Pregnancy Week 35

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Pregnancy Week 35

Pregnancy Week 35: Survival Skills

As you near pregnancy week 35, your baby continues to grow, topping off between five and five and a half pounds. If your baby were born during your 35th week of pregnancy, the chances are high your baby will do well and recover quickly, with a short hospital stay to monitor your baby's oxygen intake and growth.

Your baby spends most of his or her time after you hit 35 weeks pregnant simply packing on pounds, and allowing his or her lungs to fully mature. Interestingly, some research suggests a female baby's lungs mature quicker than a male baby's lungs, perhaps a reason why female babies born prematurely from 35 weeks pregnant to 36 weeks pregnant usually have less trouble than their male peers.

Nesting - Early Prep for Baby
If you haven't already arranged to accommodate your baby in your home, by the time you are 35 weeks pregnant you will start to prepare your home and your baby's nursery with great fervor. Many refer to this instinct to clean everything in sight and set up for their baby "nesting". All mothers have a natural tendency around the time they hit pregnancy 35 weeks to want to clean everything in sight.

This could be just an innate response, one that causes mothers to feel a need to protect their baby from foreign substances that may make the baby sick. Just be sure if you do nest around 35 weeks pregnant you take it easy. Use chemical free products when possible and avoid lifting anything heavy. Have your partner do the dirty work, or you may accidentally trigger early labor because of engaging in too much activity.

By pregnancy week 35, if you plan to deliver at a hospital or birthing center, you should also count on packing a bag to take with you when the time comes to deliver. You can pack a bag during pregnancy week 35 and keep it in the trunk of your car in the event you start labor early.

What should you pack? What you pack depends on your personal preferences. Many moms-to-be find they pack less during subsequent pregnancies. During your first pregnancy however, you should pack as much or as little as you think you and your baby will need to rest comfortably during your short stay at the birthing facility. Here are some ideas for packing a proper baby bag as you continue your pregnancy week by week.

• Warm clothes for baby if it is cold out to take your baby home in.
• A onesie or two in case you do not want to use the onesies provided by the hospital or birthing center.
• Socks for you and baby to keep your feet warm.
• Comfortable clothing for you to wear when you leave the hospital. Keep in mind you will probably need clothes that fit you when you were about five months pregnant, because you will leave the hospital with a bit of belly. It takes a few weeks for you to lose the pregnant belly you had before delivery. Sweatpants or clothes with elastic waists often do the job nicely.
• Pajamas if you want.
• Underwear you don't mind getting soiled, because you will bleed for a time after pregnancy.
• Your own sanitary pads if you prefer to use a specific brand instead of those provided by the hospital or birthing center.
• Something to read in case you have a long labor.
• A favorite tape or CD to help calm you during delivery.
• Lip balm to keep your lips supple during labor because they will dry out quickly as you breathe in and out during labor.
• An extra "favorite" pillow so you can rest easily during your stay.
• A robe if you don't want to expose your bottom or your breasts while walking about the birthing center.
• A snack in case you deliver late at night and the cafeteria is not open.
• A cozy blanket for baby.
• Gum.
• Toothpaste and a toothbrush, and any other personal hygiene products (brush, etc.).

Naturally, there are other items you may want to pack, including a camera and/or a camcorder to record your baby's birth. What you pack is up to you. Keep in mind if you find labor is imminent earlier than you expected, and you haven't packed a bag by the time you reach 35 weeks pregnant, don't fret. You can always have your partner put some materials together for you after you reach the birthing center. Most provide many of the items you need, including personal hygiene products.

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