Week 36
By now, your baby’s lungs are probably mature enough to breathe outside the womb without any help.
36 weeks pregnant
Learn about your 36th week of pregnancy, including the symptoms you may be experiencing, your baby’s weight and exercises you could be doing.
36
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36 weeks pregnant is how many months?
Month 9 (Trimester 3)
At 36 weeks pregnant, you’re now well into your third trimester. Your due date is fast approaching, and you’re getting closer to meeting your baby for the very first time. Remember that there’s always a possibility that your baby will arrive a little sooner or a little later than expected – there’s simply no way to know. In fact, only 5% of babies are born on their predicted due date, so be prepared for your baby to come in their own good time 1 .
At this point in your third trimester, you may be starting put the finishing touches to your birth plan (if you’ve chosen to make one) and packing your hospital bag ahead of your labour and birth. This can feel like a very exciting time, as you get ready to welcome your baby into the world.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from week 36 of your pregnancy, including some common pregnancy symptoms, your growing baby’s development, and why taking some time to wind down before your baby arrives can really make all the difference.
Your baby’s development at 36 weeks pregnant
At 36 weeks pregnant, your baby’s lungs are fully formed, and their digestive system is developed, all ready to feed after birth. The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding your baby until they’re at least six months old 2 . Breast milk is the perfect first food for your baby, as it’s nutritionally unique to them. It’s very clever and will adapt and change to meet their needs as they grow 3 . You can learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding here.
At this point in their foetal development, your baby is approximately 47 cm from their head to their toes 4 .
Average baby weight at 36 weeks pregnant
At week 36 of your pregnancy, your baby weighs around six pounds 5 . However, all babies are different, and each one will follow their own unique growth curve. There are lots of things that can impact this, including your age, ethnicity, BMI (Body Mass Index), partner and the weight of any babies you’ve had before.
What matters is that your baby is following their own growth curve around the same line/centile that they were on when you had your earlier scans, and that your doctor and midwife are don’t have any concerns.
Normal weight gain for you at 36 weeks pregnant
Gaining some weight during pregnancy is completely normal. Most of this will happen after your 20th week of pregnancy and is down to the baby growing in your womb. The rest is to build the stores you need to make breast milk for your baby once they arrive 6 .
All women, and all pregnancies, are different, and not everybody will gain the same amount of weight during their pregnancy. As long as your baby is growing as they should, they continue to be active, and you feel well, that’s all that matters. Do your best to eat a healthy, balanced diet and if you feel up to it, do some gentle exercise at a level you feel comfortable with.
Your antenatal appointments a great opportunity for you to ask any questions and get the advice you need. So, don’t hesitate to have a chat with your midwife if you’ve got any concerns at about your pregnancy weight gain. If it’s required, your doctor or midwife may give you additional advice about how to manage your weight gain during pregnancy, if you’re having a multiple birth for example, or have gestational diabetes 7 .
Read more about weight gain in pregnancy here.
What if my baby is in the breech position?
Although your baby bump is still growing, you may actually find that breathing gets easier at 36 weeks pregnant, especially if your baby’s head has already moved deeper into the pelvis 4 . When this happens, it doesn’t mean that birth is imminent (although it’s not too far away!), but you may hear your midwife refer to your baby as being ‘engaged’.
If your baby is still in the breech position (lying bottom or feet first) at 36 weeks, it’s likely that you’ll be offered something called ‘EVC’, which stands for ‘external cephalic version’. This just means that your midwife or doctor will offer your baby a little encouragement to turn in the right direction for birth and will use their hands to apply gentle pressure to your abdomen 8 .
Whilst this is successful some of the time, if your baby doesn’t turn, your doctor and midwife will discuss what your options are for your labour, and whether it’s advisable to have a caesarean or vaginal birth 8 .
What pregnancy symptoms can you expect at 36 weeks pregnant?
Pains on the side of your baby bump (also known as round ligament pains) and backache are very common at this stage in your pregnancy 4 . Wearing a pregnancy belt when you walk can help to help support your growing bump.
Another pregnancy symptom at week 36 is mild swelling in your hands and/or feet, but seek medical advice if this becomes severe, or is accompanied by headaches, blurred vision and tummy pain. This is because these symptoms could be a sign of preeclampsia and/or high blood pressure 9 .
