35 weeks 
pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms during week 35

Heartburn

Your uterus now reaches up under your rib cage. It's crowding your internal organs, which is one reason why you may be dealing with increased heartburn (also called acid indigestion or acid reflux) and other gastrointestinal issues such as gas and bloating now.

During late pregnancy, you can't always avoid heartburn. However, there are things you can do to decrease your discomfort while you wait for your baby to arrive.

Begin by paying close attention to the foods that bother your stomach. These may include carbonated drinks, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, vinegar, mint products, processed meats, and foods that are fatty, spicy, fried, or highly seasoned. By avoiding these, you may be able to eliminate some of your heartburn.

Also, as your uterus grows, you may find that you can't eat full-sized meals comfortably. Considering eating small, frequent meals instead.

As bedtime approaches, stop eating a couple hours before going to sleep. Propping yourself up with pillows can also make heartburn more manageable. If you're in pain, and prevention strategies aren't helping, talk to your provider about heartburn meds that are safe for pregnancy.

Clumsiness

You might feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable at 35 weeks pregnant. If you've tripped and fallen, or found yourself bumping into corners and spilling drinks more often, you can totally place the blame on your pregnancy.

There are several factors that contribute to increased clumsiness now. Not only are you heavier, the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax and your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being off.

Pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome can affect your grip and contribute to dropping and spilling. Swelling and changes to how your shoes fit could affect how you walk. Also, you may have vision changes during pregnancy due to fluid retention in your eyes. So, if you're feeling especially clumsy, take it slow and go easy on yourself.

Headaches

In late pregnancy, headaches may strike when you're tired, hungry, or dehydrated. Vision changes related to pregnancy can cause headaches, too – as can stress, depression, and allergies.

To get a handle on headaches, try these strategies:

Figure out your headache triggers. Headache specialists often recommend keeping a headache diary to help you identify specific triggers. The next time you get a migraine or headache, write down everything you ate for the 24 hours prior and what you were doing when your headache started.

Use a compress. You may be able to find relief if you apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your skull.

Don't go hungry or thirsty. To prevent low blood sugar (a common headache trigger), eat small meals frequently.

Exercise. Some evidence shows that regular exercise during pregnancy can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and reduce the stress that can cause tension headaches.

Massage, meditation, prenatal yoga, and acupuncture may also help relieve headaches.

Important: If you have a severe headache, call your doctor or midwife right away. It could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are very common, especially during the third trimester. These small, swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are likely to happen now because of pressure from your growing uterus, plus increased progesterone levels and pregnancy constipation.

Hemorrhoids are often itchy, sore, and mildly uncomfortable – or downright painful, especially if you're straining during a bowel movement. In some cases, hemorrhoids cause rectal bleeding or blood in the stool during pregnancy.

By managing constipation, you can help lessen the severity of hemorrhoids or prevent them altogether. Making sure you're hydrated, eating high-fiber foods, and staying active are daily habits that can keep your bowel movements regular. Avoid straining when you're using the restroom, and if you're already constipated, take a stool softener. Sitting for too long can also trigger hemorrhoids, so get up and move around throughout the day as much as you can.

If you're already dealing with hemorrhoids, get relief by using cold compresses or taking a warm bath (alternating cold and heat can be effective). Clean yourself gently with an unscented wipe after you have a bowel movement. Also, check in with your provider about using medication for hemorrhoids.

Linea nigra

Most expecting moms develop a dark, vertical line down the center of their belly called the linea nigra. If your hair or skin is dark, this line is likely to be more pronounced. The "pregnancy line" appears because of hormones: Increased progesterone and estrogen act on melanocytes, the cells that determine the pigment of your skin.

The linea nigra is just one of the ways that skin can change during pregnancy. Some women develop darker patches on their face called melasma or "mask of pregnancy." Often, other pigmented areas of skin get darker. You may notice this on your areolas (the area around the nipples); your labia majora (the folds of skin around the vagina); and where your skin creases, such as by your armpits and where your legs meet your torso.

You can't prevent these pregnancy skin changes, but any darker areas will fade after you give birth and likely return to their pre-pregnancy color. To keep areas of darker skin from becoming more pronounced, wear sunscreen, use hypoallergenic skin care products, and don't wax the affected areas.

Vision changes

During the second half of pregnancy, it's common to have vision changes like blurry vision and dry eye. An estimated 14 percent of all women, in fact, report becoming more nearsighted or having blurry vision during pregnancy. These symptoms are considered normal, and they're nothing to be concerned about unless they become severe. Often vision changes happen because of pregnancy-related hormonal shifts – and they're temporary and mild.

However, if your eyesight is markedly different or you're experiencing double vision, temporary loss of vision, flashing lights in your line of sight, or anything else concerning, call your healthcare provider. More extreme vision changes are associated with serious health conditions including preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hyperthyroidism.

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