36th Week Pregnancy: Symptoms And Baby Development

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How Many Months Pregnant Are You In The 36th week?

In the 36th week, you are in the eighth month and the third trimester of pregnancy. You are just a week away from full term.

How Big Is Your Baby At 36 Weeks?

This week, babies are usually about the size of a large cabbage

(1). An average baby measures 19.13in (48.6cm) in length and weighs about 6.30lb (2.859kg) (2).

Baby Development In The 36th week

Fetal position and movements:By the 36th week, the baby attains a head-down position deep into your pelvis

. The movements will be lesser compared to the previous months, due to the insufficient space inside the uterus. There will be more leg and arm movements and fewer squirming movements. Since the baby is head-down, you will feel the kicks mostly under your ribs.

What symptoms of pregnancy do you experience in the 36th week?

The symptoms in the 36th week are more or less similar to those you have been experiencing in the last couple of months. They include:

• Weight gain: An average weight gain of one to two pounds per week during the third trimester of pregnancy is considered safe, as recommended by the American Pregnancy Association (APA) (8). However, in case of women who have BMI less than 18.5 and greater than 24.9, the recommended weight gain rates usually range in between 0.5 to one pound.

• As the baby moves down into the pelvis, the pressure from the diaphragm is released, making it easier to breathe (9).

• You could feel nauseated, due to some bodily changes in the last few months. Slowed digestion, combined with the uterus’ pressure on the stomach, can push the food upwards into the esophagus, resulting in nausea and vomiting.

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• Body aches, frequent urge to urinate and anxiety about the delivery can cause trouble sleeping.

• You may experience pressure and discomfort in the pelvic area when the baby engages the head deep into the pelvis.

• The growing uterus’ pressure on the rectal veins causes the blood vessels to swell up in that area, resulting in hemorrhoids.

• The growing uterus also pushes the stomach acids into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

• As the digestion process slows down, the food remains in the digestive tract for a long time, making you feel bloated and gassy and can cause constipation.

• The excess water retention in the body causes swelling of feet and ankles.

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• Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and painless contractions that help prepare your body for labor.

• Fatigue is quite common towards the end of pregnancy.

• The pressure exerted by the enlarged uterus increases the frequency of urination.

• The pregnancy hormones relax the joints, which can lead to hip pain.

• As there is a shift in the center of gravity of the body, you may feel clumsy. With just four weeks to go, you start experiencing bodily changes that indicate your baby is on track.

Julia Goolia, a mother of three, reflects on her experiences during the 36th week of her fourth pregnancy. She remarks, “I seriously think I pee nearly every hour now, which is absurd and annoying, but I’m also trying to force down the fluids more than ever with this summer heat wave we’re experiencing. When I drink more and have to pee more, it seems like I have more BH contractions, just because there is so much pressure down there! I can feel him punching my bladder and cervix and definitely feel the ‘lightening’ sensation that I can breathe easier and have more room up top now (i).”

Point to consider

At 36 weeks of pregnancy, you may also experience symptoms such as a heightened sense of smell, a milky-white vaginal discharge, and light spotting (1).

Changes In The Body In The 36th Week

Your body is likely to undergo some of these physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. Read on to learn about the changes this week.

Physical changes:

• Itchy and enlarged belly. The enlarged belly makes your movements difficult and even cause trouble sleeping. Women pregnant with twins may deliver around this week.

• Milky white fluid discharge from the breast begins. This fluid is called colostrum.

• Stretch marks are evident.

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• Breasts are enlarged with darker nipples and areolas.

• Prominent linea nigra.

Things to know

Chloasma, also referred to as the mask of pregnancy, is a condition in which your face may develop brown spots or darkened skin during the 36-week of your pregnancy (1).

Emotional changes:

• Mood swings
• Nesting instincts
• Anxiety
• Fear of labor

If the symptoms feel abnormal, or it feels like you may be in labor, go to the doctor immediately.

When To Call The Doctor?

• If there are any significant changes in the fetal movement.

