PREGNANCY WEEK 36 ~ HEALTH and FITNESS

36 WEEKS PREGNANT

It’s month 9 already? Time is flying! Since baby really could decide to arrive any day now, try to put in your final prep work at 36 weeks pregnant. For example, if you took a childbirth class a few months ago, re-read the materials you were given and practice the breathing techniques you learned with your partner. Go over your plan for getting to the hospital and all the what-ifs. Update your boss and colleagues of the status of all your work projects so they know where to take over if you’re suddenly out of the office. Week 36 of pregnancy is also a good time to enjoy a date with your partner. We’re guessing you won’t be up for dancing, but how about a nice dinner?

How Big Is Baby at 36 Weeks?

At 36 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as a papaya, measuring about 18.7 inches from crown to heel and weighing in around 5.8 pounds.

36 Weeks Pregnant Is How Many Months?

36 weeks is eight months pregnant. Welcome to the first week of month 9! You’re just four weeks away from your due date.

36 WEEKS PREGNANT SYMPTOMS

When you have just four weeks to go, pretty much all your symptoms have to do with the fact that baby’s almost here. Your 36 weeks pregnant symptoms may include:

Better ability to breathe. As baby descends into your pelvis, your lungs will have more space, and you’ll be able to breathe more deeply.
Pelvic discomfort. You’re feeling this one for the same reason you can breathe again! Baby’s down low, putting pressure on your pelvis. Look out for signs of labor though, including regular, persistent contractions.
Trouble sleeping. Finding yourself up at 3 a.m. writing thank-you notes or reorganizing the closet? We’ve been there! Find some ways to relax even if you aren't getting much shut-eye.
Heartburn. Your growing baby is crowding your digestive system, preventing it from working the way it did when you weren’t pregnant. Antacids can help (as long as your doctor has okayed them). Prevent heartburn as much as you can by avoiding citrusy, spicy, vinegary, and greasy foods. (No fun, we know, but it’s worth avoiding the pain.)
Swollen ankles and feet. Minor swelling is totally normal at 36 weeks pregnant and you’re even more likely to have it if you’re 36 weeks pregnant with twins. You might find that almost as soon as you deliver your baby, it completely disappears. Seriously! But severe or sudden swelling can be a sign of a serious problem, so let your doctor know ASAP.
Changes in vaginal discharge. At 36 weeks pregnant, discharge may increase as your body readies itself for birth. But look out for watery discharge (which could be amniotic fluid—call your doctor!), blood (a sign of preterm labor), or mucus-like or blood-tinged discharge, which could be the mucus plug. Losing the mucus plug is a sign labor is very near. Just how near though, we can’t say!
Braxton Hicks contractions. You’re probably still experiencing tightening in your abdomen, and it might be getting more intense. In fact, some pregnant women show up at the hospital thinking they’re in labor only to get turned away. Note that at 36 weeks pregnant, cramps that are at least as painful as menstrual cramps aren’t due to Braxton Hicks. If you’re experiencing something more severe, tell your OB right away.

Because at 36 weeks pregnant signs of labor can tough to tell apart from regular pregnancy discomforts, you’ll want to tell your doctor if anything seems out of the ordinary. It’s worth the call. And yes, even a trip to the hospital to find out it’s false labor is totally okay. The worst that could happen is you get sent home to relax and wait.

36 WEEKS PREGNANT BELLY

At 36 weeks, your pregnant belly probably won’t seem to change much from week to week. You’ve probably gained close to 25 to 35 pounds total—the recommended total amount of pregnancy weight gain for women of normal BMI. That’s probably making it challenging to move (or really… waddle) around. You won’t be putting on too much weight from here on out—probably only about a half-pound each week until baby’s born.

If you’re 36 weeks pregnant with twins, you’ve probably gained 35 to 45 pounds total. To say your belly is crowded is an understatement. While many twin moms deliver around week 36, there’s a chance you and your pair might hold on for a few more weeks. Remember that the longer you go, the less likely it is that your babies will need NICU time after birth. So even if you’re feeling super uncomfortable, hang in there and remember this extra time in utero is so good for the twins!

36 WEEKS PREGNANT ULTRASOUND

At 36 weeks pregnant, baby's liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go. Now, baby is getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on his or her own. Plus, your 36-week fetus’s skin is getting smooth and soft, and his or her gums are rigid.

At your week 36 prenatal appointment, your OB may check baby’s position. At this point, baby should already be in a head-down position. If not, he or she is considered “breech.” Don’t panic if your baby at 36 weeks is breech. There’s still a good chance he or she will turn naturally.

Your OB may want to do a version procedure for a breech baby. A version is an attempt to turn baby by pushing and/or lifting your pregnant belly. Sounds rough (and we hear it doesn’t feel great), but don’t worry. It’s a low-risk procedure and it works more than half the time. Beforehand, you might be given medication to relax your uterus. You’ll have a 36 weeks pregnant ultrasound, so the doctor can clearly see baby’s position and the location of the placenta. Ultrasound may also be used during the procedure to guide the doctor’s movements. And baby’s heart rate will be monitored before, after, and possibly even during the version to make sure all seems well. Fingers crossed things are soon looking up… er, down?... for baby.

You’ll get a Group B Strep test around week 36 of your pregnancy. This is a test to see if you have a common bacterium called (you guessed it) Group B Strep in your body. If you do, you might never even notice it, or it might cause a problem such as a UTI. For baby though, the bacteria could cause more severe problems and could even be life threatening. About 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women test positive for Group B. Treatment is simple: You’ll need an antibiotic drip during labor to significantly reduce the chances of transmitting the bacteria to baby.

If you’re 36 weeks pregnant with twins or have a high-risk condition such as high blood pressure or kidney or heart disease, you may have a biophysical profile this week. This combo of ultrasound and non-stress test gives your doctor a pretty good picture of how baby’s doing and rules out the need to deliver early.