Pregnant: What happens in week 36 of pregnancy

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

Ready for birth: Your baby is sufficiently developed 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 preemie“would be considered. Only from the completed 37th week of pregnancy is the birth no longer considered premature. However, medical assistance is usually not necessary and being born preterm does not mean a limitation in later development.

On the way into the pelvis: Perhaps your baby already moved into the starting position a few weeks ago. The lightening contractions are now bringing it further down into your pelvis. If it is already firmly settled in the pelvis at week 36, it has already „engaged“. In this position it has little space left and the baby's movements are mostly limited to stretching, turning, or kicking. In a second or third pregnancy, it is not unusual for your baby to move into the starting position only shortly before birth.

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

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

Approximately 200 grams your little darling has gained since the 35th week of pregnancy gained, so it now weighs around 2,700 grams. Your child is now once again putting on some fat layers, 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 \ryourself a romaine lettuce next to your belly, because that's about the size of your baby now.

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

Schwangerschaft 36 SSW | Schwangere Frau sitzt auf grauem Sofa im Schneidersitz

In week 36 of pregnancy, you are probably feeling a mix of anticipation for your child and the desire to have your body back. And rightfully so: Now pregnancy complaints may occur, that you already know from the first trimester. Since the uterus now takes up so much space in your belly, nausea may occur. Your bladder will also continue to be strained, as your baby is lying heavily on it. Now it may happen that you involuntarily leak some urine, for example when sneezing or coughing. Our tip: Exercise your pelvic floor muscles, then you'll have better control. What else in terms of physical changes await you, find out in the overview:

Fewer fetal movements: For the last 9 months you have shared your body with your baby. Since around week 20, you've been feeling increasingly strong kicks. Even if these can hurt, they let you know that your baby is thriving. 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 in week 36 is therefore completely normal. However, you should still feel your baby once a day. Our tip: If you are worried \rthat your child is too quiet, you can always call your doctor or midwife and have the have your baby's heart tones checked.

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

Edema/Fluid retention: Now towards the end of your pregnancy you will probably be struggling more with fluid retention. You can prevent edema by occasionally putting your feet up and taking a break. Walks in the fresh air or light physical activity also help to flush out your fluid retention. Important note: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Because you won't get rid of edema faster by taking in less fluid. Your body needs the water – only then can it flush waste through your kidneys and get your digestive tract moving.

Increased pressure and pulling sensations: Now it may be that you occasionally already have lightening contractions and feel increased 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 you can't bear the pressure anymore, movement helps. Relax your pelvic floor and go for a walk. After that, it should be better again.

What birth positions are there?

Your baby is slowly getting ready for birth. In recent weeks it has often practiced and taken the fetal position: With arms folded over the chest and legs drawn up, it lay head-down in your uterus. At prenatal check-ups, the doctor now places particular importance on the position of your baby. Depending on how it is positioned, a cesarean section may be necessary to safely bring your baby into the world.

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

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

Transverse lie: 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, doctors and midwives recommend that you as expectant mothers massage your perineum, i.e., the area between the vagina and 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 tear of the perineum during birth is significantly lower with regular massage.

To the 37th week of pregnancy