Pregnant Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts underwent surgery at "22 weeks" to "help keep [the] baby in".

The 40-year-old singer is expecting her first child with her fiance, accountant-and-semi-professional footballer Mitch Hahn, and Nicola Roberts has revealed she went through a scary time when she was told she needed to go under the knife to help her unborn child - admitting it was a "big relief" to go on to pass the "34 week mark" and she's been ordered to rest for the remainder of her pregnancy.

In a post on Instagram, she shared some recent pictures and wrote: "Some pics I took this week ... Hasn't it been so nice to really feel spring.

"I've been under instruction not to do much since I had the surgery at 22 weeks to help keep baby in. Hitting that 34 week mark was a big relief.

"I now only have a few weeks left. Safe to say, this last bit is not the easiest is it?! In one breath, it will be nice to feel more comfortable again but I will also really miss my bump and having this tiny little thing in there."

Girls Aloud star Nicola also revealed she posed for an artist to create a bust of her torso and show off her baby bump. She shared a picture of other pregnancy busts on display and revealed she can't wait to see the finished result.

Nicola wrote: "I did have to stand naked in front of a stranger so heavily pregnant, but it will be worth it. Can't wait to get my bust in a few months."

She also shared a picture of herself drinking a cup of tea in bed and a snap showing a Moses basket ready for the baby in the couple's home.

Nicola added: "Cuteness popping up everywhere at home".

'I've been under instruction not to do much since I had the surgery at 22 weeks to help keep baby in. Hitting that 34 week mark was a big relief.

'I now only have a few weeks left. Safe to say, this last bit is not the easiest is it?! In one breath, it will be nice to feel more comfortable again but I will also really miss my bump and having this tiny little thing in there.'