At 36 weeks pregnant, you may be counting down the days until your due date — or maybe until the first date that would be considered full-term! You may be getting very tired of pregnancy and feeling very ready to bring your baby into the world!
You’ve probably heard stories about certain food dishes causing labor, and may be tempted to try the prune casserole or the extra-spicy nachos. There’s little, if any, evidence to support this, though. Your baby will arrive when he’s ready!
Your Baby’s Development At 36 Weeks
If your baby were born next week, he’d be considered early term. His lungs are nearly ready, his bones are hardening, and his immune system is continuing to prepare for life in the outside world. It’s still a good idea to limit his exposure after he’s born, though.
Your doctor may do a scan to check your baby’s size and position. By now, most babies have settled into a head-down position, which means that the movement you’re feeling has likely changed, with a lot less flipping and turning. Still, keep up the kick counts, because your baby’s activity is your best metric for his wellbeing!
On average, the fetus at this point is around 18.5 inches long and weighs about 6lb, but if your baby seems to be measuring larger, your doctor may wish to discuss options like induction or c-section.
Mother’s Symptoms At 36 Weeks Pregnant
With only about a month left in your pregnancy, you can start really watching for signs that labor is imminent. Your doctor will begin seeing you weekly now, and may ask more questions about changes in vaginal discharge, and about other signs that your cervix is thinning and preparing for delivery.
Weight & Breathing
Your back and legs may be complaining these days. Back pain is common, but be aware that lower back pain, especially if it comes in waves or spasms, may be a sign of labor.
The best thing you can do for your body is to get enough rest, take regular breaks, and stay hydrated. Supportive garments may be a close second. A belly band can help alleviate some of the pressure on your back. Supportive shoes can also make things less intense for your back and legs.
The extra pressure on your lungs, combined with a higher blood volume, may cause shortness of breath, headaches, and dizziness. If you feel unsteady, sit or lie down to regain your balance. Falls late in pregnancy can harm your baby!
Preterm Labor
At 37 weeks, your baby would be considered early term, but at 36 weeks pregnant, you’re still preterm. If you go into labor this week, your doctor may deliver your baby or take measures to help you hold out a little longer.
By now, you may be having fairly frequent Braxton hicks contractions, but labor contractions will be a bit different. While Braxton Hicks are randomly timed and tend to stop when you change position, labor contractions will continue getting harder and more frequent. You can time them (many apps will do this for you) to keep a record. If you experience several in an hour, call your doctor.
If your water breaks, things may begin moving very quickly. You should contact medical services or make your way safely to the hospital. Your medical team will discuss options with you and determine whether it’s best to deliver early or admit you to the hospital and try to help you hold onto the pregnancy a bit longer.
Other possible signs of preterm labor include lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, or diarrhea.
Bleeding & Discharge
Throughut pregnancy, you may have noticed a whitish vaginal discharge. It may become thicker as you approach delivery. As long as there isn’t a foul smell and/or a greenish or gray color, this is normal. It helps protect your uterus from infection.
In the coming weeks, you may notice a new type of discharge, sometimes referred to as bloody show. In the early weeks, your body formed a mucus plug, a thick substance to block your cervix and protect your uterus from infection. When your cervix begins to thin and dilate, it can become dislodged.
It is typically lost in the 37th week or later, but it can occur earlier. You may also see pieces after an internal exam. It can be clear or whitish, or may have streaks of red or pink.
If you lose pieces of the mucus plug before 37 weeks, you should mention it to your doctor, but it does not mean you are in labor. There is likely a lot more of it than you’d expect, and it can even reform. You may go into labor soon after passing the mucus plug, but it could still be weeks away.
Swelling & Other Warning Signs For Preeclampsia
Many women will see some swelling during pregnancy. This can cause additional symptoms and frustrations, like carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can also be a warning sign of more serious conditions.
Severe swelling, or swelling that affects the face and chest, may be a sign of preeclampsia. This condition must be closely monitored for the safety of both you and your baby as it places you in the high-risk pregnancy category. If it becomes severe, it may be necessary to deliver your baby early.
Aside from swelling, be on the lookout for severe headaches that persist and vision changes.
Digestion & Cravings
At 36 weeks pregnant, cravings may be driving you crazy! If you haven’t yet, take a moment to check out our pregnancy cravings guide to see what may be driving your latest food obsession. Then, eat what your body is asking for, as long as it’s safe to do so! (If you crave non-foods, speak to your doctor.)
Heartburn and indigestion may be getting worse as your growing baby and uterus put more pressure on your other organs and take up more space. Most doctors agree that antacids like Tums and Rolaids are okay, as long as they don’t contain aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate.
If you’re noticing that it’s harder to finish your plate, no matter how hungry you are, you can blame that on your baby’s space-hogging, too. Just wrap the leftovers up and try again in a little while!
Many women will suffer constipation during pregnancy, perhaps more so closer to delivery. Increasing your water and fiber intake can be beneficial, as can the use of stool softeners. Avoid using laxatives unless your doctor advises explicitly, since they can cause contractions.
