Pregnant: What happens in week 36 of pregnancy

Your baby's development in the 36th week of pregnancy

Ready for birth: Your baby is developed enough in the 36th week of pregnancy that it can breathe and eat on its own can. Its digestive and immune systems also function outside the womb. In the case of an early birth, your baby would still be considered a "late preterm"would be. Only from the completed 37th week of pregnancy is the birth no longer considered premature. However, medical support is usually not necessary and being born early does not mean any limitation for later development.

On the way into the pelvis: Maybe your baby already moved into the starting position a few weeks ago. The lightening contractions are now bringing it deeper into your pelvis. If it is already firmly in the pelvis in week 36 of pregnancy, it has already 'settled'. In this position it has very little space left and the fetal movements are usually limited to stretching, turning, or kicking. In a second or third pregnancy, it is not unusual for your baby to move into starting position only shortly before birth.

Less amniotic fluid: The amniotic fluid in your belly has been decreasing since the 32nd week of pregnancy less and less, because your baby is growing rapidly and needs more and more space. But what happens to the amniotic fluid? Your little miracle swallows and digests it. Now in week 36 of pregnancy it swallows up to 3 liters of amniotic fluid daily and excretes it again. This means the urinary tract preparations of your baby for after birth are in full swing.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

Approximately 200 grams your little treasure has gained since the 35th week of pregnancy so that it now weighs around 2,700 grams. Your child is now again adding a good amount of fat pads, to fill its energy reserves for the time after birth. These are essential so that it can maintain its temperature outside your cozy belly can. Babies are now on average 47 cm long – hold up \ryourself a romaine lettuce next to your belly, because that's about how big your baby is now.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 36 of pregnancy?

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In week 36 of pregnancy, excitement about your child and the desire to have your body back probably mix. And rightly so: now pregnancy complaints may occur, that you already know from the 1st trimester. Because the uterus now takes up a lot of space in your abdomen, nausea may occur. Your bladder is also further stressed because your baby lies heavily on it. Now it may be that you inadvertently pass some urine, for example when sneezing or coughing. Our tip: Train your pelvic floor muscles, then you'll have better control. What else besides these complaints may await you in terms of physical changes, you can find out in overview:

Fewer fetal movements: For the last 9 months you've shared your body with your baby. Approximately since week 20 you feel the increasingly stronger kicks. Even if these can hurt, they let you know that your baby is developing splendidly. If your child has moved into the birth position, it doesn't move as much anymore – because it now has much less space. Less activity is therefore completely normal in week 36 of pregnancy. However, you should still feel your baby once a day. Our tip: If you are \rworried because your child is too quiet, you can always call your doctor or your midwife and have the your baby's heart tones checked.

Freedom for the lungs: If your baby has settled in this week, then you will probably feel a great relief when breathing. The lung lobes now have space again to expand. But because your baby is now lying deeper in the pelvis, it presses on the pelvic floor and sitting or walking becomes increasingly uncomfortable.

Edema / water retention: Now toward the end of your pregnancy you are probably increasingly struggling with water retention. You can prevent edema by occasionally putting your feet up and taking a break. Additionally, walks in the fresh air or light physical activity help flush out your water retention. Important note: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Because you will not get rid of edema faster by consuming less fluid. Your body needs the water – only this way can it flush waste through your kidneys and get your digestive tract moving.

Increased pressure and pulling: Now it may be that you occasionally already have lightening contractions and feel greater pressure on your pelvis and bladder. With the lightening contractions your baby moves further into the birth canal. This can cause back pain. If you feel that you can no longer bear the pressure, movement helps. Relax your pelvic floor and go for a walk. Afterwards it should be better again.

What birth positions are there?

Slowly your baby is getting ready for birth. In recent weeks it has often practiced and assumed the fetal position: With arms crossed in front of the chest and legs drawn up, it lay head down in your uterus. At prenatal check-ups, your doctor now places special emphasis on your baby's position. Depending on how it lies, a cesarean section may be necessary to bring your baby into the world safely.

Head position: If your baby lies head down in the pelvis, this is the so-called head position. In this position the majority of babies are born. Ideally, your baby faces your spine, the anterior occiput position. Then it can slide past your pelvis with the widest part of its head unobstructed. If your child faces forward, it is one of the 'face-up' babies. A vaginal birth is still possible then, but much more difficult and probably also longer. In this case your \rdoctor or midwife may try to to turn your baby before birth.

Pelvic or breech position: If your baby has not turned head down by the onset of labor, it will be born in breech position. If a breech position is already apparent in week 36 of pregnancy, it may be that your doctor suggests an external cephalic version. However, this only works in a few cases and may only be performed if you have never delivered by cesarean section. A vaginal birth is possible with a breech presentation, but must be monitored and accompanied very closely.

Transverse position: In the rarest cases the baby lies crosswise in the uterus shortly before birth. In this position a vaginal birth is impossible and it must be delivered by cesarean section.

Tip for birth preparation

Regular perineal massage: From week 36 of pregnancy, doctors and midwives recommend that you as expectant mothers massage your perineum, the area between the vagina and the anus, once daily for about 10 minutes. With mild oils and a gentle massage from inside and out, the perineal tissue becomes more elastic and optimally prepared for birth. The risk of an unpleasant perineal tear during birth is significantly lower with regular massage.

To the 37th week of pregnancy