High blood pressure during pregnancy. Blood pressure during late pregnancy Who is at risk

The pregnancy period is a time of special condition for the female body, when all organs and systems work under increased load. High blood pressure during pregnancy is most often the result of a woman's insufficient compensatory capabilities. During pregnancy, the cardiovascular system is subject to increased stress: the heart works “for two,” and the volume of circulating blood increases.
During the normal course of pregnancy, hypertension is not observed; on the contrary, there is a slight decrease in blood pressure. This occurs under the influence of hormonal substances.
That is, some factors contribute to an increase in pressure, others - a decrease. An imbalance of these factors causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. Arterial hypertension in pregnant women is diagnosed when the indicator exceeds 140/90 mm. rt. Art.
This limit is not an unambiguous criterion: in women who are hypotensive in everyday life, hypertension can develop with blood pressure whose values ​​are within the normal range for other people. Therefore, it is important that every woman knows her usual, normal blood pressure.
Women who had high blood pressure before pregnancy need to carry out competent correction of hypertension at the planning stage, with the selection of drugs that can be taken during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs against a background of high blood pressure, urgent selection of antihypertensive drugs is necessary, otherwise there will be a threat of termination of pregnancy and serious complications for the mother and child. Arterial hypertension, complicated by vascular pathology, with a crisis course, is an indication for termination of pregnancy at any stage for medical reasons (threat to the life of the mother).
High blood pressure during pregnancy for more than 20 weeks, combined with edema and the release of protein in the urine (proteinuria), should be the object of close attention of an obstetrician-gynecologist. If such a condition persists for a long time without correction, it inevitably leads to the development of a serious pregnancy complication – preeclampsia. The above-described symptoms are accompanied by neurological symptoms: headache, dizziness, mental disturbances, possibly convulsions, visual disturbances. Preeclampsia is a condition that is dangerous not only for the course of pregnancy, but also for the life of the mother and child.
Why is high blood pressure so dangerous during pregnancy?
The fact is that with elevated blood pressure, a compensatory spasm of blood vessels occurs, including the vessels of the uterus with the placenta. As a result, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus is reduced (sometimes to a critical minimum). The development and growth of the child slows down, and at the same time the risk of developing congenital pathologies and various types of neurological disorders increases. A decrease in blood supply can also lead to premature placental abruption, accompanied by heavy bleeding.
To timely detect increased blood pressure during pregnancy and assess the possible development of preeclampsia, at each visit to the gynecologist, blood pressure is measured, weighed (rapid weight gain indicates edema, possibly hidden), and protein in the urine is determined.
Treatment at the initial stages is carried out using non-drug methods: diet, drinking regimen, physiotherapy. If there is no effect, the woman is usually hospitalized in a hospital to select antihypertensive therapy and monitor the course of pregnancy.

In the last months of pregnancy, the female body is actively preparing for labor and the birth of a long-awaited baby. During this period, a woman should monitor her health more carefully and respond to various symptoms in a timely manner. Indeed, often in the last weeks, expectant mothers are faced with unpleasant surprises that can negatively affect the birth process.

Varicose veins, pressure on internal organs, heartburn, nausea, swelling, high blood pressure - all these are difficulties that pregnant women have to face. Hypertension is especially dangerous during the period of bearing a baby, so every expectant mother needs to know what factors provoke its appearance, as well as the dangers of this condition in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Blood pressure during pregnancy: normal and pathological

In a normal state, a person’s blood pressure should be within 120/80. During pregnancy, the concept of normal has a wider range of values ​​- from 90/60 to 140/90.

Almost every tenth pregnant woman experiences hypertension, so this category of patients must always be under strict medical supervision. When visiting an antenatal clinic, the expectant mother must have her blood pressure measured. If the indicators are outside the normal range, then doctors urgently take measures to normalize it in order to eliminate all kinds of complications.

What factors provoke an increase in blood pressure

There can be many reasons for hypertension during pregnancy:

• stress on the female body, which does not have time to adapt to new conditions and reacts to changes with high blood pressure;
• Stressful situations are a common cause of increased blood pressure;
• genetic predisposition when there are hypertension in the family;
• insufficiency of the compensatory forces of the female body during pregnancy, when the heart should be responsible for increased blood circulation, but it cannot fully cope with the task;
• diabetes mellitus - the disease itself does not increase blood pressure during pregnancy, but can become a provoking factor;
• abuse of tobacco products (smoking). Everyone knows that there are few health benefits from a bad habit, and besides, nicotine has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system;
• weak physical activity, as a result of which the heart does not fully cope with the load;
• problems with excess weight. During the nine months of pregnancy, every woman is obliged to control her weight, because excess weight or a tendency to obesity will certainly affect blood pressure indicators;
• disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys can also provoke pressure surges;
• hormonal imbalance caused by dysfunction of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland or adrenal glands.

