35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore

Ever felt like your bump’s got a mind of its own? One minute it’s doing somersaults, the next it’s pressing on your bladder like it’s auditioning for a West End play. At 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore start creeping in—not just the usual kicks and waddles, but subtle shifts that whisper, “Oi, pay attention!” By now, baby’s about the size of a honeydew melon (roughly 2.4 kg or 5.3 lbs), and their lungs are nearly ready for the real world. But while you’re dreaming of nappies and nursery rhymes, your body’s sending signals that might need more than a cuppa and a lie-down. From Braxton Hicks tightening like corsets to pelvic pressure that makes stairs feel like Everest—these 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore are your body’s way of saying, “We’re almost there, love.”

Right, so you’ve got cramps that feel suspiciously like period pains, a bit of backache that won’t quit, and maybe even some spotting. Before you panic-call the midwife at 3 a.m., let’s sort the wheat from the chaff. True early signs of labour at 35 weeks include regular, intensifying contractions (not the irregular Braxton Hicks kind), a “show” (that mucus plug making a dramatic exit), or your waters breaking—clear, pink, or greenish fluid gushing or trickling. If contractions come every 5–10 minutes and don’t ease with rest or hydration, that’s your cue. Remember: 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore when they follow a pattern. Preterm labour’s rare but possible, and catching it early can make all the difference. Don’t brush it off as “just nesting energy”—your gut knows.

Feeling like a beached whale? Totally normal. Swollen ankles, heartburn that could power a small village, and the constant urge to wee? All par for the course at 35 weeks pregnant. But here’s the rub: what’s “normal” has limits. Mild swelling? Fine. Sudden puffiness in your face or hands? Not fine. Occasional Braxton Hicks? Expected. Contractions that escalate in pain and frequency? Red flag. The key is consistency. If a symptom feels off—like it’s crossed from “annoying” into “alarming”—trust that instinct. After all, 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore often masquerade as everyday discomforts until they’re not. Keep a symptom diary; it’ll help your NHS midwife spot trends faster than you can say “antenatal class.”

Let’s cut to the chase: pregnancy’s beautiful, but it’s not all bump pics and baby showers. Sometimes, your body throws a curveball. Here are five warning signs that might indicate complications during pregnancy at 35 weeks—symptoms you absolutely shouldn’t sweep under the rug:

• Severe headaches that don’t budge with paracetamol—could signal pre-eclampsia.
• Blurred vision or seeing spots—another red flag for high blood pressure issues.
• Pain under your ribs on the right side—liver stress, possibly HELLP syndrome.
• Sudden swelling in face/hands—fluid retention gone rogue.
• Decreased fetal movement—if baby’s quieter than usual, call your maternity unit now.

These aren’t just “bad days”—they’re potential emergencies wrapped in ordinary packaging. And yes, they fall squarely under 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore. Better safe than sorry, innit?

Ah, the mystery of the leaky bits. You’re waddling through Tesco, and suddenly—drip, drip. Is it wee? Sweat? Or… amniotic fluid? Watery discharge at 35 weeks pregnant can be tricky. Normal vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) is thin, milky, and mild-smelling. But if it’s clear, odourless, and keeps coming—especially if it soaks your pants or pad—it might be your waters breaking. Don’t wait to see if it stops. Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at 35 weeks needs medical eyes ASAP. And remember: 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore include any fluid that feels like you can’t control it. When in doubt, get it checked out—no shame in that game.

That feeling like your pelvis is being used as a rugby scrum? Yeah, we’ve been there. As baby drops (lightening), pressure on your pelvic floor skyrockets. But if it’s accompanied by sharp, shooting pains down your legs, or you struggle to walk without wincing—that’s not just “getting ready.” It could be symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or even preterm labour cues. Track whether the pain worsens with movement or eases with rest. Either way, persistent pelvic agony is one of those 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore, especially if it disrupts sleep or daily life. A physio specialising in pregnancy can work wonders—but only if you speak up first.

You know your little gymnast’s routine—morning jabs, post-dinner rolls, midnight disco sessions. So when the kicks taper off, your spidey-senses tingle. At 35 weeks, baby’s got less room to flip, but they should still be active. If you count fewer than 10 movements in two hours during a quiet time (post-meal, lying on your left side), don’t shrug it off. Reduced fetal movement is a classic sign something’s amiss—cord issues, low amniotic fluid, distress. And yes, it’s firmly in the camp of 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore. Ring your maternity triage line immediately. They’d rather you call ten times for nothing than once too late. Trust us, no midwife will roll their eyes—they’ll thank you for being vigilant.

Swollen feet after a day on the go? Standard. But if your rings won’t fit, your eyelids look like you’ve been crying for a week, or your calves feel tight and hot—stop. Sudden or severe swelling (oedema) can signal pre-eclampsia, a condition where high blood pressure messes with your organs. It’s sneaky, often showing up after 20 weeks, and peaks near term. Other clues? Headaches that paracetamol can’t touch, nausea that feels like morning sickness reborn. These are textbook 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore. Pop into your GP or antenatal clinic for a BP check and urine test—better to be paranoid than unprepared.

One minute you’re sobbing at a Greggs advert, the next you’re convinced you’ll never sleep again. Hormones are wild at 35 weeks, but persistent anxiety, hopelessness, or panic attacks aren’t just “baby brain.” Perinatal mental health matters—and emotional turmoil can sometimes mirror physical distress (like thyroid issues or anaemia). If your mood swings feel overwhelming or you’re withdrawing from loved ones, mention it. Emotional symptoms are part of the 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore checklist too. Your midwife won’t judge; they’ll connect you with support. After all, a healthy mind grows a healthy baby.

So, you’ve spotted a symptom that’s got your knickers in a twist. What next? First, breathe. Then, ask: Is it persistent? Worsening? Accompanied by other red flags? If yes, dial your maternity unit—don’t wait for your next appointment. Keep these numbers handy: your local hospital’s labour ward, NHS 111, and your midwife’s direct line. And remember, you’re not “bothering” anyone. In fact, acting fast on 35 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore could prevent a crisis. For more guidance, pop over to Amana Parenting for trusted resources. Dive deeper into pregnancy changes at our Pregnancy hub, or read our detailed take on discharge in the final trimester: White Discharge During Pregnancy in Third Trimester Changes. Knowledge is your best birth partner.

References

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/signs-labour-is-near/
• https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/green-top-guidelines/preterm-prelabour-rupture-of-membranes/
• https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/reduced-fetal-movement
• https://www.preeclampsia.org/healthcare-professionals/diagnosis-criteria