35 Weeks Pregnant With Twins or Multiples – Belly, Baby Development & Body Changes

When you are 35 weeks pregnant with twins, you might feel like you are nearing the finish line. This amazing pregnancy journey will finally come to an end, and another journey of motherhood will begin. This time is way more crucial, as a lot of women pregnant with twins or multiple babies are likely to go into labour this week as the risk of preterm birth is high (1). If carrying twins, you may notice you’ve suddenly become more alert to the tiniest signs that take place in your body. Highly sensitive mothers might find themselves being excited by the slightest kick, the slightest pain, or minor cramps, expecting to see their babies poking out right away. The babies’ growth is still taking place inside, but yes, they would be on their way any day now. In this post, we will talk about everything you need to know about pregnancy in week 35 if you are carrying twins or multiple babies.

The Growth of the Babies at 35 Weeks

In the 35th week of your pregnancy, the babies could begin their movement towards the birth canal, especially if they are perfectly ready. Your gynaecologist would keep you updated on the progress of your pregnancy and the growth of your babies.

If you are going to have twins or triplets who are deemed to be identical, this is precisely when their looks will begin to match each other. If the deliveries happen at this stage, it may not be instantly clear that the babies resemble each other. Give them a few weeks, and their identical nature will begin to seem uncanny.

Most of the progress the babies make around this stage is in terms of their movement and orientation. It is quite essential at this stage because their proper passage through the birth canal is a priority. The ideal position is when the babies have their heads pointing down and their legs pointing toward your head. Some babies may take their time in getting into this position, and the mother will need to make small attempts to encourage her twins to do so.

Though your babies do need to put on more weight and grow to a certain height to reach what is medically termed a full-fledged baby, they are in a pretty good condition to survive without any medical assistance, should you give birth to them this week. They can stay in the same room as you and would generally be able to breathe easily without any support. Despite that, the doctors and nurses would observe your babies frequently to keep track of their growth outside your womb. This is why doctors prefer that the babies spend yet another week inside the womb until they reach a proper value of weight and height.

What Is the Size of the Babies?

By the 35th week of pregnancy, your twins or triplets would be the size of medium-sized melons (3). Their weight and height will continue to increase, and that itself makes their chances of surviving outside the womb increase substantially. If you were to measure your babies from their crown to their feet, their length would turn out to be as long as 43-45 centimetres by now. Similarly, their weight reaches a large value, ranging anywhere between 2.2-2.5 kilograms.

Common Bodily Changes

Most of the changes in the body that you experience in this week of your pregnancy are simply the lasting effects of a pregnancy that has been getting heavier with each passing week and taking quite a toll on your body as a result.

1. Varicose Veins

Your belly will be too big now. Furthermore, its own weight needs to be taken into account along with the weight of the large twins or triplets that are housed inside it. A lot of this load is being borne by your legs throughout the entire journey. This pressure can get overwhelming at times, which begins to exert a force on the nerves and on the veins that carry blood to the feet. These veins can start hurting and also pop out closer to the skin, making them visible in the form of dark bluish patterns all over your legs. Termed varicose veins, these are commonly observed in pregnant women, especially those expecting twins or multiple babies. Giving your feet some rest and keeping them elevated can help reduce this condition.

2. Bleeding Gums

Blood circulation is heavily boosted and pumped to the uterus, allowing it to support the fully grown babies effectively. Such a large portion of blood also finds its way back to your gums, leading to a repeated presence of bleeding gums all over again. Proper dental hygiene needs to be ensured during this time. You should also include vitamin C-rich food items in your diet.

3. Risk of Falling or Getting Hurt

It should be known that you are carrying babies that are roughly 2 kilograms each, along with the weight of the uterus and the placenta, all within a small section of your body. The centre of gravity has shifted by a large amount, which tends to affect your gait quite easily. This can result in times when you fail to judge your own movements correctly since your tummy might also block your line of sight from your feet. Objects falling clumsily from your hands, accidentally hitting doors or tables, can be an oft-repeated phenomenon now. Extra care is definitely necessary to keep yourself safe.

Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy at 35 Weeks

Take all the previous pregnancy symptoms that you are well-versed with. Multiply their intensity, and that’s precisely what you’ll be experiencing in the 35th week of your pregnancy with multiple babies.

1. Frequent Urination

Your bladder will be under a lot of pressure from the growing baby. The tiniest amount of urine in the bladder would make you feel like visiting the loo often.

2. False Contractions

Your contractions would begin to make their mark quite easily around this time. Again, it is necessary to know whether these contractions are the Braxton Hicks ones, or actual contractions signalling your delivery. Your body is pretty close to practising the delivery procedure as well as preparing itself for the real thing. The labour contractions will be regular, intense in nature, and will have an established frequency (2).

3. Fetal Movement

The foetal movement will be apparent, which normally gets more noticeable when you’re sleeping. This foetal movement is actually beneficial to your baby’s growth, even though it might keep you from resting at night. However, as the baby has less area to move in the upcoming weeks, the movement will lessen in intensity.

4. Leaking Breasts

Your breasts may start to leak colostrum, a liquid substance that gets your body ready for breastfeeding, which is another bothersome pregnancy symptom. Typically, this begins in the latter trimester. Some women may not leak any of this liquid, but they are nonetheless healthy enough to nurse. Stocking up on breast pads will help (3).