Who is at risk

Of course, not all pregnant women have problems with blood pressure. However, there are also patients who are especially susceptible to this condition. These include:

• women who have had miscarriages;
• pregnant women over 35 years of age;
• women who had problems with blood pressure during a previous pregnancy;
• overweight and obese pregnant women;
• patients suffering from hormonal disorders.

What signs indicate high blood pressure?

It would not hurt for every expectant mother, especially if she has problems with blood pressure, to have a tonometer in the household - a special device that measures blood pressure. It is easy to use and allows you to find out accurate indicators at any convenient time.

If it is not possible to measure blood pressure, then pregnant women should listen to their body: it will always tell you when something is going wrong. The occurrence of symptoms such as headache, ringing in the ears, attacks of nausea and even fainting indicates high blood pressure.

But there are cases when hypertension is asymptomatic and does not bother the pregnant woman, but is diagnosed only with the help of a tonometer. This is why it is so important to monitor blood pressure readings during pregnancy and regularly attend antenatal clinics.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous in the last weeks of pregnancy?

High blood pressure levels before the happiest and most long-awaited moment of pregnancy do not bode well. First of all, this condition can signal the occurrence of gestosis - late toxicosis. This is a very dangerous complication during pregnancy, which is accompanied by fluid retention in the pregnant woman’s body, edema, and increased protein content in the urine. Preeclampsia is dangerous for a child due to insufficient oxygen supply.

Even if high blood pressure is not caused by late toxicosis, then it should not be left without due attention, since with regular high blood pressure, vascular tone increases, which in turn can lead to fetoplacental insufficiency. In this case, the child will not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to delays in intrauterine development.

In addition, if blood pressure surges are regular and the readings are above 140, then premature placental abruption is possible. Such a process may result in termination of pregnancy or premature onset of labor.

Also, hypertension in the last weeks of pregnancy can provoke eclampsia, a condition characterized by convulsive seizures, which is also dangerous for the woman and her baby.

What to do if you have high blood pressure?

As you already understand, high blood pressure during pregnancy, especially before birth, is a dangerous symptom that signals pathology and requires immediate medical intervention. Self-medication in this situation is simply unacceptable. Based on the examination results, the doctor will prescribe drug therapy. Your task is to strictly follow all medical prescriptions, observing the dosage of medications and the duration of therapy.

If the pressure rises slightly, then you can resort to alternative therapy. Antihypertensive drinks can help normalize blood pressure: cranberry juice, beet juice, pumpkin decoction, viburnum infusion, birch sap. Of course, folk remedies will not completely eliminate the problem, but they can be an excellent preventive measure.

In severe cases, the only correct solution may be hospitalization, where the patient will undergo therapy under strict medical supervision until the upcoming birth.

As you know, obstetric and calendar months do not coincide in length. Therefore, the 35th week of pregnancy according to obstetric terms is the second half of the ninth month, and if we count according to calendar terms, it is the very beginning of the last month of gestation. Let's figure out what happens at week 35 and what difficulties may arise during this period.

So, you are 35 weeks pregnant, which means there are still 4-5 weeks until your expected due date. However, not all children are born at precisely calculated dates. Many people “can’t wait” to be born, and childbirth can happen at any moment. In this case, the born baby will no longer be considered premature, although the certificate will write to you that “premature birth” has occurred.

Well-being

The 35th obstetric week of pregnancy is a continuation of the third trimester. This period is characterized by intensive fetal growth. And along with the fetus, the uterus also grows, which leads to various unpleasant sensations. At 35 weeks of pregnancy, many women feel:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath. This is due to the fact that the uterus literally props up the lungs. Don’t worry, you won’t have long to endure it, your stomach should soon drop and breathing will immediately become easier.
• Digestive disorders. Most often, women complain of recurrent heartburn and constipation. These phenomena are caused by the fact that the stomach and intestines are compressed by the large uterus.
• Dizziness, weakness. The cause of discomfort is compression of the inferior vena cava by the uterus. This leads to disruption of normal blood circulation. To avoid unpleasant phenomena, it is not recommended to stay in one position for a long time. It is especially dangerous to lie on your back for a long time.