As your pelvic floor muscles are relaxing in preparation for labour, and your baby’s head is moving down in your pelvis, it’s likely that you’ll be going for a wee more often. Having the odd leak of urine when you cough, laugh or exercise isn’t uncommon, and this is where those pelvic floor exercises can really help. Practicing these regularly will help to strengthen the muscles around your bladder, bottom and vagina 10 .
Other pregnancy symptoms at 36 weeks include 4 :
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Difficulty sleeping – try to sleep on your side instead of on your back, as this can help with the flow of oxygen to your baby 11
- Bloating and constipation
- Sore and leaking breasts
- Leg cramps
36 weeks pregnant – symptoms not to ignore
Whilst your baby may have less room in the womb to move around, it’s a myth that babies move less as your due date approaches. Your baby should remain active and follow their usual pattern in terms of number of movements, and you should be able to feel your little one‘s movements right up until you go into labour. As such, if you notice any change at all to your baby’s usual pattern, speak to your midwife as soon as possible 12 .
You should also seek medical advice if you experience any of the following 9, 13, 14, 15 :
- You have a persistent headache or visual disturbance, and/or your feet, ankles, hands or face are unusually swollen, as this can be a sign of preeclampsia
- You experience any form of vaginal bleeding
- Whilst an increase in vaginal discharge is a normal symptom of pregnancy, you should contact your midwife if the discharge is unusual in colour, watery, has an unpleasant odour or if you notice any blood
- You feel a trickle or a gush of liquid from your vagina – this could mean that your waters have broken
- You have severe abdominal pain or regular painful tightenings
By now you’ll probably be on standby, waiting for those tell-tale early signs of labour. If you have any questions of concerns about any of your pregnancy symptoms in the meantime though, don’t hesitate to have a chat with your doctor or midwife.
On and off period pains at 36 weeks pregnant
If you’re experiencing period pain type cramps, this could well be Braxton Hicks contractions and tightenings. These often become more frequent during your third trimester and as you approach full term 16 .
If they become very uncomfortable and come regularly every five minutes for over an hour, it’s very important to contact your midwife, as this could be a sign that you’re going into early labour. You should also seek advice if these cramps happen alongside watery discharge or bleeding.
Pelvic pain at 36 weeks pregnant
As your growing bump gets larger, and your baby’s head goes further down into your pelvis, you might notice some mild pelvic discomfort. Some women experience this throughout their pregnancy and can be a sign of pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) 17 .
Whilst it’s often easier said than done, try and rest when you can. Sitting on a birthing ball when reading or watching tv and wearing a pregnancy belt when walking can also help. If the pains become severe, seek advice from your doctor or midwife.
Cramp at 36 weeks pregnant
Cramp is a common pregnancy symptom, and usually occurs in the calf muscles or feet, often during the night. If you feel up to it, try some gentle exercises to help with your circulation, and bending, stretching and rotating each foot at regular intervals can also help to ease any discomfort 18
Diarrhoea at 36 weeks pregnant
Diarrhoea isn’t a usual pregnancy symptom, so if this is something you’re experiencing, it may be that you have a stomach bug, or have eaten something to cause tummy troubles.
It’s very important to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest 19 . Whilst symptoms should clear up on their own within a few days, if you’re struggling to manage your symptoms, or have any concerns at all, contact your doctor or midwife. It’s also very important that you don’t take any medications to treat your diarrhoea unless you’ve been advised to do so by a medical professional 20 .
When it comes to eating and preparing food, avoid anything that’s high in salt and saturated fat, and ensure that any meat, fish, eggs and rice are cooked thoroughly 21 . Always wash your hands and any cooking equipment thoroughly before and after your food preparation 22 .
Nausea and vomiting at 36 weeks pregnant
Morning sickness is probably the best known of all the pregnancy symptoms. However, it usually eases and stops anywhere between 16 and 20 weeks of your pregnancy 23 and shouldn’t become worse as your pregnancy progresses.
If you have severe or persistent nausea or vomiting, reach out to your healthcare professional for further advice, as you may be suffering from a stomach bug.
If you feel like eating, it can be helpful to have smaller and more frequent meals rather than bigger ones – little and often is a good rule of thumb. This can also help with other pregnancy symptoms such as heartburn.
Exercise at 36 weeks pregnant
If you’ve got the energy and you feel up to it, it’s fine to remain active in the later stages of pregnancy. Just be sure to go at your own pace and don’t overtire yourself.
