35TH WEEK OF PREGNANCY FOR MOM AND BABY - 9TH MONTH OF PREGNANCY - PARENTHOOD

What does the 35th week of pregnancy mean for the mother and the baby

Can you believe it? You have reached the ninth month of pregnancy and the birth is now a matter of a few weeks. Have you already started designing the room that will house the baby? Have you prepared the bag to take with you to the hospital, with everything you need for the baby inside? It's time to start doing these activities, but let yourself be helped by your partner and the people closest to you! So, what exactly happens during the 35th week of pregnancy? At what stage is the fetus developing? And how is your body changing? Below, you will find all this information and much more!

What changes in the mother's body?

Now in your thirty-fifth week, it happens that you feel tired, exhausted and a little heavy, but the thrill of being closer to the moment of birth every day lifts you up. Of course, having a little anxiety or even being terrified at the very thought is normal, but with the help of the people close to you and all the medical staff at your side, you will be able to successfully complete this extraordinary experience as well.

Are you spending your days in the bathroom right now? Don't worry, it happens to everyone. Being increasingly bulky, the uterus exerts greater pressure on the bladder, making the need to urinate more frequent. Sometimes, you may even experience unintentional leaks. If peeing prevents you from sleeping peacefully, we recommend that you avoid excessive drinking in the hours leading up to sleep and go to bed with an empty bladder.

The development of the child

The growth of the little one inside you proceeds fast and unstoppable. The fetus is now 9 months old and is almost ready to be born. Its length is around 47 cm, while the weight is about 2.5 kilos. His lungs are almost developed and begin to produce surfactant, a substance that allows babies to breathe properly and prevents the risk of suffocation.

During this period, the baby pees a lot and this is an indication of the now completed development of the urinary system and the regular functioning of the kidneys.

After 35 weeks, the baby is more and more reactive and, thanks to the nervous system in the process of completion, clearly perceives what is happening outside the belly. This is why it is important to establish contact, mainly auditory, with him. Talk to him, play him your favorite songs and caress him.

It happens not infrequently that, in the ultrasound scans of the last few weeks, your little one is intent on sucking his thumb. This activity is essential because it facilitates attachment to the breast and consequently breastfeeding.

At this point of growth, the skeleton should be formed and fat distribution will also be seen on the legs and arms.

During the thirty-fifth week you may experience fewer movements than usual, do not be scared, there is an explanation: the child is getting older and struggling to move freely within such a confined space.

Have you already chosen the name for your baby? If you run out of ideas, get inspired by our list of names for all tastes and discover their meanings!

Postural exercises in pregnancy

Do you have back pain or stomach pain? Do you want to exercise your perineum to be ready and sufficiently elastic at the time of delivery? Yoga could be the solution. Some positions of this discipline, in fact, help to relax the body and dissolve tensions, relieving aches and pains. Following, a series of exercises that can help you feel better, to be performed with extreme calm and breathing correctly.

The tree: standing, join your hands over your head and balance one foot against the knee of the other leg. Breathe deeply through your nose. Stay like that for a few minutes and then switch legs. This basic position allows you to become aware of your own balance, to channel energy and calm anxiety.

The spider: this position is an excellent remedy for swollen legs and an effective solution to relax the back and belly. Lie on the ground, with your buttocks as close as possible to the wall, and slowly raise your legs, leaning them against the wall. Slowly spread them out. You have to try to keep your back straight. Your body must form a right angle to the wall. Relax your legs and breathe deeply. You can also close your eyes. Hold this position for a few minutes and then slowly lower your legs back by bending them and sliding to your side.

The frog: squat down, with your hands inside your spread thighs. The principle of this exercise is to get as much air as possible into your belly and lower back. This will relax your lower back muscles. This exercise also serves to train the muscles of the perineum, the protagonists of childbirth. Then, drop your head forward and breathe through your nose, following the rhythm.

The shell: breathe with the diaphragm and lower abdomen, arching the back forward. If you flatten your lower back muscles even slightly, you will also relieve your back muscles. Rest your head on your fists, placed one on top of the other. If you have painful contractions, get into this position right away.

Toning the perineum: here's how

Another part of your body that you must not neglect? The perineum! The muscles that make it up, being particularly stressed during pregnancy, will be put to the test during childbirth. Here are some tips to tone it up and prepare you for postpartum re-education.

Standing, with your back straight, put your hands under your belly, as if to support it. Contract and relax the perineum (as if holding your pee) and the muscles of the buttocks. Relax for a few seconds, then repeat the exercise 10 times.

All the useful tips for pregnancy

Here are some tips to better face the last trimester of your pregnancy and be ready at the time of delivery:

Practice regular physical activity: prefer free body gymnastics and postural exercises for the back. Exercising will help you feel more energetic and supple, making you ready for delivery. In addition, motor activity stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, preventing the swelling episodes that characterize pregnancy. If, on the other hand, you have problems with digestion, we recommend that you take short walks following a meal.
Do not get too tired and, between one errand and another, try to rest and take some time for yourself. Too much stress, in fact, is not good for either mother or baby!
Limit your exposure to the sun as much as possible, especially in the hottest hours. The combination of sun rays + hormonal changes could lead to the appearance of some unpleasant spots on the skin. If your pregnancy affects the summer period, remember to wear wide-brimmed hats and to apply a very high index (50+) protective cream several times over the whole body.

Follow a rich and varied diet, eating healthy and balanced. Enjoying very different foods will prepare the baby's taste buds to welcome ever new flavors during the meal. In particular, try to eat foods rich in magnesium (almonds, lentils and wholemeal bread), calcium (vegetables and fish) and iron (apples, parsley and nuts). Also, stock up on folic acid, a vitamin essential for your baby's regular development, found mostly in green leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
Avoid excessively fatty, spicy, fried foods and, in addition to alcoholic beverages, do without coffee. These foods, in fact, can cause irritation and consequent heartburn.
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and facilitate the formation of teeth in the fetus. Plus, drinking heavily throughout the day will help prevent urinary infections, one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. In this regard, be sure to always drink both before and after sexual intercourse and to practice proper intimate hygiene.

The visits to be made during the 35th week of pregnancy

Read below and find out what are the checks to be carried out at 35 weeks to monitor the state of health, both yours and the baby, and the development of the latter!