• Edema. Swollen limbs in the evening are a problem that almost every pregnant woman faces. If the appearance of edema is not accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, then this is the norm at this stage. Try to rest more while lying down with a pillow under your feet.
• At this stage of pregnancy, weight usually reaches its maximum. Now the woman weighs significantly more than before pregnancy, and this makes movement difficult and makes the woman clumsy. How many kilograms do women gain by the end of pregnancy? This indicator is individual, but on average the increase is 9-12 kg.
• At thirty-five weeks the uterus is greatly stretched, so it often becomes toned. The tone of the uterus is manifested by the fact that the abdomen becomes “stony”. Another reason why the belly becomes hard at 35 weeks of pregnancy and the uterus becomes toned is training contractions. In this case, as a rule, the lower abdomen hurts slightly, and the nature of the pain is nagging.

Training contractions manifest themselves in different ways. Most often, the pain with them is insignificant, but in some women the lower abdomen at 35 weeks can hurt quite severely. But these pains are short-lived, they last no more than 10 minutes. If at 35 weeks of pregnancy your stomach hurts for a long time, and the pain becomes more intense, then you need to urgently call an ambulance.

• The 35th obstetric week is the time when the fetus begins to gradually descend. This can lead to discomfort between the legs (groin area). In addition, nagging pain in the lower abdomen at 35 weeks of pregnancy may be caused by divergence of the pelvic bones and softening of the ligaments.

• The child at this stage cannot actively move, since his size does not allow him to roll over. Therefore, at the 35th week of pregnancy, fetal movements are expressed mainly in rather strong tremors.

Multiple pregnancy

The 35th week of pregnancy with twins is an extremely difficult period for the mother, because her body experiences a double load. You will need to be prepared that labor will begin at any moment. After all, due to strong stretching, the uterus becomes toned, and this can trigger the onset of labor.

If the babies are in the correct position in the uterus and the woman is generally healthy, then doctors may recommend a natural birth. If one twin is located across the uterus, both children are in the breech position, or there are other indications, then a date for a planned cesarean section will be set. Perhaps the operation will take place at 35 weeks.

Child development

Let's figure out what happens to the baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy. By this time, the development of the fetus is complete, it is completely ready for independent life, but the weight of the fetus at 35 weeks of gestation is still insufficient. And, it is desirable that he still accumulates strength before the moment of birth.

On average, the weight of a child at 35 weeks of pregnancy is more than two kilograms. His skin becomes lighter and smoother every day, and the original down that previously covered his entire body disappears. But the lubricant remains on the skin, because it protects the child’s skin from softening from constant exposure to liquid.

In addition, the presence of lubricant is necessary to make it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal.

A fetus at 35 weeks of gestation has fairly dense bones and developed muscles. The only exceptions are the bones of the skull. There are soft areas on the child’s head - fontanelles, the largest of which will completely close only by the end of the baby’s first year of life. Meconium is already accumulating in the intestines - sterile original feces, which will be released during the first hours of life.

Surveys

Most likely, at 35 weeks the baby is already in a position in which it will remain until birth. In most cases, the baby is positioned head down. If it turns out that the baby is in a different position, then the likelihood that he will roll over at this time is very small.

To monitor the position of the baby, an ultrasound may be prescribed at 35 weeks of pregnancy. If the baby is head up, doctors will choose delivery tactics. In some cases, a caesarean section is indicated.

When conducting ultrasound screening, the specialist will definitely pay attention to the position of the umbilical cord. Tight umbilical cord entanglement can cause hypoxia. In addition, an ultrasound scan evaluates the condition of the placenta, which provides the connection between the mother’s body and the fetus. At this stage, the normal indicator of the degree of maturity is the second.

Pregnancy 35 weeks is the period at which the following examinations can be prescribed:

• A urine test is performed to monitor kidney function;
• a gynecological smear is taken to identify the composition of the microflora. If pathogenic flora (for example, fungi) is detected, it is necessary to undergo treatment before birth so as not to infect the child;
• blood test for hemoglobin, glucose, as well as for infections - HIV, syphilis, hepatitis.

If indicated, other examinations may be prescribed.

