35 weeks pregnant: baby is the size of a honeydew melon

Your baby this week

Your baby's kidneys are fully developed, and the liver can process some waste. The bones are hard, but the skull remains flexible. Most of the fat is in place, so your baby looks rounder and the wrinkles are smoothing out. The hearing is fully developed, and your baby may turn toward a familiar voice.

Your baby has less room, and the movements feel different. You will feel more stretching, wriggling and pushes than big rolls. Movements should not decrease, and you should still feel your baby's regular pattern (see week 28).

How it happens. Babies born at 35 weeks usually do well, though some need extra support with feeding, warmth or breathing. Each extra week in the womb helps the lungs and brain, and that is why birth is not planned before 39 weeks without a medical reason.

Your body this week

Your uterus is close to its highest point, pressing up against your ribs. Over the next few weeks, especially in a first pregnancy, your baby's head may settle lower into your pelvis. This is often called dropping or lightening. You may feel you can breathe and eat more easily, but need to urinate more often, and feel more pressure low in the pelvis.

Many people describe a waddle, which is caused by a heavy pelvis and softened ligaments.

What is group B strep?

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that lives in the bowel and vagina of many healthy adults. It usually causes no symptoms, and it comes and goes. It is not a sexually transmitted infection and it is not caused by poor hygiene.

For most people, GBS is harmless. But during birth, it can pass to the baby. Most babies who are exposed stay healthy, but a small number develop a serious infection, such as sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis, in the first days or weeks. The NHS reports that about 1 in 1,750 babies in the UK is affected.

Who is tested?

Approaches differ between countries.

• Universal screening. In Canada and the United States, most pregnant people are offered a swab test late in pregnancy. Merck describes testing at 36 to 37 weeks, while other guidelines say 35 to 37 weeks. The swab is a painless wipe of the lower vagina and rectum, taken by you or by your provider.
• Risk-based approach. In the UK, the NHS does not routinely test all pregnant people. It offers antibiotics in labour if you have had a baby affected by GBS before, if GBS was found in your urine or a swab in this pregnancy, or if you have a fever in labour, and it discusses testing on request.

Ask your provider which approach applies to you. If GBS was found earlier in this pregnancy or in a previous one, tell the team at the start of labour.

What if you test positive?

A positive result means you carry GBS at this time. It does not mean anything is wrong with you or your baby. The plan is:

• Antibiotics in labour. You receive antibiotics, usually penicillin, through a drip when labour starts or when your waters break. Ideally, you receive at least two doses before your baby is born, at least four hours before.
• Tell your team when you arrive. Say that you carry GBS, and check that your notes say so.
• Monitoring your baby. After birth, your baby is watched for signs of infection, such as poor feeding, breathing problems, fever or a low temperature. This may last for at least 12 to 24 hours, depending on local policy.
• Allergy alert. If you are allergic to penicillin, tell your provider, so another antibiotic can be arranged.

If you are having a planned cesarean before labour starts and your waters have not broken, antibiotics for GBS are not usually needed.

After birth: signs to watch for

Call your provider or seek urgent care if, in the first days and weeks, your baby has a fever or low temperature, is floppy or hard to wake, feeds poorly, has fast or difficult breathing or a grunting noise, or has a change in skin colour. Even if you had antibiotics, it is important to act quickly.

Other checks around now

Your provider will continue to check your blood pressure, urine, your baby's growth and position, and your baby's movements. Some places repeat a blood count to check for anemia. If your baby is not head-down, this will be discussed at 36 weeks (see the next week).