34 weeks pregnant

You may feel your uterus tightening up. It’s its way of having a little workout before delivery. Contractions are also a part of the body's preparation work. They aren’t dangerous and seldom hurt.

Some women may begin leaking breast milk now. If that happens, you can buy breast pads, as they will usually be used sooner or later. It may also be a good idea to buy sanitary pads as you might experience some light bleeding a few weeks after delivery. Regular-size pads may not perform the same function as before so it’s recommended that you get larger sizes. They can be bought at your local pharmacy. Be sure to have pads on hand so you don’t have to think about them later.

Have you written a birth plan letter? If your midwife hasn’t spoken to you about this, then be sure to remind her next time you meet. A birth plan letter is important as it allows you to reflect, write down and remember things that are important to you during the delivery. Even if things never turn out as we expect, a letter like this still gives you and the staff a general idea of your needs and wants before, during and after. Consider and discuss in advance with your midwife if you want pain relief or not. If this is your first child, it might be difficult to know what is right for you so be sure to get as much information as you can. There are many things to consider before delivery, and the more you prepare, the calmer you will feel.