Possible complications

Pregnancy at 35 weeks can be overshadowed by the development of the following complications:

• Preeclampsia. This is an extremely dangerous condition for both mother and baby. It manifests itself as increased blood pressure and impaired renal function. Kidney activity is monitored through weekly urine tests. Edema at 35 weeks is also a sign of the development of gestosis.

• Placenta previa. If the placenta is located so that it partially or completely blocks the birth canal, then bleeding, premature birth or fetal hypoxia may develop. The main sign of problems with the placenta is spotting at 35 weeks of pregnancy. But, as a rule, this complication is detected earlier, during a routine ultrasound.
• Placental abruption. Detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus can be partial or complete. In the first case, it is still possible to continue the pregnancy, in the second, emergency medical care is required. Signs of complications include brown discharge or bleeding and severe pain.

Harbingers of childbirth

At the described period, the first harbingers of an imminent birth may already appear. Their appearance does not mean that you need to immediately go to the maternity hospital. Often the first warning signs appear several weeks before birth.

However, you need to remember that every pregnancy is individual. Therefore, never rely on the experience of others, and even on your own in a previous pregnancy. Sometimes precursors appear almost before the birth itself - 1-2 days before.

What signs should you look out for? Many expectant mothers note that at this stage of pregnancy they experience lower back pain. This is due to the load on the spine due to the shift in the center of gravity of the figure. As a rule, the pain intensifies if a woman remains in one position for a long time.

In addition, some women note that at 35 weeks of pregnancy their belly sank. You can notice this not only visually, but also physically. The uterus stops putting pressure on the diaphragm, so it becomes easier for the woman to breathe.

If your pregnant belly hasn't dropped at 35 weeks, don't worry. This significant event will happen in 1-2 weeks.

Premature birth

At this stage, the likelihood of early birth is high. Don't be scared, your baby is quite ready for independent life, so there is no threat to him. He will simply be born with less weight, but will soon catch up with his peers born at a later stage.

The main signs of preterm birth warning signs:

• Stomach pain at 35 weeks of pregnancy. That is, pain appears that is similar to pain during menstruation. Sometimes, in addition to pulling the lower abdomen, back pain appears, radiating to the sacrum;
• Uterine tone. This condition is felt as tension, the stomach becomes hard.
• Stool disorder. Many women experience diarrhea before giving birth.
• Feeling of pressure on the perineum.
• At the 35th week of pregnancy, there is discharge in the form of blood or copious clear discharge (this may be amniotic fluid leaking).

The main symptoms that labor has already begun:

• Removal of the mucus plug covering the cervix. This plug looks like a cluster of transparent or whitish mucus the size of a walnut with bloody patches in the form of veins;
• Discharge of water. This symptom is difficult to miss, since about 0.5 liters of amniotic fluid are poured out at once.

• The appearance of contractions. Real contractions are more intense than training contractions. They are more painful and occur at regular intervals. Moreover, these intervals become shorter and shorter, and the intensity of pain increases.

So, the 35th week of pregnancy is the ideal time to prepare all the things that you will need to take with you to the hospital. Of course, there is a chance that the pregnancy will last another 4, 5 or even 6 weeks, but it is better to be prepared for any surprises. Under no circumstances should you go traveling during this period and, in general, try not to go far from home. And if it is absolutely necessary, then keep your documents and exchange card with you.

So, the pregnancy is coming to an end, the eighth month has already passed and, finally, the 35th week of pregnancy has arrived. Blood pressure is, unfortunately, a fairly common problem that pregnant women often face. Blood pressure can be either high or low, and problems associated with it can also be of different origins.

Low blood pressure in pregnant women occurs quite often and does not have a very good effect on both the woman and the child at any stage of pregnancy. The fact is that with low blood pressure, a woman often feels unwell, weak and dizzy, which has a bad effect on her well-being and mood (in fact, what kind of mood is there if you feel dizzy?). In addition, with low blood pressure, blood flow to the placenta weakens, as a result, the baby lacks oxygen and nutrients. In especially severe cases, a woman with very low blood pressure may be hospitalized at any stage of pregnancy. So, pressure below 100/60 is already a sufficient signal to see a doctor, even on its own, without dizziness and other “pleasant” symptoms.

High blood pressure is even more common in pregnant women. Strictly speaking, the second half of pregnancy is a reason to monitor your blood pressure even more strictly than before. The fact is that high blood pressure in pregnant women can serve as a very dangerous symptom and be a sign of gestosis - a dangerous complication that, in severe forms, can threaten the health and even the life of both mother and baby.

