Pregnancy Week 35: Birth Preferences, Hypnobirthing, and Your Baby's Final Preparations

Quick answer: At 35 weeks your baby measures about 46.2cm crown to heel and weighs around 2.4 kilograms, with fully developed kidneys, hearing and a well-established sucking reflex. This week is a good time to write your birth preferences with your midwife and decide on pain relief, from gas and air, pethidine or diamorphine, and an epidural to a TENS machine or hypnobirthing.

What parents need to know

You're at 35 weeks — just five weeks until your due date! Your baby is almost fully developed and is spending the final weeks gaining weight and fine-tuning the systems they'll need for life outside the womb. This is also an important time to think carefully about your birth preferences and any pain relief techniques you'd like to explore.

How big is your baby at 35 weeks?

Your baby now measures approximately 46.2cm from crown to heel and weighs around 2.4 kilograms — roughly the weight of a honeydew melon. They have very little room to manoeuvre now and you may notice their movements feel different — more pressured stretches rather than big rolls.

What's happening with your baby?

Your baby's kidneys are fully developed and they are producing up to half a litre of urine per day, which is passed into the amniotic fluid and then recycled as the baby swallows it. The liver has also developed to the point where it can process some waste products. Your baby's hearing is fully developed and they can recognise familiar voices — studies suggest that newborns show a preference for their mother's voice from birth, having heard it throughout pregnancy. The sucking reflex is also well established, which will be crucial for feeding after birth.

Understanding your pain relief options

As your due date approaches, it's worth familiarising yourself with the pain relief options available during labour. Available options in the UK include:

Gas and air (Entonox): a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide breathed through a mouthpiece during contractions. It takes the edge off pain and is available at home births, in birth centres, and in hospital. Side effects can include light-headedness and nausea.

Pethidine or diamorphine: strong opioid injections that can help reduce pain and promote relaxation. They cross the placenta, so timing is important — they're not given too close to delivery as they can affect the baby's breathing and ability to feed.

Epidural: an injection into the space around the spinal cord that numbs the lower half of the body. Highly effective, but restricts mobility and may slow down labour or push. Only available in hospital.

TENS machine: sends small electrical pulses to the back which may disrupt pain signals. Most effective in early labour and can be used at home. Usually hired rather than purchased.

Hypnobirthing: a technique combining breathing exercises, relaxation, visualisation, and positive affirmations. Some women find it extremely effective for managing pain and anxiety during labour. Classes are available through NCT and privately, and there are also self-study resources.

Writing your birth preferences

Your birth preferences (also known as a birth plan) is a document you share with your care team to communicate your wishes for labour and birth. Keep it concise and flexible, and discuss it with your midwife. Consider including your preferences around: who you want present; movement and positions during labour; pain relief; monitoring; interventions such as episiotomy; and immediate care after birth (skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, vitamin K).

Your week 35 checklist

This week:

• Finalise your birth preferences and share with your midwife.
• Decide on your preferred pain relief options.
• Consider attending a hypnobirthing session or class.
• Confirm your birth environment.
• Rest as much as possible.