Pregnancy week 35: signs of labour and final preparations

At pregnancy week 35, your baby is continuing to gain weight, build body fat and mature the lungs and nervous system. You may feel large, tired and increasingly aware that birth is approaching, although many babies remain safely inside the uterus for several more weeks. Every pregnancy develops at its own pace, so your midwife or obstetrician’s assessment is more useful than comparisons with friends or online due dates.

This stage is a practical time to learn how labour may begin, organise transport and prepare for the early days with a newborn. In Australia, care may be provided through a public hospital, private hospital, birth centre or planned homebirth service, depending on your circumstances and local options. Your maternity team can explain the procedures used where you plan to give birth.

How your baby is developing now

At 35 weeks, a baby commonly weighs around 2.4 kilograms, although a healthy size range is broad. Growth scans, fundal-height measurements and previous pregnancy information help your clinician judge development. The baby may already be head-down, but some babies turn later. A breech position at this point does not always mean a caesarean birth will be required.

The lungs are still maturing, while the liver, immune system and brain continue developing. Movements can feel different because there is less room, but they should not become consistently weaker or disappear. You should learn your baby’s usual pattern rather than rely on a particular number of kicks.

If movements are reduced or noticeably different, contact your maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the next morning or use a home Doppler for reassurance. In Australia, you can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 for general information, but urgent concerns need your hospital or emergency services.

Common changes in your body

Pelvic pressure, backache, frequent urination, heartburn, swollen feet and difficulty sleeping are common at this stage. As the baby settles lower, breathing may feel easier for some people, while pressure on the bladder and pelvis increases. Gentle walking, changing positions, supportive pillows and rest may help, provided your healthcare professional has not advised restrictions.

Braxton Hicks contractions can become more noticeable. These practice tightenings are usually irregular, do not steadily intensify and may ease after hydration, rest or a change of activity. True labour contractions tend to become longer, stronger and closer together, although the pattern is not identical for everyone.

Contact your care team about severe headache, visual changes, sudden swelling of the face or hands, pain beneath the ribs, fever, persistent vomiting, chest pain or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can signal a condition needing prompt assessment, including pre-eclampsia. Vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid or severe abdominal pain also warrant urgent advice.

Recognising possible signs of labour

Labour may begin with regular contractions that gradually become more intense and frequent. A dull lower-back ache, period-like cramping, pelvic pressure or an urge to open your bowels can occur. Some people experience a gradual build-up over many hours, while others move more quickly, especially if they have given birth before.

The mucus plug may come away as thick, clear, pink or slightly blood-streaked mucus. This is sometimes called a “show” and can happen days before labour or during early labour. A small amount of pink mucus is different from fresh, heavy or persistent bleeding, which requires urgent medical assessment.

Your waters may break as a sudden gush or a continuous trickle that you cannot control. Note the time, colour and odour of the fluid, use a maternity pad rather than a tampon, and call your maternity unit. Green or brown fluid, an unpleasant smell, fever or reduced movements should be reported straight away.

Because 35 weeks is before 37 weeks, suspected labour is considered preterm. Do not wait for contractions to fit a textbook pattern. If you cannot reach your maternity service and believe there is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) in Australia.

When to seek immediate maternity care

Call your hospital or midwife promptly for regular painful contractions, suspected ruptured membranes, vaginal bleeding or a significant reduction in fetal movements. Your provider may ask about the timing of contractions, fluid loss, pain, bleeding and your baby’s activity before advising you to attend for examination.

Go urgently or call 000 for heavy bleeding, fainting, severe constant pain, breathing difficulty, a seizure, or a strong urge to push with the baby seeming to arrive quickly. Keep your antenatal record and contact numbers accessible. If you are travelling, know the nearest maternity-capable hospital rather than assuming your usual facility is the closest option.

A preterm birth may involve extra monitoring, help with breathing, temperature control and feeding. The need for specialised newborn care depends on gestational age, birth weight and the baby’s condition. A neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery may be recommended, and your hospital can explain local arrangements.

Getting ready for the birth

Use this time to review your birth preferences without treating them as a fixed script. You might record preferences about pain relief, movement, monitoring, positions, skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping and who you want present. Medical circumstances can change these plans, so flexibility is useful.

Pack essential items for yourself and the baby, including comfortable clothes, maternity pads, toiletries, phone chargers, feeding bras if wanted and several newborn outfits. Include a copy of relevant medical information if your hospital does not hold it electronically. A small bag for your support person can include snacks, water, warm layers and a change of clothes.

Australian hospitals vary in what they supply. Ask your local maternity unit about nappies, breast pumps, formula, baby clothing, towels and postnatal rooms. If you are giving birth in a public hospital using Medicare, the hospital’s admission process may differ from a private hospital’s process, so confirm paperwork and estimated costs with your provider.

Practical preparations at home

Install a rear-facing child restraint before the birth and have it checked by an authorised fitter. Australian child restraint rules require babies to travel in an approved rear-facing restraint, and the restraint must be correctly fitted before leaving hospital. Do not place a rear-facing seat in front of an active passenger airbag.

Wash a small supply of baby clothes, prepare easy meals and arrange help with older children, pets and transport. If you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin or a regional area, allow extra travel time for traffic, distance and possible weather disruptions. Keep fuel, phone power and the hospital address in mind if labour starts at night.

Check whether your chosen hospital requires registration, an admission form or a booked antenatal appointment. If you have private health insurance, ask about excesses, waiting periods and newborn cover; if you are using the public system, discuss Medicare and referral arrangements with your midwife or doctor. The Australian Government’s My Health Record may contain relevant information, but it should not replace carrying urgent medical details when advised.

Feeding, recovery and emotional wellbeing

Before birth, learn the basics of breastfeeding, expressing milk and safe formula preparation, but avoid pressuring yourself to follow a single feeding plan. A lactation consultant, midwife or child and family health nurse can help with attachment, pain, supply concerns and combination feeding. Local councils, hospitals and community health services may offer parent groups after discharge.

Plan for recovery as well as the birth itself. Accept practical help with meals, laundry and shopping, and keep frequently used items within easy reach. Australian supermarkets and pharmacies stock many disposable maternity products, but you may prefer reusable or specialist options; choose supplies that are comfortable and suitable for your care team’s advice.

Mood changes are common after delivery, but persistent sadness, panic, frightening thoughts, severe anxiety, confusion or feeling unable to cope need attention. Tell your partner, midwife, GP or obstetrician. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. Looking after mental health is part of routine maternity care, not a sign of failure.

A focused checklist for the final weeks

Small tasks are easier to manage when spread across several days. Keep your plan visible and update it if your care provider, address or transport arrangements change.

• Save your maternity unit, midwife, obstetrician and emergency numbers in your phone.
• Record your baby’s usual movement pattern and report a clear reduction immediately.
• Finish fitting the approved rear-facing car restraint and check its position.
• Pack essential items for birth, recovery and the baby, then keep the bag easy to reach.
• Confirm admission procedures, visiting rules, feeding support and what the hospital supplies.
• Arrange backup transport and care for older children, pets or anyone who depends on you.

At each appointment, ask about your blood pressure, baby’s position, growth, recommended tests and when to call the hospital. You may also discuss Group B Streptococcus screening, which is handled according to your state or territory service and individual risk factors. Bring up any worries about labour, pain relief or previous birth experiences so they can be included in your care.

Pregnancy week 35 can feel like a waiting period, but it is also a valuable time to prepare calmly and stay alert to changes. Most discomforts are manageable, yet preterm labour symptoms, fluid loss, bleeding and reduced movements should always be assessed promptly by your Australian maternity team.