So why does blood pressure often rise at the end of pregnancy? This happens partly for completely natural reasons. An additional circle of blood circulation appears in the pregnant woman’s body, and the volume of blood increases - and quite significantly, by a liter and a half (depending on how much the expectant mother weighs). And such an additional volume of blood is not just excess fluid, it is also an additional load on the heart, which is not so easy to pump such a volume. As a result, the pressure increases slightly. If the difference compared to the "standby" pressure is small, there is nothing to worry about.

It’s a completely different matter if a pregnant woman has edema. When edema occurs, fluid accumulates in the tissues, the volume of blood decreases, and it thickens. And it is much more difficult to penetrate a swollen, for example, placenta. What happens in this case? What happens is this: the body launches a kind of protective reaction in order to be able to supply thickened blood to the tissues, and the pressure rises. This situation is very dangerous, since, among other things, thick blood provokes even greater swelling. In particularly severe cases, a pregnant woman requires urgent hospitalization to prevent the situation from getting out of control.

When measuring blood pressure, it is important to distinguish between values ​​that are normal for most people and pressure that is normal for a particular person. So, for most people, a pressure of 120/80 is considered normal, but if in a given pregnant woman it has never risen above 110/65, such numbers can indicate alarming symptoms.

High blood pressure in pregnant women is no joke. If your blood pressure is still elevated, you should definitely consult a doctor and strictly follow his recommendations, even if you feel generally good. If high blood pressure is accompanied by poor tests (for example, protein is detected in the urine), poor health (the first thing that worries you is a sharp deterioration in health and severe fatigue), or other symptoms, there is nothing to talk about - you need to immediately consult a doctor.

What to drink for pregnant women with high blood pressure: first of all, it is worth noting that at the end of pregnancy it is better to limit as much as possible strong tea and coffee, tonic drinks, sweet carbonated drinks - all this is not only unhealthy for the baby, but also adds completely unnecessary stress on the blood vessels. It is best to drink plain water, in small portions, or healthy drinks that quench your thirst well (rosehip infusion, cranberry juice, juices). Some juices, in addition to providing vitamins and other beneficial substances, can also help with high blood pressure. For example, cranberry juice is very healthy, but you shouldn’t cook it for too long so as not to kill all the vitamins. Birch sap (fresh, of course), as well as pumpkin decoction with honey are also useful. Beetroot juice can also help (you may not like its sharp taste, in which case it can be mixed with carrot juice). In order for juices to bring maximum benefits, you need to drink them about half an hour before meals.

If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with high blood pressure, her well-being should be carefully monitored, and her pressure should be measured at least once a day. When measuring pressure, you need to sit, relax (do not cross your legs!), do not talk or take frantic breaths.

So, a pregnant woman has slightly increased blood pressure. What to do: in order for blood circulation, and therefore blood pressure, to be normal, it is very important to move for a sufficient amount of time, as well as rest. In the later stages of pregnancy, you should walk more, at your own pace, not too fast. Of course, shoes should be comfortable, without heels, and stable. In summer, when it is very hot, you should postpone your walk until the evening or move it to early morning.

In addition, it is highly recommended to sit less in one position, and lie more relaxed, or walk. To prevent edema, it is also recommended to take a pose that relieves the kidneys several times a day; this will also alleviate the condition.

High or low blood pressure can be obtained even if you feel excellent (and this is not due to a broken tonometer). Here's what can affect the result: a cup of strong tea or coffee, drunk shortly before measuring blood pressure, licorice root, worries (it's enough to be nervous about the same visit to the doctor!), as well as. . . lying position.

Problems with blood pressure, swelling and excess weight can make life quite difficult in the later stages of pregnancy, but it is worth remembering that all this can be solved, all problems will pass, and most importantly, with proper care and treatment you can get rid of them quickly enough.

If you have entered the 35th week of pregnancy, this means that 8.5 months are already behind you. This and next week will close the ninth month, which, in general, does not yet mean the onset of labor. The fact is that obstetric months, which are used to calculate the period of gestation, consist of 28 days (or 4 weeks), therefore, in general, 280 days allocated for the development, growth and maturation of the child in the womb amount to exactly 10 obstetric days. months or a little more than nine calendar months. And at each week the baby goes through another stage of preparation for birth.

Fetus at 35 weeks of gestation

By this time, the baby is already well developed, but the finishing touches need to be completed. The organs and systems of a small organism work harmoniously as one biological mechanism. Water-salt and mineral balance is maintained by hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. Few finishing details remain, but they are vital to life support, so the baby's development does not stop at 35 weeks of gestation.