Swimming is a great option as the water can take pressure off your back and hips. It can feel quite comforting and relaxing, too. There’s good evidence that regular exercise and staying active during pregnancy can help to prepare your body for labour and help to prevent any complication during the birth 24 . You can learn more about the benefits of exercise during pregnancy here.
Whilst your growing bump may be putting extra pressure on your bladder, it’s still important to drink enough water and stay hydrated. Aim to drink at least 8 200ml glasses of water every day 25 .
Next Steps
Preparing for birth
If you’re planning to have a vaginal birth, it’s a good idea to try and do perineal massage every day, especially if this is your first baby. Ask your midwife about this, as they’ll be able to provide you with advice and guidance around techniques and frequency. Perineal massage can be very helpful when it comes to reducing the chances of you experiencing a tear, or needing an episiotomy when you give birth 26 .
On the practical side of things, make sure that your hospital bag is packed and ready to go, and have maternity pads, breast pads and nappies within easy reach. In addition, if you’re up to it then cook batches of food and freeze for when you come home after the birth, so that you can spend those first precious days getting to know your baby.
Time to wind down
This is a time to wind down at work if you are employed in a job, self-employed, or at home with other children. Taking time off over the last few weeks really helps you to feel physically and mentally ready for labour and birth and gives you time to spend with your partner and/or other children before those first few weeks with a newborn.
Don’t be surprised if you get what we call ‘nesting’ urges and want to clean and tidy and prepare your home for your new family member. You can also use time to practise any breathing techniques and/or meditation and hypnobirthing if you’ve chosen to do these.
Your baby’s future health begins here
At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; and that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.
Week 36
You’ll have an antenatal appointment around now with your doctor or midwife. This will check on your blood pressure, urine, and the size of your bump.
You may not feel like going, as it’s such an effort to get anywhere, but make them a priority.
These appointments save lives as they can pick up on changes in your body that you might not be aware of, such as very high blood pressure.
What’s happening in my body?
Your baby may already have moved head down into your pelvis, which means that they’re in position for labour (or “engaged”). However, this doesn’t mean that labour’s on the way – it could still be weeks away.
If your baby’s not head down yet, then you may be offered external cephalic version (ECV).
This is where your doctor or midwife gently applies a helping hand to your bump to encourage the baby to turn – it’s successful around half the time.
Common ways that babies are born
Here are the main ways of giving birth.
Vaginal delivery
Around 6 out of 10 births in England are vaginal births. This is the most common way that babies are born.
You may need help getting the labour started. This is called induction and can be done by breaking your membranes and/or drugs. You will then go through 3 stages of labour:
- You will feel contractions as your cervix opens up (“dilates”) to around 10cm. This stage lasts 6 to 12 hours.
- Your baby moves down the birth canal towards the opening of your vagina. You may get the urge to push. Then your baby comes out. This stage lasts up to 3 hours if it’s your first baby, or 2 hours if you’ve had a baby before.
- Your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina. This could happen naturally, or you may need an injection of a drug called oxytocin to speed it up. This stage is usually over within 30 minutes.
Caesarean section
Nearly 3 out of 10 babies are delivered by caesarean. This is a procedure that is ideally planned, but it can also be carried out in an emergency. A 10 to 20cm cut is made in your stomach and womb.
Your baby is delivered through the opening and brought over to you, which will require stitches. You will be offered an injection of oxytocin to help your womb contract and reduce blood loss. The procedure takes 40 to 50 minutes. You may need to recover in hospital for a few days.
Assisted delivery
Just over 1 in 10 births are “assisted”, which means that the baby needs some help getting out with the use of a ventouse (suction cup) or forceps (surgical tongs). You will be offered a local anaesthetic or epidural (injection in the back) for pain relief. Some women will need an episiotomy (cut) to make it easier to get the baby out. If you tear, or need a cut, you will need stitches.
Vaginal birth after a caesarean section
It is possible to have a vaginal birth after a caesarean section – it depends on why you needed a caesarean before.
If there’s no medical reason to stop you, then your chances of having a vaginal birth this time around are very good. Talk to your doctor or midwife about the pros and cons.
Baby sling safety
Many parents use a sling or baby carrier instead of a pram to keep their baby close to them.
If you decide to use a sling, make sure you know how to use it safely, as a small number of deaths from suffocation have been linked to slings.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises the safest slings are the ones that hold your baby solidly against your body, in an upright position.
Make sure you can see your baby, that their face is not restricted, and their airways are always clear.
