week 36 of your pregnancy (2023)

At 36 weeks gestation, you are officially nine months old. Yes you've read correctly. Although allusions are often made to "nine months pregnant“In reality, the full term is closer to 10 months (and sometimes a little more) when all is said and done. But you are now on the home stretch and as you continue to prepare for the baby's arrival, do it yourself.

Your baby's development at 36 weeks

At 36 weeks, a baby will measure almost 32.9 centimeters from crown to bottom (known asCrown-rump length), and the baby's height is almost 18 1/2 inches (46.8 centimeters) from crown to heel (heel length). This week the baby weighs about 6 pounds (2745 grams).

baby position

It is very likely that your baby is in the nowinverted position, prepare for the birthday. By 36 weeks, up to 93% of babies are on their stomachs, and by 37 weeks, 97% of babies are on their stomachs for delivery.

Sono-Zyklus

The baby's sleep-wake cycle is developing more and more. At 36 weeks, your baby is still actively sleeping but is now also having a distinct period of restful sleep.

eyelids

At 36 weeks, your baby's eyelids have smooth edges and are almost fully formed.

Survival outside the womb

Babies born at 36 weeks are considered 'late premature' or 'short-term'. They are about to hatch, but are still maturing. After birth, they may need little or no help. Most babies are doing very well at this stage. The survival rate after 36 weeks is over 99%.

Explore some of your baby's 36-week milestones in this interactive experience.

Your most common symptoms this week

Her belly hasn't finished changing yet. It won't change again until you feel like you've adjusted to its size and shape, and if you're about to go into labor, keep in mind that the baby will "fall" into your pelvis.

Turn on

If your tummy suddenly looks different, don't panic. When the baby changes position and falls into the pool, they are calledbrightening. Once your baby settles into your pelvis, you may feel like you finally have more room to breathe. The trade-off, of course, is more pressure on the pelvic area.

While falls are a way for a baby to prepare for birth, it doesn't necessarily mean labor is just around the corner. In new mothers, this decline can occur 2-4 weeks before birth. However, the second time can occur later and not before the onset of labor.

pelvic pressure

As you enter the third trimester, your baby and uterus continue to grow and weigh more. Also, if the baby falls, a lot of pressure can be put on the pelvis, which can cause pain and a feeling of heaviness. Some people describe the feeling as similar to squeezing a bowling ball between your legs.

Personal care tips

Although you may have experienced in the past few weeksRib pain and shortness of breathSo once the baby falls off, you will likely struggle with additional pelvic pain.

Dealing with pelvic pain and pressure

pain in the pelvic areaIt is common in this last stage of pregnancy. It affects 1 in 5 during pregnancy.Although you can't actually avoid this pain, there are a few things you can do to reduce your discomfort:

• Use a pelvic support belt for pregnant women.
• Ask your doctor if it's safetake a warm bath.
• Sit or lie down with your feet up.
• Check thework signso you can tell the difference between tenderness and labor pain.

Most importantly, hold on. You are now at the end of your pregnancy. It won't be long before the source of the pressure is born and you feel relief.

Partner Tips

As your pregnant partner prepares to ask the doctor questions about labor and delivery, it's up to you to do the same. Here are some points you may want to discuss with your doctor or midwife and/or your partner:

• check howcount the contractions; You may also consider downloading an app specifically designed to help you with that when it all starts.
• See how long each one lastsstage of laborusually lasts.
• Check thedelivery scheduleso you can be your partner's advocate.
• Think of different types of distractions andSupport for the different stages of labor(And remember that while they may be helpful to some, your partner may or may not be in the mood for them right now.)

In your doctor's office

You can expect the usual checks this week.routine visit:

• weight control
• blood pressure control
• Urine tests
• swelling control
• Measurement of find height
• Hear the baby's heartbeat
• discussion of symptoms
• answering your questions

weight gain

The recommended weight gain during pregnancy for those who are a "normal" weight before pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds.

In the third quarter it is expected that this will be possiblegaining about a pound a week. So by week 36, you may have gained about 11 pounds since the beginning of your pregnancy. Of course, every pregnancy is different, so talk to your doctor about how much weight you've gained to make sure you're on the right track for your health.

vaginal examination

During this week, your doctor may begin vaginal or internal exams. Internal examinations check whether the cervix is ​​obliterated andextensionand the position of the baby in the birth canal.Not all providers start these scans at 36 weeks, and not all want them at this point in their pregnancy. If you do not agree with this exam, you have the right to refuse it and there is no risk of skipping it.

screen test

In one of his engagements between this week and38 weeks, you will take a screening testGroup B Streptococci(also known as GBS or Beta Streptococci).

For this test, your doctor will take a sample of bacteria from your vagina and rectum using a cotton swab. The swab is sent to a laboratory for culture and analysis for group B streptococci.For more information, see Special Considerations below.

Questions to ask

Take the time at your doctor's office to check everythingSigns that you may be in labour. Bring your notebook and ask any questions you like, such as:

• Can I eat and drink during labor?
• what can i do at homespeed up laboras soon as i started
• What time do you recommend this?go to the birth center or hospital?
• What happens if I show up early? You couldsend me home?
• What if mywater fallsMarry me?

Special considerations

With your baby's birthday approaching, your doctor wants to make sure you know when you should go to the hospital for delivery, and their recommendation will depend in part on the results of your GBS test.

birth chances this week

About 12% of babies are born prematurely or before 37 weeks.In a large study of more than 34 million US births between 2007 and 2015, about 6% of pregnancies were delivered between 34 and 36 weeks.

Group B Streptococci

Group B Streptococci (GBS)it's a type of bacteria. It's common, but not everyone has it. About 25% of expectant parents (1 in 4) wear it. In most healthy adults, it causes no symptoms and is not harmful. However, it can cause serious infection or even death in newborns.

positive Tests

It can be scary to find out you have group B strep, but try not to worry. Treatment is simple: you are simply given antibiotics during labour. Remember that 25% of pregnant women are positive. And while GBS is dangerous for babies, it's rare for a baby to get it. If positive, your provider will review the plan with you, which will likely look like this:

• You can take care of your daily life and plan while you wait for your baby to arrive.
• As soon as you go into labor or your water ruptures, you will likely be told to go straight to the hospital.
• Hospital staff should have your records, but you can remind them that you are GBS positive.
• You will be given antibiotics intravenously during labor and you can deliver your baby vaginally if there are no other complications.

Without treatment, about 1% to 2% of babies born to positive mothers will develop GBS infection. When treated during labor, the number is much lower, with only 1 in 4,000 babies developing an infection.

A word from Verywell

You only have one month (4 weeks) left until the long awaited one40 week mark. While babies are notorious for following their own schedules, it's safe to say that you probably only have a few weeks left of pregnancy (or enjoying them, depending on your perspective!).

When faced with the discomforts of late pregnancy, try to enjoy kicking, pushing, and turning the baby while you can; Many women are surprised at how much they are missed when the baby finally lives in the outside world.