Now the accumulation of fat and muscle tissue is mainly taking place. In the last stages, the baby gains up to 220 g every week. Its weight at the 35th week of pregnancy averages 2400-2500 g, and its size (full height) reaches 47 cm, but, of course, these data are very individual and not least depend on genes. Your baby is generally unique: a unique pattern of his skin has already taken shape, and all facial features as a whole are distinguished by their individuality. True, all the children’s eyes are now gray-blue, but this is not their final color yet.

The baby's skin gradually smoothes out and acquires a pleasant pinkish tint, and the lanugo fluff disappears from the body. At 35 weeks of pregnancy, the shoulders are mainly rounded. Very soon the baby will begin to lower herself, pressing her head and shoulders down. Now he makes himself comfortable, taking the position in which he will be born. There is clearly not enough space in the tummy, the baby’s movements are quite constrained, he may even scratch himself accidentally (the nails are quite long). But in general, despite the cramped space and in most cases the upside-down state, the baby is very comfortable in his mother’s womb. What can’t be said about mom herself...

Sensations (movements)

At times you may feel like you are about to suffocate. Don’t be alarmed: firstly, this does not happen to all women, and secondly, this is a temporary condition. To make breathing easier, get on all fours, relax and slowly inhale deeply, and then exhale the air just as calmly. Repeat the movement several times until you feel better. In extreme cases, call an ambulance and get a consultation if it will make you feel safer. But there is nothing special to worry about, because shortness of breath at 35 weeks of pregnancy is a completely physiological phenomenon.

The fundus of the uterus is now raised at its peak height: 15 cm above the level of the navel or 35 cm above the symphysis pubis. Under its pressure, the lungs are flattened and cannot work at full strength. But starting next week, the stomach will probably begin to sink. True, this will bring additional discomfort in the pelvic area, but it will be much easier to breathe.

Heartburn may be bothering you right now, so don't ignore the recommendations for a healthy diet during pregnancy. Avoiding fried foods and eating smaller meals can prevent internal fire.

Be sure to take daily walks, because both you and the baby need fresh air. But don't walk too much or too fast.

At 35 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother may suffer from insomnia. To make it easier to find a comfortable sleeping position, use a pregnancy pillow or regular pillows and bolsters, placing them on all sides as you feel comfortable. You can't sleep on your back, only on your side. But perhaps a half-sitting pose will help you out. The number of times you get up at night to relieve your needs can be reduced if you drink less fluid after six in the evening. If you cannot sleep for no reason, then do not rush to resort to sleeping pills: try to reduce the time of daytime rest (if you have one), walk before bed, do not overeat at night, in the end, do not fuss and do not try to sleep at all costs, because the dream will definitely go away. It’s better to turn on pleasant, calm music, read a magazine or book, or do something calming (for example, look through your “pregnant” photo album).

Don’t let dreams about pregnancy and childbirth, especially unfavorable ones, scare you. Almost all pregnant women experience this stage. Dreams are inspired by worries, thoughts, the approaching date of birth, even if you think that you are absolutely not worried about anything, they are still inspired by the subconscious. If fears and dread of the upcoming birth actually exist, then you need to calm down: firstly, you have work to do that you will do in tandem with the baby; secondly, he will work no less than you - believe me; thirdly, you can greatly facilitate the baby’s efforts if you try hard yourself, and for this you need to prepare well for childbirth; fourthly, childbirth is an absolutely natural process, the successful outcome of which was taken care of by nature itself, and it did not do this yesterday; fifthly, childbirth cannot be avoided in any case, if you have already become pregnant and have endured a miracle for 35 weeks, then all that remains is to give birth, this is a must; sixthly, you are not the first woman to give birth; every day hundreds and thousands of others around the world give birth to healthy, beautiful children, because there is nothing better in the world. And all this means that the birth will go well!!!

Ultrasound at 35 weeks of pregnancy

An ultrasound at 35 weeks of pregnancy will help make sure that the baby is properly preparing for birth. If the sex of the child is still unknown at this time, then you have a chance to find out now. Although not all babies show themselves during an ultrasound scan, maintaining intrigue until birth. In addition, in the later stages, the chance of seeing the treasured place decreases, since the baby is inactive and remains in one position for a long time.

