Almost in the final stretch 💛

Five weeks to go until your due date. Week 35 can feel like a mix of excitement, tiredness and impatience, and all of it is welcome.

📌 Week 35 at a glance

• Trimester: Third
• Baby's size: about the size of a honeydew melon (around 46.2 cm head to heel)
• Still to come: roughly 5 weeks (a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks)

🌱 Your little one this week

At 35 weeks, your baby weighs around 2.4 kg and measures about 46.2 cm from head to heel, roughly the size of a honeydew melon. Your baby is getting chubbier, which helps them stay at the right temperature after birth, and the body is filling out.

It's getting cramped in the womb, but your baby should still be moving around, and you should feel movements as strongly and regularly as in previous weeks. If the movements change or stop, please contact your doctor, midwife or hospital straight away. Many babies are head-down by now.

🌷 And how about you, Mum?

You may feel tired, achy and a bit emotional. Pelvic pressure, backache, swollen ankles and Braxton Hicks are all common. You may have sore ribs, perhaps because your baby is head-down and kicking away. If the pain is really bad, or sits just under your ribs, please talk to your midwife or doctor, in case it's a sign of pre-eclampsia, though it's more likely that your little one is simply very active. Sleep can be tricky, and you may find yourself waking up often.

If you notice yellowish stains in your bra, that's probably colostrum, an early milk rich in antibodies. Some mums make it weeks before the birth. Your milk usually comes in around 3 to 5 days after the birth, so a feeding bra that allows some growth, and some breast pads, can be handy. Not everyone can breastfeed, and it takes practice, but if you can, it gives your baby a good start. Whatever you choose, there's support for you.

Whatever you feel, it's okay. It's a big stretch, and you're allowed to feel a mix of emotions.

🍽️ Food for thought: little and often

With your baby taking up more space, large meals can feel uncomfortable. Many mums find that smaller meals and snacks through the day feel easier, and help with heartburn and breathlessness too.

Easy snack ideas include:

• A banana with a handful of nuts
• Wholemeal bread with egg or tuna
• Yoghurt with fruit
• Steamed sweet potato (keledek) or corn
• Oats or porridge (bubur) with some protein

If you'd like personal advice about food, your doctor, midwife or dietitian can help.

✨ Little things that may feel nice

• Many mums find that gentle movement, like a slow walk, helps with energy and mood
• A pregnancy pillow can help with sleeping
• Making a short list of things to do before baby arrives can feel calming
• Resting with your feet up whenever you can helps tired ankles

🩺 Coming up

Antenatal visits may be every week or every two weeks now. Your doctor or midwife will talk with you about your birth plan, when to come to the hospital and what to do if you're unsure about anything. Don't hesitate to ask, as they're glad to answer questions.

This is also a good time to think about pain relief in labour. There are lots of effective options, and you don't need to pick just one. You could start with one and move on to another. Common options include relaxation and movement, gas and air, injections such as pethidine, and an epidural, and some places also offer water birth or a TENS machine. What's available varies between hospitals, so ask which are offered at yours. Your preferences can go in your birth plan, and you can always change your mind on the day. If you haven't yet asked about the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine, it isn't too late to talk to your doctor about it. You may also like to ask about group B strep, a common bacteria that is usually harmless but can occasionally make a newborn unwell.

👨‍👩‍👧 Partner's corner

Keep your phone charged, the car fuelled and the hospital bag easy to reach. And remember that emotional support counts too. Listening and reassuring each other really helps.

❓ Quick questions

Is it normal to feel emotional?
Yes. Hormones, tiredness and anticipation can all play a part. If you feel low or anxious for more than a couple of weeks, please talk with your doctor or midwife.

Can I still go for walks?
Many mums find gentle walking comfortable. If something doesn't feel right, rest, and speak to your doctor or midwife.

💛 A little moment for the two of you

Thirty-five weeks. The finish line is in sight, and every day brings you closer to hello.

Almost there, little one. 🦕

Sources & further reading

NHS — 35 weeks pregnant
NHS Week 35 pregnancy guide

Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) — Antenatal care
KKM maternal health and antenatal care

FirstDino shares general pregnancy information for education and comfort. It is not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Please speak with your doctor or midwife about your own health and care.