What to expect 36 weeks pregnant
What to expect at 36 weeks pregnant. What happens during the 36th week of pregnancy?
How big is baby at 36 weeks pregnant?
Your baby weighs an impressive 6 pounds (2.7kg) – give or take – and is about the size of a large cabbage.
Your baby is getting ready to take their first gasp of air when they’re born – their lungs are developed and ready to go. Until they take their first breath of air their lungs stay deflated and they get oxygen through the placenta. This is why there is no risk of them inhaling water when they are born into the water during a waterbirth.
If your baby was born now they would be considered moderately premature. It would be fairly unlikely that would need a stay in special care or at least a long stay. Often with a 36 weeks baby, they can need a bit of support regulating their temperature and their blood sugar levels.
What pregnancy symptoms will I experience at week 36?
Braxton Hicks
The only difference between Braxton Hicks’s contractions and real labour contractions is that real contractions will become stronger and closer together over time. Whereas, Braxton Hicks’s contractions will usually stop if you rest, have a wee or have a drink. Remember, that as you are 36 weeks if you do notice that they’re becoming strong or painful and regular, contact your labour ward or triage. You will be advised to birth your 36 week baby at a place of birth where there is a special care unit, just in case baby needs an admission.
What to do this week:
Midwife or Consultant appointment
At this appointment you will be discussing your place of birth. Always consider the middle questions of EBRAN here, and ask questions of your team – especially if they are advising something that wasn’t in your original plan:
What are the benefits? What are the risks? Is there an alternative?
You will also be discussing your birth preferences here. Things like; how you would like your placenta to be delivered? Would you like your baby to receive their vitamin K injection? These are all choices you can make and you can discuss these at this appointment.
You may also have a scan this week if you’ve been having growth scans. Additionally, if your baby’s head is not down at this point then you will likely be referred for a presentation scan. You can read about what is a breech baby here. If it is confirmed your baby is breech then your options will be discussed at this point. One of these options will be an ECV (external cephaloversion). This is a procedure where an obstetrician attempts to turn your baby from the breech position to be head down. ECVs are done in hospital with appropriate monitoring of your baby’s position and heart rate. You can read about how successful is an ECV here.
Your midwife will also take your blood pressure at this appointment, dip your urine, and chat with you about baby’s movements. It is really important that your baby is still moving regularly and following their movement pattern. It is a myth that babies stop moving as much when you get closer to your due date; they do not run out of room! Your baby should always be moving. Reduced movements always need to be looked into so always contact your maternity triage (the number is usually on the front of your notes).
