35 Weeks Pregnant

The mother-to-be will likely receive manual checks for effacement and dilation at office visits. Your doctor will be able to tell how far along you are and estimate how much longer it will be until your actual due date. You will prepare for prenatal classes. You will feel cramped and heavy. It helps to not sit or stand in one position for very long to avoid swelling. Despite your best efforts, however, your feet and face will fill out during the coming weeks.

Sleepless Nights

If you thought you would have to wait for your baby to arrive to experience sleepless nights you were wrong. Your body is preparing itself for the sleepless nights to come. At this stage it is difficult to get comfortable and women tend to worry about their upcoming labor and delivery, as well as caring for a newborn baby and the changes that will have on their lives. Using a lot of pillows for propping may help you get comfortable so you can get some much needed rest.

Continued Growth

Your fetus is also feeling a bit cramped and restricted now. It continues to accumulate fat deposits. It measures 18 inches from head to toe and weights 5 lbs 10 ounces. The fingernails are fully-grown and may even need a trim once he’s born. The eyes are blue at this point, but they may change after birth.

Pain Releif

If you don’t have a high threshold for pain, consider your options for pain relief. The most popular choice is Demerol. It is given by shot or IV drip. The effects of the Demerol last two to five hours. It allows you to relax and sleep between contractions.

The epidural, an anesthetic injection, is another option. It numbs the entire lower half of the body. Relief lasts between two and four hours.