Pain & Cramping
Many types of pain are normal throughout these last weeks of pregnancy. The extra weight added by your baby and his support system, as well as hormonal changes to loosen joints ahead of labor, and other pregnancy side effects like dehydration, all add up to a lot of opportunities for general discomfort.
Round ligament pain can be characterized by an intense pulling or stabbing sensation in the lower abdomen, resulting from stress on the round ligaments that support the uterus. It can be relieved to a degree by a position change that shifts the weight.
Pelvic girdle pain affects the ring of bones at the base of the body, including the hips. In some cases, it can be intense enough to affect mobility. For minor pain and discomfort, a change in position and/or over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication may be sufficient. If it’s severe, your doctor may recommend specific stretches or exercises targeted to help, or even physical therapy.
Backaches are very common during pregnancy, as your spine adjusts to carrying extra weight and a different center of balance. However, be aware of any new lower back pain, as it can sometimes be a sign of labor.
Skin & Breasts
You’ve likely noticed some colostrum leaking by now, although some people may not experience any leakage at all before delivery. If you’re noticing dampness from this, adding nursing pads to your bra is a good idea to avoid irritation or thrush. If you do notice rash, pain, bleeding, or cracked nipples, contact your doctor.
In the last few weeks, stretch marks may appear more severely and cause more discomfort than earlier. If they’re itchy or feel like they’re pulling painfully, or even if you want to reduce the visibility, a gentle lotion can help increase the elasticity of your skin and ease itching and pain.
You may notice visible spider veins on your legs, face, or chest. If they’re painful, swollen, or feel warm to the touch, it could indicate a clot; otherwise, they’re typically not a sign of any additional medical concern.
Varicose veins in your legs can appear without any new discomfort, or they can be painful or achy. Your doctor may recommend wearing compression socks, increasing your walking, or elevating your feet to minimize symptoms.
Mood, Stress, & Sleep Struggles
There are numerous hormonal changes occurring throughout pregnancy, especially towards the end, so don’t be surprised if your mood is affected at 36 weeks pregnant. You may feel a range of emotions, including weepy, anxious, excited, impatient, and others.
In these last few weeks, you may notice a nesting instinct kicking in. While not everyone experiences this sensation, for those who do, it can be like a second wind, with increased energy and desire to clean, organize, start big projects, and otherwise stay busy and prepare for their baby. Take advantage of this burst of energy if you can, but don’t overdo it!
Stress also has a significant impact at this time. You may be trying to finish all your last-minute planning, finish projects at work before taking maternity leave, and purchase the right car seat. All these things are essential, but try to relax a bit if you can!
All of this combined, as well as the various physical difficulties of pregnancy, can make it very hard to get enough rest. Then, the stress and disrupted sleep can contribute to nightmares!
When To Contact Your Doctor
As your due date grows nearer, and some of your symptoms shift or become more severe, it can be difficult to be sure whether to call the doctor or take a break and wait for the issue to pass. You should feel that you can contact your doctor any time that a symptom raises concern. However, a few symptoms always warrant a call.
Preterm Labor Symptoms
Your baby would still be considered premature or preterm if born this week. Next week, your baby will be considered early term. The extra week(s) are crucial for lung and brain development, so if you notice signs of preterm labor, contact your doctor immediately.
These symptoms include rupture of membranes; labor contractions that are regular and increase in frequency and intensity; a new lower backache (especially if it seems to come in waves); pains that feel like strong menstrual cramping; or vaginal bleeding or leaking. In some cases, they may also include severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Preeclampsia
If you experience symptoms of preeclampsia, you need to contact your provider immediately. These symptoms can be managed with close monitoring. Symptoms to report include excessive or sudden swelling; any swelling that affects the face and/or chest; swelling that is more prominent on one side of the body; vision changes; and severe headaches.
Decreased Fetal Activity
If you notice that your baby isn’t moving as much as usual, let your doctor know. When you call, they will likely ask for your most recent kick count, so it’s best to be ready to share the difference between your baby’s usual activity and their current activity.
Other Symptoms Requiring A Call To Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you have a fever over 100 degrees, signs of dehydration, severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Seek immediate medical care for any fainting or loss of consciousness, chest pain or cramping, or unusual pain or cramping in legs or arms. You should also call for symptoms like vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge; cracked or bleeding nipples; or any signs of UTI or vaginal infection.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 36 Weeks Pregnant?
Your next few weeks will be a bit busier. You’ll have a weekly prenatal visit now instead of every two weeks, and you may need more rest as your body prepares for labor.
Nonetheless, you may be experiencing a rush of energy as the nesting instinct kicks in, so use that to your advantage and finish up some important pre-baby tasks! Make sure you have your hospital bag ready, and that you have an infant-appropraiate car seat and have learned to install it in your vehicle.
Don’t forget to keep up the kick counts! You should do these at the same time every day to be sure you have a consistent record for comparison.
What To Look Forward To
In the next few weeks, life is going to change! At 36 weeks pregnant it won’t be long before you’ll be holding your new little one in your arms! In these last weeks, enjoy relaxing time with your partner, and enjoy things that will be a little rarer after your baby is born, like going for a walk without a diaper bag, or taking a relaxing bath that doesn’t involve listening for cries!