Week 35 of pregnancy — what is happening and what to do

Between weeks 35 and 40 appointments become more frequent and CTG (fetal heart monitoring) appears regularly. It helps to set your own rhythm of check-ups and one way of filing results, so nothing gets lost between visits. Below is a practical approach to organizing the end of pregnancy.

What the rhythm of visits looks like at the end of pregnancy

In the third trimester visits usually become more frequent, and toward the end of pregnancy CTG (fetal heart monitoring) may be done at every visit. The exact schedule is set by your doctor or midwife, depending on how your pregnancy is going.

• Ask at your next visit when the following one falls and what it will include.
• Write all the dates in one calendar together with the time and place.
• Find out where the CTG will be done — at the clinic, at the hospital, or at the maternity unit.
• Decide what you will do if a date falls on a holiday or a weekend.

How to prepare for CTG

CTG lasts fifteen to forty minutes and involves lying down with straps around your belly. It is worth arriving a few minutes early, eating something light, and using the toilet first, because a break in the middle of the test can be awkward.

• Bring water and something light to eat.
• Wear comfortable clothing that easily uncovers your belly.
• Ask staff for a comfortable position if lying on your back is tiring.
• Bring your pregnancy record and previous test results.

One place for questions and results

Questions that come up during the day are easy to forget at the visit. A running note lets you ask them all and come home with a clear answer.

• Write questions down as soon as they come to mind.
• Show your list at the start of the visit — that makes it easier to forget nothing.
• Note what you agreed on and show the note to your birth partner.

A second round of packing — what to add now

The bag packed in week 33 is only the beginning. Now it is worth adding the things you use less often but would be hard to buy in a hurry. Check that your baby's clothes fit and that no documents are missing. The rest — everyday cosmetics and your phone — can wait for the last days.

• Add a towel, slippers, and an outfit for leaving the hospital.
• Check that the bag has diapers and wipes for the baby.
• Top up your own travel-size cosmetics.
• Write on a note what you will add only before leaving.

Calm breathing and comfortable positions

In the last weeks it is worth practicing calm, diaphragmatic breathing — it helps during contractions and settles the mind. Sit comfortably, rest a hand on your belly, and slow your exhale without holding your breath. During rest, look for positions where your belly is not pressing on your ribs or spine. If a position causes pain or dizziness, change it and mention it at your visit.

• Practice briefly but regularly, in a quiet place.
• Do not hold your breath or tense your belly.
• Use pillows and back support for resting.
• Ask your midwife which positions to avoid in your situation.

When a test needs to be repeated

Sometimes a CTG tracing needs to be repeated because your baby was asleep at the time or the recording came out incomplete. This is a common situation and a repeat on its own settles nothing. Staff will explain why the test is being repeated and what happens next. If you do not understand what the repeat is for, ask directly.

• Ask whether the repeat is due to the technical recording or other reasons.
• Ask for the result to be explained before you leave the office.
• Note when you should come in for the next test.