GUIDE
Your baby weighs about 5.5 pounds with fully developed kidneys and nearly complete physical growth.
At 35 weeks your baby is the size of a honeydew melon. Their kidneys are fully developed, their liver is processing waste, and physical growth is nearly complete — the remaining weeks are mostly about adding fat and finishing lung maturation. Five weeks to go.
Be prepared from day one
Your baby is now about the size of a honeydew melon — roughly 18.2 inches long and weighing approximately 5.5 pounds. This week marks a major milestone: physical growth is nearly complete.
Your baby's kidneys are now fully developed and producing about two cups of urine per day, which is excreted into the amniotic fluid. After birth, those kidneys will immediately take over the job of filtering waste from your baby's blood — a job currently handled by the placenta.
The liver is also maturing rapidly. It's processing waste products and storing iron reserves that your baby will draw on during the first six months of life (breast milk is relatively low in iron, so these stores are important). The liver won't be completely mature at birth — which is why newborn jaundice, caused by the liver's temporary inability to fully process bilirubin, affects about 60% of full-term newborns.
From here on out, your baby's growth is mostly about adding fat. They'll gain roughly half a pound per week, with most of that weight being subcutaneous fat that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your baby's arms and legs are filling out, and those adorable baby cheeks are becoming more defined.
The lungs continue to mature. Surfactant production is robust, and the bronchial tree is nearly fully branched. Your baby's lungs are not quite ready for independent breathing, but they're getting very close. Every additional day of lung development at this stage matters.
Your baby's brain is also still growing — it weighs about two-thirds of what it will at birth. The neural connections being formed now will support everything from breathing and feeding to recognizing your voice and face.
At 35 weeks, you might experience a new sensation: "lightning crotch." This is a sharp, sudden pain in the pelvis or vagina caused by pressure on nerves as your baby's head moves lower. It's startling but harmless — and surprisingly common in the final weeks of pregnancy.
Your bladder is under siege. As your baby drops lower (or simply grows bigger), the pressure on your bladder intensifies. You may find yourself needing to urinate every 30 minutes, and you might leak a little when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can help, and they're worth doing — they'll also support your recovery after birth.
Braxton Hicks contractions are likely a daily occurrence. Some people find that certain activities trigger them — walking, climbing stairs, intimacy, or even the baby's movements. They should remain irregular and manageable. If they become regular or increasingly painful, that's a different story.
Back pain may be at its peak. Your body is carrying significant extra weight in front, and the hormone relaxin continues to loosen your pelvic joints and ligaments. Warm baths, prenatal massage, and sleeping with a pillow between your knees can help.
Insomnia is nearly universal at this stage. If you can't sleep at night, don't fight it — get up, do something quiet, and try again later. Napping during the day is not lazy; it's essential.
Emotionally, this is a common time for anxiety to peak. The birth is approaching, and the reality of caring for a newborn can feel overwhelming. Talk to your partner, friends, or provider about your feelings. Anxiety is normal and doesn't mean you're not ready.
Every pregnancy is different. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms.
Five weeks to go. Your baby is nearly fully developed, and your focus should be shifting toward final preparations and self-care.
If you started packing last week, make sure everything is ready to grab and go. Double-check: ID and insurance card, birth plan copies, phone charger, comfortable going-home outfit for you, going-home outfit for baby, car seat installed in the car, and any personal comfort items you want during labor.
Start cooking and freezing meals now. After delivery, the last thing you'll want to think about is cooking. Soups, casseroles, pasta sauces, and breakfast burritos all freeze well. Aim for a week's worth of meals. If friends or family offer to help, a meal train is one of the most useful gifts a new parent can receive.
Between 36-37 weeks, your provider will test you for Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a common bacterium that can be harmful to newborns during delivery. About 25% of healthy adults carry GBS. If you test positive, you'll receive antibiotics during labor to protect your baby. Learn more about what the Group B Strep test involves and ask your provider about the timing at your next appointment.
As you approach full term, review the signs of labor that need immediate attention: regular contractions, water breaking, vaginal bleeding, severe headache with vision changes, and decreased fetal movement. Know the fastest route to your hospital and have a backup plan for getting there.
When in doubt, call your provider. It's always better to check and be reassured than to wait and worry.
Next week at 36 weeks, your baby will be considered "early term" and may begin dropping into your pelvis — a process called lightening. You'll also likely have your GBS test and transition to weekly provider visits.
Looking back, week 34 was a landmark for lung development and the point when many parents started packing their hospital bag.
Five weeks. You've been pregnant for 35 weeks and your body has built a whole human. That's extraordinary. Give yourself credit.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
