pregnant is about 8 months. It falls in the eighth month of pregnancy. You are in week 35 of 40, in the third trimester. Here is what is happening with your baby and your body this week.

Baby size at week 35: Honeydew melon
Your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon.
Length: about 46.2 cm (18.2 in) from crown to heel · Weight: about 2.4 kg (5.3 lb)

Your baby at 35 weeks

The kidneys are fully developed, and the liver can process some waste. Growth is mostly weight gain now.

Your baby is gaining weight quickly now. Much of this is fat, which rounds out the body and will provide energy reserves in the first days after birth while feeding gets established.

With less room to move, your baby's arms and legs are often tucked close to the body. You may feel strong pushes against your ribs or bladder, and sometimes see a foot or elbow move across your belly. Movements should keep their usual pattern, even if they feel different.

Your baby's brain is still growing fast, and the hearing system is well developed, so your voice and heartbeat are familiar sounds. Babies vary widely in size near term, and a single measurement does not tell the whole story.

Your body at 35 weeks

You may visit your provider every week from now on. In some countries, such as the US, a Group B strep test is done between weeks 36 and 37.

Your uterus has grown up to just below your ribs, and its weight can leave you feeling heavy and breathless, with pressure on your bladder and pelvis. Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom are common. Some people notice a dull ache in the groin or sharp twinges in the vagina as the baby moves lower. You may also feel more emotional as birth gets closer, with a mix of excitement, nerves, and impatience. Talking about your feelings with your partner, a friend, or your midwife can help.

Your belly at week 35

In month 8 (weeks 32–35) the uterus reaches its highest point, up near your ribs, so breathlessness and heartburn are common. Fundal height is usually around 32–35 cm.

Belly size and shape vary a lot depending on your build, whether this is your first pregnancy, your baby's position and the amount of amniotic fluid. At checkups your doctor or midwife may measure your fundal height to track your baby's growth, and may arrange an ultrasound if the measurement is quite different from what they expect.

Symptoms at 35 weeks pregnant

  • Pressure on the bladder and leaking a little urine when you cough or sneeze
  • Feeling heavy and breathless
  • Sharp twinges or pressure low in the pelvis
  • Waking often at night
  • Mixed emotions about the birth

Checkups around week 35

In many places, appointments become weekly from around 36 weeks, and some begin at 35 weeks. In the US and some other countries, a Group B strep swab of the vagina and rectum is typically done between 36 and 37 weeks, while other countries test only if there are risk factors. Your provider may also start checking how your baby is lying. Schedules vary by country.

Tips for week 35

  • Ask about the Group B strep test.
  • Have your hospital bag ready by the door.
  • Save your provider's and hospital's phone numbers in your phone.

Common symptoms in the third trimester

The third trimester runs from week 28 until birth, usually around week 40. Your baby gains most of their weight, their lungs mature, and your body prepares for labor. Not everyone has every symptom, and it is normal for symptoms to come and go. Common ones include:

  • Shortness of breath as your uterus presses up on your diaphragm
  • Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions
  • Swelling of the feet and ankles
  • Trouble sleeping and getting comfortable
  • Pelvic pressure and pain
  • Needing to urinate more often again
  • Heartburn and back ache

Read the full third trimester guide.

When to call your doctor or midwife

Contact your healthcare provider or maternity unit straight away, or get emergency care, if you have:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping
  • A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
  • A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
  • Fluid leaking from your vagina
  • Severe vomiting where you cannot keep fluids down
  • Your baby moving less than usual or a change in their pattern of movements (later in pregnancy)
  • Regular contractions before 37 weeks
  • Pain or burning when you urinate
  • Feeling very low, anxious, or having thoughts of harming yourself

Have a question about week 35?

Ask our AI pregnancy assistant about symptoms, nutrition, scans or anything else on your mind this week.

Ask about week 35

Frequently asked questions

How big is my baby at 35 weeks pregnant?

At 35 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon. That is about 46.2 cm (18.2 in) from crown to heel, weighing about 2.4 kg (5.3 lb).

How big is my belly at week 35 of pregnancy?

In month 8 (weeks 32–35) the uterus reaches its highest point, up near your ribs, so breathlessness and heartburn are common. Fundal height is usually around 32–35 cm. Bump size, shape and when you start to show vary a lot from person to person.

What is the Group B strep test and does it hurt?

Group B strep is a common bacterium that many people carry without symptoms, but it can rarely cause serious infection in newborns. The test is a quick swab of the vagina and rectum, which may feel a little uncomfortable but should not hurt. If the result is positive, you are usually offered antibiotics during labor to protect your baby. Testing policies differ between countries.

Is it normal to leak urine at 35 weeks pregnant?

Yes, a little leaking when you cough, laugh, or sneeze is common because your baby is pressing on your bladder. Pelvic floor exercises can help. However, a steady trickle or sudden gush of fluid you cannot control may be your waters breaking. If you are not sure which it is, contact your doctor, midwife, or maternity unit to be checked.

How much weight will my baby gain in the last weeks?

Babies typically gain weight steadily in the final weeks, mostly as fat. The exact amount varies a lot, and genetics, your health, and the placenta all play a role. Your provider monitors growth by measuring your bump and, if needed, with an ultrasound, though scan estimates of weight late in pregnancy are not precise.

What trimester is 35 weeks pregnant?

Week 35 is in the third trimester, which covers weeks 28 to 40.

How many months is 35 weeks pregnant?

35 weeks pregnant is about 8 months. It falls in the eighth month of pregnancy. The eighth month covers weeks 32 to 35. Pregnancy is about 40 weeks, or roughly 9 months, counted from the first day of your last period.

This page is general educational information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different, and baby sizes are approximate averages. Last updated 2026-11-07. See our medical disclaimer.