The bump is high and the ribs know it. Sitting up straight, reaching the top shelf, taking a full breath, all of it comes with a small protest now. That's the trade-off this late, and it eases once the baby drops.
At 35 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a honeydew melon, around 46.2cm from head to heel.1
How big is the baby at 35 weeks?
About 46.2cm head to heel, close to a honeydew melon.1 The baby is getting chubbier this week. That layer of fat does real work after birth, helping the baby hold its body temperature once it's out in the world.1
What's common around 35 weeks
Sore ribs are commonly reported this far along.1 There's a full-size baby pressing up under the ribcage, and the soreness usually eases as the baby moves down lower in the weeks ahead.
If the discomfort is bothering you, your midwife or doctor can talk it through with you.
One thing to do this week: stock the changing station
A changing station you don't have to think about is worth its weight at 3 AM. Stack the nappies within arm's reach, keep wipes and a couple of spare outfits close, and have somewhere to put the dirty ones. The whole point is to be able to do a change one-handed without leaving the baby to go hunt for supplies.
This is also a good week to set up nappi if you haven't yet. The baby profile you create now, with the due date and your partner invited, becomes the baby's tracker the day they're born. Same record, same app, no starting over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the baby putting on fat at 35 weeks?
The fat the baby is building now helps it regulate body temperature after birth, when it can no longer rely on the warmth of the womb.1
Are sore ribs common at 35 weeks?
Yes. A full-grown baby sitting high under the ribcage makes sore ribs common this far along, and it tends to ease as the baby settles lower.1
References
1. NHS. "You and your baby at 35 weeks pregnant." Link