Twin Pregnancy – Belly at 35 Weeks

Your tummy would have a peculiar shape around this week, which would still be pretty rounded in its nature. While the uterus can even reach your ribcage, the babies would primarily be in the lower region. This expansion of the belly could stretch the skin to a large degree, causing an itching sensation or even a rash on it, which emerges in the form of small red coloured papules. These are totally benign and not harmful to your twins or triplets. If you face itching along with rashes, consult a physician.

Twin Pregnancy at 35 Weeks – Ultrasound

Ultrasounds at this week would be accompanied by checks that look for the presence of any bacterial infection in your vagina and the twins’ position in the womb at 35 weeks. All the normal checkups would continue to observe your babies closely. The size of the foetus, heart rate, blood flow, amount of amniotic fluid, and the condition of the cervix and umbilical cord placement are just a few of the parameters that doctors observe intently with the scan. By this week, your babies will start responding to high-pitched noise.

What to Eat?

Keeping your weight in check is extremely important this week, and your doctor would recommend certain diet adjustments accordingly. Apart from that, you should continue including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in your diet. Calcium- and iron-rich foods should also be included. You can also continue with vitamin supplements.

Pregnancy Care Tips

Here are a few dos and don’ts that you can try during this stage.

Dos

• Understand the difference between your contractions and see a doctor if the pain is intense.
• Check your vaginal discharge to know if it is the usual one or because of the water breaking during pregnancy.

Dont’s

• Keep away from seafood in this week since high mercury content can affect the babies easily.
• Avoid staying awake for long hours because insomnia can leave you with low energy levels.

Preparing for the Birth

Twin pregnancies typically reach 35 to 37 weeks. In fact, over half of twins arrive early (prior to 37 weeks), a likelihood that grows even higher with triplets or more (1). Doctors generally recommend scheduling a cesarean section around 37-38 weeks for twin birth. The birth also depends on the position of babies in the womb.

At 35 weeks with twins, you must visit your doctor at least twice a week. Your doctor will perform tests and ask for additional ultrasounds with non-stress testing to measure your babies’ heart rates and movement.

Twins Born at 35 Weeks

Twins or triplets born in this week don’t usually require any kind of medical attention. All that needs to be done is to make sure that their weight gain continues to be on track. They might be able to breastfeed immediately or might take a week or two with that. Storing your first milk can be a good decision in such a scenario.

What You Need to Shop for?

Since your babies will be out any day now, make sure they have everything they need, such as feeding bottles, clothes, diapers, soft tissues, and other newborn baby care products.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor at 35 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

It is essential to be aware of your pregnancy when you are close to your labour. Here are some questions that you may ask your doctor to learn about your progress and some questions that will help you sail smoothly in the last leg of your pregnancy: 

• What is my baby’s current position?
• Are the twins of equal weight?
• What to do if I don’t go into labour naturally?
• Which childbirth option will be suitable for me: vaginal birth or a C-section? 
• When should I go to the hospital once contractions start?
• What are the natural and safe ways to induce labour without involving any drugs?
• Will the hospital provide a belly binder? Is it safe?
• What are the labour signs at 35 weeks pregnant with twins?

When to See a Doctor?

35 weeks pregnant with twins or multiples is the time when many multiple pregnancies deliver. The ACOG advises contacting your doctor immediately if you see signs of preterm labour, while the NHS recommends urgent contact if your water breaks, you have bleeding, your baby’s movements decrease, or you think labour is starting before 37 weeks (4) (5).

Contact your maternity team or seek urgent medical assessment if you have:

• Your water has broken, which is indicated by fluid leaking from the vagina
• Regular and timely contractions which are getting stronger and closer together
• Increase in the amount of vaginal discharge – watery, bloody, or mucus
• Strong, pinching abdominal pain
• Pressure on the pelvic or lower abdomen
• Reduction in the fetal movements

FAQ

1. Are twins’ lungs fully developed at 35 weeks?

Yes, the twins’ lungs are well developed by 34 weeks, and all body systems are now functioning well.

2. Is it normal to feel more pressure in the pelvic region when 35 weeks pregnant with twins?

Some pelvic pressure can occur as pregnancy progresses, but new or persistent pressure, like contractions, backache, or fluid leakage, should be reported because these can be signs of labour.

3. Is it safe to go into labour at 35 weeks with twins?

Babies born before 37 weeks are considered preterm and may need additional medical care. The babies’ organs are developed to an extent that can support the outside environment, but full-term delivery is much more ideal.

4. Why are twins moving less at 35 weeks?

If you notice a significant decrease or change in your babies’ usual movement pattern when pregnant with twins at 35 weeks, it should be reported immediately.

5. Can Braxton Hicks contractions happen at 35 weeks with twins?

Yes. Braxton Hicks contractions can occur before true labour, but regular contractions that become stronger or closer together can indicate labour and should be assessed.

6. What should I do if my water breaks at 35 weeks with twins?

Contact your OB-GYN or obstetric provider immediately. Your waters can break as a gush or a trickle, and you should not wait for contractions before seeking advice.

The position of twins in the womb at 35 weeks plays a key role in ensuring safe and complication-free delivery. Trust your doctor to make the right decisions for you and welcome your little ones into the real world happily.

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Sources References

1. Twins Trust – Preparing for your twins’ premature birth

2. Tommy’s – 35 weeks pregnant: baby’s development, sore ribs and sleeping on your side

3. NHS – Week 35

4. ACOG – Preterm Labor and Birth

5. NHS – Antenatal care with twins