The final stretch is here—for you and your baby. Your body is being put to the test once more as you approach the finish line, and you might feel as if you've been pregnant forever. But the end is in sight, and the little person in your belly is almost ready to meet you and the world.

How big is your baby in the 35th week of pregnancy?

At about 30.5 centimeters, your baby is approximately the size of a Hokkaido pumpkin this week. The crown-to-heel length is around 45 centimeters.

35th week of pregnancy: What's changing for you

Maternity leave begins now! That means (hopefully) more time for breaks, because you have truly earned them in this final stretch of pregnancy. Your uterus alone now weighs 1.5 kilograms—compared to just 80 grams before pregnancy. Your blood volume reaches its maximum of about 5.5 liters this week. Pumping that extra blood through your body is quite demanding. You might notice your heartbeat more strongly and occasionally experience circulatory issues. Your bladder is also under increased pressure this week, so it’s possible that a few drops may escape.

35th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby

Your baby weighs about 2.5 kilograms this week and is getting closer to its birth weight every day. Even if space is tight, it can coordinate its movements more and more effectively. Your baby’s reflexes—including sucking, grasping, and breathing—are becoming more developed, although the last one naturally only comes into play after birth. It also now automatically turns toward light sources. Your child’s immune system begins to function independently of yours around the 35th week of pregnancy. However, this does not mean it is fully functional yet: it will take several more years to develop completely.

The kidneys and liver are fully developed this week and have already started working. In your baby's intestine, there is now also a buildup of Meconium , which is eliminated after birth as the first bowel movement . The so-called Animal feces consists of amniotic fluid, skin cells, and everything that
your baby in the womb has swallowed.

Finally, your child now develops regular sleep and wake phases. Studies also show that by the 35th week of pregnancy, it is already dreaming intensely.

The initial equipment

If you start maternity leave this week, now is the perfect time to make the final preparations for the arrival of your little explorer. This includes the initial equipment, too. The selection of cute and practical accessories is huge, and many expectant parents ask themselves, “What do we really need?” Don’t worry: your baby actually doesn’t need much in the first weeks and months. And even if you haven’t started putting together the initial equipment yet, you won’t have to spend the next few weeks rushing through stores. You can find an overview of the items you truly need—and what to look for when buying them—in our article “ “. Included: a practical list to download and check off.

This is now important

• The more you and your partner prepare for the postpartum period now, the more carefree you can enjoy the first days with your baby when the time comes. Tip: Cook and freeze meals in advance, mobilize support, make your apartment as cozy as possible, and take care of organizational tasks.

• If your baby were born in the 35th week of pregnancy, it would be considered a so-called “late preterm.” With a survival rate of almost 99% even without intensive medical care, an impending birth at this time is generally no longer medically preventable.

• Your baby continues to build up its iron reserves in the final weeks of pregnancy by absorbing nutrients from your body. You may notice a deficiency through increased fatigue. Therefore, continue to focus on an iron-rich diet to properly nourish your body. Foods high in iron include, for example, oatmeal, legumes, and pumpkin seeds.

With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, also in exchange with our