What’s happening in my body?

If you've spotted any yellow stains in your bra, then that's probably colostrum, which is an early milk that is rich in antibodies. Some pregnant women start to make it weeks or even months before the birth. When you breastfeed, this helps to protect your baby from stomach bugs and other infections.

Around 3 to 5 days after the birth, your milk will come in, and your breasts will look even bigger. You may wish to get ready for this by getting measured for a feeding bra that will allow a bit of growth. You could also stock up on breast pads to soak up any extra milk, so that you don't stain your clothes.

Not everyone can breastfeed, and it takes a bit of practice, but if you can, then it gives your baby a good start in life. Read the Start for Life page about breastfeeding.

Talk to your midwife about group B strep

Group B strep is a common bacteria and up to 2 in 5 people have it living in their body. If you carry group B strep while you're pregnant, there's a small risk it could make your baby seriously ill. Most group B strep infections in newborn babies are preventable.

For more information talk to your midwife, or visit the Group B Strep Support website.

Your pain management options for labour

There are lots of effective ways for managing pain during childbirth. You do not need to pick just one of them. You could start with one, and then move on to another.

Self-help

This is the use of relaxation techniques, moving around, and feeling empowered through knowing what is likely to happen during labour. Self help relaxation techniques mean that you are in control and there are no side effects. They may not work for everyone

Gas and air (Entonox)

This involves breathing in a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas through a face mask or mouthpiece. Gas and air:

• works quickly
• may make you feel sick
• may not take the pain away completely

Pethidine (or sometimes Diamorphine)

This is an injection of a drug into your thigh or bottom. Pethidine:

• can help you relax for around 2 to 4 hours
• takes about 20 minutes to work
• may make you feel sick
• is not suitable for late stages of labour as the drugs can interfere with the baby's feeding and breathing

Epidural

This is a local anaesthetic that numbs the nerves that tell your brain you're in pain. You are given an injection into the space outside your spine. Your baby's heart will be monitored throughout. An epidural:

• can work well during a difficult labour
• is unlikely to make you feel sick
• needs to be given by an anaesthetist, so is not available everywhere
• could slow down your labour and you may need further intervention, such as a forceps delivery
• does not always work – around 1 in 8 women who have an epidural also need other types of pain relief

Water birth

This is where you give birth in a special pool kept at a comfortable temperature. The warm water feels soothing and it's easier to move around. Many hospitals and birth centres have birthing pools, you can also hire them for home births. If you choose to have a water birth:

• try not to get into the pool too early, as it can slow down labour
• you will need to leave the pool and get medical help if there are complications

TENS machine

A TENS machine delivers small amounts of electrical currents through pads on your back. It's believed to encourage the body to produce more of its own natural painkillers (endorphins). If you use a TENS machine:

• you may need to hire or buy your own machine
• it might help with early labour, but not for the later stages
• there are no side effects – it's drug-free and you're in control

Alternative methods

Some women choose complementary treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy and homeopathy. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you're planning to give birth at a hospital or midwifery unit, and would like a therapist to be with you in labour.

Things to bear in mind with alternative methods:

• there are no side effects for most of them
• there is no strong evidence that they work

Have a look at where to give birth and your options on the NHS website.

Discuss your ideas with your midwife, doctor and partner. Then write your preferences in your birth plan. Remember – you can change your mind on the day.

Read more about pain relief on the NHS website.

3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 35 weeks)

You may be getting sore ribs now. That could be because your baby is head down, and kicking away. If the pain is really bad, or under your ribs, then talk to your midwife or doctor, just in case it's a sign of a condition called pre-eclampsia. However, it's more likely that your little one is just very active.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

• painless contractions around your bump, known as Braxton Hicks contractions
• sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
• stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
• swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
• pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
• piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
• headaches
• backache
• indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
• bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
• leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

• mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
• morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
• weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page)
• a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby is around 46.2cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 2.4kg. That's approximately the height of 2 bananas and the weight of a honeydew melon.

Your baby is getting chubbier, which will help them to stay at the right temperature when they're born.

It's getting rather cramped in your womb now, but your baby should still be moving around, and you should feel movements as strongly and regularly as you have done in previous weeks.

If the movements change or stop, then talk to your doctor, midwife or call NHS 111.

Go back to week 34

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