As usual, the specialist will examine the baby, assess his main parameters, motor activity, heartbeat, the condition of the amniotic fluid, uterus, umbilical cord, placenta, and its degree of maturity. Now the placenta should still be in the second degree of maturity, and after 36 weeks even the third will be considered normal. The higher the degree of maturity of the placenta, the smaller its resources remain. However, these indicators cannot be taken literally, since there are often cases when after 40 weeks of pregnancy the placenta is still quite “young” or copes with its functions perfectly, despite its “old age”. So without additional research, final conclusions should not be drawn. This is why Doppler ultrasound is also performed at 35 weeks.

An ultrasound before birth will help the doctor make sure that there are no defects or pathologies in the development of the baby, and that he is positioned correctly, that is, with his head down. If this is not the case, then the doctor may decide to perform a caesarean section. This is influenced by a number of other factors: the weight and parameters of the woman in labor, her state of health, the weight of the child, the degree of entanglement with the umbilical cord, and others. If the gynecologist’s verdict does not console you, then you may well consult with another specialist. However, do not be discouraged if natural childbirth is prohibited for you: the decision is always made in the interests of mother and child.

Stomach

You are now identifying with your belly. After all, all your sensations are directly related to it and depend on it. At 35 weeks pregnant, your belly has risen as high as possible, causing you to experience difficulty breathing and digestion. The strip leading from the navel downwards could darken even more, and the navel could protrude forward, and the skin could itch due to tension. All these phenomena are temporary and will disappear soon after childbirth.

Braxton-Higgs training contractions also continue, during which the uterus prepares for childbirth. These contractions are not painful, but can still be felt. They last for 15-30 seconds (sometimes up to 2 minutes), and then go away. Increasing and intensifying contractions indicate the onset of labor and require immediate transfer to the hospital.

Starting next week, your stomach will likely begin to drop, and you will feel some relief. But this doesn’t always happen, and some women reach their last day with their bellies held high. This greatly interferes with the expectant mother’s everyday life: she feels awkward and clumsy and is no longer able to do many usual things. In addition, due to a shift in the center of gravity, the risk of falls in later stages increases. Use the last few weeks to relax, and let your loved ones take care of household chores. But do not stop physical activity and, if possible, do not refuse to do light, uncomplicated work.

Weight

An active lifestyle will help you stay toned and prevent the accumulation of excess calories. Many mothers feel simply huge at this time, and also heavy and clumsy. But if from month to month and from week to week you kept your gains under control, then they will mainly consist of the “contents” of the tummy: this is the weight of the baby, uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, as well as breasts and blood - now there is already a whole liter more of it than before.

Of course, the mother also stored up a little fat in order to have the strength for childbirth and the resources to produce milk. But these reserves are insignificant and temporary.

The total weight at 35 weeks of pregnancy should ideally be an average of 13 kg more than the initial weight. In each individual case, the normal increase may differ from the declared one in either direction. After all, weight gain depends on many factors. But if your indicators greatly exceed the norm, then this cannot be ignored, since there may be complications during childbirth and the postpartum period.

Many mothers notice excessive weight gain in later stages, while they do not eat more. Doctors criticize the rapid rate of gain (700-1000 g per week) and talk about gestosis. Even if you don’t complain about increased blood pressure and the appearance of edema, you still need to reduce the calorie content of your diet: give up sweets and starchy foods and try to eat more vegetables and fruits without fatty dressings.

Pain at 35 weeks of pregnancy

Increasing weight is associated with pain at 35 weeks of pregnancy, which may now intensify. The back, lower back and legs especially hurt - they bear the heaviest weight load. Wearing a bandage will help alleviate the condition if there are no medical contraindications to this. Try to rest whenever possible, don’t walk long distances, don’t stay too long. Every 15-20 minutes it is recommended to change your body position, or even better, to warm up. Take a walk, go to the kitchen to drink some water, water the flowers. It is very important to follow this advice when traveling, although traveling far from home at a later date is not at all recommended.

Pain in the sacrum and hips can be reduced and even prevented by performing circular movements of the pelvis. In general, it’s very good if you do gymnastics for pregnant women and have mastered breathing techniques - these skills and knowledge will be very useful during childbirth, but can already serve you well.

An effective method to moderate pain at 35 weeks of pregnancy is to lie down and rest. This applies to almost all pain: headache, back, lumbar, pain in the legs and stomach. Ventilate the room several times a day and avoid nervous shocks - then headaches will be less annoying.

