35 weeks pregnant: thinking through pain relief, calmly
A good week to learn your options for labour, so that on the day you can choose, and change your mind, without pressure.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
At 35 weeks your baby is about 46 cm from head to heel, says the NHS, and is getting chubbier to keep warm after birth. Sore ribs from kicks are common, but pain just below the ribs needs a check. The one thing to do this week: talk through pain relief options with your midwife or doctor and note your preferences.
Where you are at 35 weeks
Third trimester, ninth month (Cleveland Clinic groups weeks 33 to 36 as month 9), and about five weeks before your estimated due date. Only about 1 in 20 babies arrive on that exact day, ACOG notes, so think of it as a window rather than a date. Check where you are today with the pregnancy week calculator.
Your baby this week
The NHS gives about 46.2 cm from head to heel and compares it to a honeydew melon. Your baby is getting chubbier, which will help with temperature control after birth.
Cleveland Clinic adds that the brain is still growing fast and weighs only about two-thirds of what it will at birth. ACOG describes this stretch (weeks 33 to 36) as the time when bones harden while the skull stays soft and flexible, and limbs begin to look chubby.
There is little room left, but the NHS is clear: movements should feel as strong and regular as in previous weeks. Less room does not mean less movement.
Your body and common symptoms
- Sore ribs. A head-down baby kicks upwards. Sitting tall and changing position often can help. Pain that is severe or just under the ribs is different: see the box below.
- Colostrum in your bra. The NHS explains that some people make this early, antibody-rich milk weeks before birth. Your milk usually comes in 3 to 5 days after the birth. If you plan to breastfeed, a feeding bra measured with room to grow and a pack of breast pads are useful now. If you plan to formula feed, that is a valid choice too.
- Tiredness and work. The NHS notes many people start leave around now while others work until the birth. Either is fine: do what suits your body and your job.
Is this normal? When to call
Kicks under the ribs, Braxton Hicks tightenings that do not hurt and a little colostrum are all common.
Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away if movements slow down, stop or change pattern (the NHS says do not wait until the next day), if you have pain just below the ribs, a severe headache, blurred vision or flashing lights, sudden swelling, bleeding, fluid leaking, or contractions that become painful or regular before 37 weeks. ACOG advises calling right away with possible preeclampsia symptoms, especially in the second half of pregnancy. UK: maternity unit, NHS 111 if you cannot reach them, 999 in an emergency. US: OB-GYN or midwife, 911 in an emergency.
Pain relief in labour: the options in one table
Based on the NHS week 35 guide. Availability depends on where you give birth.
| Option | What it is | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Self-help | Relaxation, breathing, moving around, knowing what to expect | No side effects, but may not be enough for everyone |
| Gas and air (Entonox) | Oxygen and nitrous oxide breathed through a mouthpiece | Works quickly; may make you feel sick; may not take all the pain away |
| Pethidine or diamorphine | An injection into the thigh or bottom | Takes about 20 minutes; not given late in labour as it can affect the baby's breathing and feeding |
| Epidural | Local anaesthetic into the space outside the spine | Needs an anaesthetist; can slow labour; around 1 in 8 people also need other pain relief |
| Water birth | A birthing pool at a comfortable temperature | Getting in too early can slow labour; you leave the pool if complications arise |
| TENS machine | Small electrical currents through pads on the back | May help in early labour, less in the later stages |
More detail on how an epidural works is in our epidural guide.
Appointments and tests around 35 weeks
- US: frequent visits in the third trimester; the group B strep swab is done between 36 and 38 weeks (ACOG). Tdap is recommended during weeks 27 through 36, and the RSV vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 from September to January (CDC); otherwise your baby can have an RSV antibody after birth.
- UK: your next routine check is at 36 weeks. If you have not had the whooping cough vaccine, the NHS says it is not too late, although protection for your baby is greater before 32 weeks. The RSV vaccine can be given right up until labour.
Your checklist for week 35
For your partner
Read the pain relief table together, and ask what kind of support she wants from you in labour: words, massage, silence, or advocating for her choices.
Previous and next week
Week 34: lightening and leave dates · Week 36: position checks and ways babies are born · The third trimester · All weeks · Due date calculator
Questions parents ask
Is rib pain at 35 weeks normal?
Often, yes. The NHS says sore ribs at this stage can come from a head-down baby kicking upwards. If the pain is severe or sits just below the ribs, call your midwife or doctor, because it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
Do I have to choose my pain relief now?
No. The NHS reminds you that you do not need to pick just one method, you can start with one and move to another, and you can change your mind on the day. Writing preferences down simply helps your team know what matters to you.
Is it too late for the whooping cough vaccine at 35 weeks?
In the UK the NHS says it gives your baby the most protection before 32 weeks but can still be given later. In the US, the CDC recommends Tdap during weeks 27 through 36. Ask at your next appointment if you have not had it.
Sources
- NHS — Week-by-week guide to pregnancy, week 35 checked October 13, 2026
- Cleveland Clinic — Fetal development, week-by-week stages of pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
- NHS — Your baby's movements checked October 13, 2026
- ACOG — Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
- NHS — Whooping cough vaccine checked October 13, 2026
- CDC — Vaccine recommendations before, during and after pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.