The “Ticks” rule to keep your baby safe when wearing a sling or carrier is:
- T – tight
- I – in view at all times
- C – close enough to kiss
- K – keep chin off the chest
- S – supported back
3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 36 weeks)
Have you noticed a bit of wee leaking out when you laugh or cough? This is your body’s way of preparing for the birth by relaxing the pelvic floor muscles around the bladder.
It may help to wear maternity pads – it’s a good idea to stock up now as you’ll need some after the birth. Also try to practise your pelvic floor exercises.
Your signs of pregnancy could also include:
- painless contractions around your bump, known as Braxton Hicks contractions
- sleeping problems (week 19 has information on feeling tired)
- stretch marks (week 17 has information on stretch marks)
- swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information on gum health during pregnancy)
- pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb (“round ligament pains”)
- piles (week 22 has information on piles)
- headaches
- backache
- indigestion and heartburn (week 25 has information on digestive problems)
- bloating and constipation (week 10 has information on bloating)
- leg cramps (week 20 has information on how to deal with cramp)
- feeling hot
- dizziness
- swollen hands and feet
- urine infections
- vaginal infections (week 15 has information on 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 has information on mood swings)
- morning sickness (week 6 has information on dealing with morning sickness)
- weird pregnancy cravings (week 5 has information on pregnancy cravings)
- a heightened sense of smell
- sore or leaky breasts (week 14 has information on breast pain) – a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)
What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or foetus, is around 47.4cm long from head to heel. That’s approximately the size of a romaine lettuce.
By now, your baby’s lungs are probably mature enough to breathe outside the womb without any help.
Your baby will also be able to suck and digest breast milk. If you’re not sure about breastfeeding yet, read about the benefits of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is good for your baby, as it helps to fight off infections. It’s great for bonding and also burns around 300 calories a day. There’s no reason the size of your breasts should affect your ability to breastfeed.
Your baby is about the size of a romaine lettuce.
Action stations
You should start to prepare the things you will need during the birth now.
Make sure that your bag is packed and you have written down your hospital reference number and important phone numbers. Keep your notes where you can quickly grab them.
This week you could also.
Think about stopping work
You may be on your maternity leave now or about to stop work.
Start doing pelvic floor exercises
It’s a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough.
Get the muscles going by pretending that you’re having a pee and then stopping midflow.
Antenatal classes
Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy’s has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.
Ask your partner if they would like to take part in the antenatal classes. Even if you’ve had children before, antenatal classes are still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be.
The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.
Smoking, drinking and caffeine in pregnancy
Ask your midwife or GP for support.
Vitamins in pregnancy
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D.
From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.
Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.
You just need 10 micrograms daily (it’s the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you’re entitled to free vitamins.
Exercising in pregnancy
You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise – perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England’s #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section).
Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
Healthy eating
There’s no need to eat for 2.
Now you’re in the 3rd trimester, you may need an extra 200 calories a day, but that’s not much. It’s about the same as 2 slices of wholemeal toast with margarine.
You just need to eat a healthy balanced diet, with a variety of different foods every day, including plenty of fruit and veg. Have a look at our guide to healthy eating in pregnancy.
You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.
Emotional and mental wellbeing
How are you today?
If you’re feeling anxious or low, talk to your doctor or midwife, who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.
You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live.
Don’t keep it to yourself – it’s important that you ask for help if you need it.
Contraception
Getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind right now. However, now is a good time to start planning what type of contraception you would like to use after your baby is born.
Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than you realise, and too short a gap between babies is known to cause problems.
Talk to your GP or midwife to help you decide.
Talk to your midwife about newborn screening
You will be offered newborn screening tests for your baby soon after they are born.
These screening tests are recommended by the NHS because they can make sure your baby is given appropriate treatment if needed.
Your decisions about whether or not you want these screening tests will be respected, and healthcare professionals will support you.
Ask your midwife or doctor for more information about newborn screening.
This week’s treat
How would you like to take a little holiday today?
One way of escaping, without leaving home, is to practise anxiety control. This can help you to relax your body and mind, and give you a release from the stresses of life.
Our Mental wellbeing audio guides will teach you the basics. Listen to this every day – and soon you’ll find that you can take a mini break, whenever you choose.
More in week-by-week
Week 37
Your baby could come any day now – and this would not be considered early. Your baby is now “full term”, which means that they’re probably big enough, and mature enough, to survive in the outside world!