At this stage, your breasts may begin to ache under their weight, so buy yourself a good nursing bra that will not squeeze or irritate you anywhere, and will also support your full breasts well. Now the pain in the hypochondrium is especially noticeable - some of the child’s movements are felt quite sharply, especially his kicking legs.

In addition, an expectant mother at 35 weeks of pregnancy may experience pain in the anus (if there are hemorrhoids), pain in the hands (especially in the fingers and wrists), pain in the perineum, and in the pelvic area as a whole. Learn to relax and cope with pain. You won't have long to endure it, but your well-being is extremely important for the little one.

And if your stomach hurts, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Nagging pain in the lower abdomen in the later stages is a harbinger of imminent labor.

Sex

Many expectant mothers are no longer interested in sex at 35 weeks of pregnancy. But if you are holding up well and feeling good, then that’s just great! Because even in later stages, sex is not prohibited if there are no contraindications to it.

Until recently, doctors advised abstaining from intimacy in recent weeks, since it was believed that orgasmic uterine contractions could cause the onset of labor. However, recent research confirms that these two processes - sex and childbirth - have absolutely no such relationship. In addition, male sperm has a beneficial effect on the cervix, increasing its elasticity. Therefore, if you are confident in the “purity” of your husband, then by all means practice unprotected sex. Using condoms, as is sometimes recommended, is very undesirable: they often disrupt the vaginal microflora and cause allergic reactions.

Of course, many poses for a “pregnant” couple will no longer be possible: the tummy is not just in the way, it also needs to be protected from squeezing. Therefore, positions with penetration from behind will be the best.

Unfortunately, not all pregnant women can have sex at 35 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors prohibit intimacy if there is a threat of premature birth now or in the past, with placenta previa and low position, and do not recommend sexual intercourse in the last stages of expectant mothers who are expecting twins or who experience painful and uncomfortable sensations from penetration and frictions.

Naturally, if the plug, or even more so the amniotic fluid, has ruptured, then the path to the female vagina must be blocked: the risk of any infection and microorganisms entering the baby is very high.

In addition, if any of the partners show signs of sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections or there are suspicions of such problems, then you will also have to refuse sex and urgently undergo examination.

Discharge at 35 weeks of pregnancy

Various types of discharge at 35 weeks of pregnancy can indicate the development of a sexually transmitted infection. This is yellow, green, purulent, bloody discharge from lumps of mucus, flaky or bubbling, which often also causes severe discomfort in a woman. Most often, during pregnancy, thrush worsens, which is accompanied by itching, burning, swelling of the genitals and white cheesy discharge with a characteristic yeasty odor. If this happened to you at 35 weeks of pregnancy, then you need to act urgently, since there are only a few weeks left before the birth, and candidiasis must be cured before it occurs.

Discharge from the breasts at 35 weeks of pregnancy is quite normal: these are drops of colostrum that you just need to carefully wipe or blot.

The discharge of a thick clot of mucus from the vagina, with or without bloody spots, may be a mucus plug, which indicates that labor is imminent. If your amniotic fluid has broken (liquid is literally gushing out of your vagina), then you need to go to the hospital. The same should be done if water is leaking: you notice liquid discharge in small portions.

Childbirth

Even at 35 weeks of pregnancy it is still too early to talk about childbirth. However, if the baby feels the need for them, then they may well begin earlier. A doctor can also prescribe premature delivery according to indications. But first of all, when making such a decision, the viability of the small one and the impending threat, if any, will be assessed.

Undoubtedly, it is better for everyone to reach the due date, or at least to the maximum of the time allotted for this. But if for some reason it happened that birth occurred or should take place at 35 weeks, then you should not worry too much. Further forecasts regarding the child’s development may vary depending on his weight, psychomotor and physical development, and the degree of lung maturity. And you shouldn’t think that large babies have a greater chance of independent breathing and good health than premature babies with low weight. Not at all. Yes, some of them can breathe on their own and generally do not require intensive care or resuscitation. Others will have to spend a long time in the hospital and may be put on life support. But in general, a baby born at 35 weeks of gestation has a very high chance of a successful outcome. And practice shows that such babies in most cases are not at all behind in development from their full-term peers. So, mommy, rejoice in your happiness!

And if you are still calmly carrying your baby, then slowly begin to collect things for the maternity hospital, let everything be ready in advance and await its time. And for couples who are going to a partner birth, the necessary certificates and passes should already be ready.