• Sudden weight gain, blurred vision, persistent headache, sudden swelling of hands and face, lightheadedness, abdominal pain, and breathlessness.

• Dark yellowish or orange colored urine with or without odor, accompanied by lower back pain or abdominal pain.

• Vaginal itching or burning sensation while urinating.

• Dry mouth and extreme thirst accompanied by fatigue, blurred vision, or dizziness.
• Unilateral swelling or tenderness in the leg, with or without pain.

Your OB/GYN Visit

During your prenatal care appointment this week, the doctor will check your:

• Weight
• Blood pressure
• Urine test
• Fundal height

Other tests include:

• Ultrasound: To check the health and position of the baby as well as to monitor cervical dilation and effacement. Biophysical profiling is done to check the heart rate, length, and weight of the fetus.

• Group B strep test: A screening test of the vaginal and rectal swabs is done to check for Streptococcus group B infection. In case of a positive test result, antibiotics will be administered intravenously during the labor (for a vaginal birth) (9).

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If the symptoms are typical and the pregnancy progresses smoothly, continue to care for yourself until it’s time for labor.

Tips For The Mom-To-Be

• Avoid jerky movements and get up or off the bed slowly when you are lying down.

• A warm bath helps relieve hemorrhoids, leg cramps, and back pain.

• Avoid carbonated drinks, citrus, spicy, and deep-fried foods as they worsen heartburn.

• Eat home-cooked meals

• Take your prenatal vitamins as prescribed by your doctor.

• Walking helps boost your energy levels and lets you sleep soundly and prevents the risk of sleep deprivation.

• Stay hydrated. Avoid drinking water or drink less one hour before going to bed, to reduce the frequency of urination at night and to avoid a disturbed sleep.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothes.

• Get a massage for body aches and back pain.

• Do not take OTC medicines without the doctor’s advice.

• Engage yourself by reading books on postpartum recovery and breastfeeding.

• Connect with your family and friends.

• Start packing your maternity bag. Keep all the essentials such as nursing pads, sanitary pads, comfortable clothes for the hospital, diapers, and clothes for the newborn ready.

• Discuss with your doctor the possibility of a cesarean section or VBAC if you have had a c-section.

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• Discuss with your doctor about the possibility of cesarean or VBAC, if you had a previous c-section.

Point to consider

Start wearing a nursing bra if your breasts are causing you any discomfort while you sleep. Even before your baby is born, nursing bras offer crucial support. It can also be worn during the day if it seems more comfortable (12).

Discuss the delivery options with your partner and seek his help whenever necessary. Also, do not hesitate to contact a doula or a midwife if you have any concerns.

Tips For The Dad-To-Be

Your partner can be your primary support system. Here’s what he can do.

• Help with daily household chores, and prepare for infant care, including diaper changing sessions.
• Be with you during the prenatal visits.
• Make sure that the hospital bag is ready
• Consider buying baby gear essentials to prepare for the newborn’s arrival.
• Keep the documents necessary for delivery at the hospital ready.
• Start looking for a good pediatrician around your place.
• Spend quality time with you and help you in planning the baby’s nursery.
• Accompany you during pregnancy, parenting, and childbirth education classes.
• Be your partner during the workout sessions.
• Plan a day out, dinner or picnic.

Infographic: Pregnancy Symptoms During 36 Weeks Of Gestation

Entering the 36th week of pregnancy means you are just a week or two away from welcoming your baby. However, with the happiness and excitement of childbirth, you’ll experience many pregnancy-related symptoms. Check out the infographic below to learn about pregnancy symptoms at 36 weeks gestation.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

It’s almost time! Learn what to expect at 36 weeks pregnant and get tips and advice to help you prepare for the big day in this video!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Sangeeta AgrawalFRCOG, MD, DNB, DGO

Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal is an obstetrician and gynecologist with around 29 years of experience in the field. She worked in Royal London, St. Bartholomew’s, North Middlesex, and Barnet General hospitals in London and currently runs her clinic in Mumbai.

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shreeja pillaiMSc

Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Mumbai. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company.

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Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Aneesha AmonzMSc

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

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