Congratulations! You are now at the 36th week of pregnancy. This means that the pregnancy has come full term and the baby can be born at anytime. You may think that you are entering into the 9th month but technically pregnancy lasts 10 months. If you were to figure the due date from the date of conception, you will add up to 9 months. Since some people consider birth at 36 weeks to be early, it is not. By now the baby has been in the head down position and has been sitting in your pelvic bone.
For the next few weeks, you may start to become anxious. Now you know that the baby can be born anytime now. Keep your parents phone number on hand, your partners numbers and the doctor all on speed dial. This way when the time comes to have the baby you or someone around you doesn’t have to fumble around for the numbers. By now you should also have a bag packed for the hospital and enough gas in the car to get to the hospital. Your hospital bag should include a nightgown or two, a pair of slippers, a change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and a book to read.
By now you are physically feeling rather heavy and not beautiful, your size is pretty much getting in the way of driving, shopping and even tying your own shoes. There are still 4 more week possibly so hang in there. The baby and the new mom to be will continue to gain a bit more weight until the baby is born. An average week for the baby to be born is about 37 and 41st week.
Baby’s Development
At week thirty-six the baby is completely developed and has come full term. By now the baby will continue to move around and start their descent into the pelvic area. The baby is getting ready for delivery but if the baby’ feet are down rather than the head, the doctor may try turning the baby and if that doesn’t work a Cesarean Section may be performed.
The baby from head to toe is about 20 inches or so. The may weigh about 6 pounds too, this is an estimate and the doctor has been monitoring the weight and length since the start so if there was a problem you would know about it. Remember that these weighs and lengths are guidelines and do not reflect every pregnancy.
The baby’s brain is still developing but at a fast rate. The baby is continuing to practice blinking and the baby is practicing how to suck. The baby is still swallowing amniotic fluid and gets rid of it as urine.
Changes to Your Body
By now you may be experiencing some fatigue and tension. You have been pregnant for the last 9 months and though you only want a healthy baby, you don’t want to be pregnant anymore. It is perfectly normal to think that way. Most new moms to be have those thoughts more than once. You may be experiencing restlessness, lack of sleep, mood swings and sensitivity. You may start crying and have no idea why, again, perfectly normal.
Though now you may be limited to what you can do, such as working, shopping, traveling and so forth. You have to try to find some activities that do not require a lot of over exertion. Find something that you can do that will keep you busy while you are waiting for your baby to arrive. The uterus is now 5.5 inches above the belly button and the uterus is about 1000 times the normal size. You have put on some weight and you are increasing becoming uncomfortable in your own skin.
As the baby continues to move, you may start to feel more and more pressure in the lower abdominal area. You are making more trips to the bathroom now and you are exerting yourself every time you have to get up. You should be going to the doctors on a weekly basis now and if you are considered to be a high-risk pregnancy a C-Section may be recommended. The doctor will be checking the amniotic fluid levels as well as your urine and blood pressure on every single visit.
At week thirty-six, you may be still experiencing heartburn, frequent urination, backaches and discomfort in the pelvic area. You may have a more increased blood sugar levels and a higher blood pressure. You are still prone to urinary tract infections as well as yeast infections.
What to Expect
You can expect to have at least 3 or 4 more weeks of pregnancy left. You are going to continue to go to the doctor every week and have the normal and routine check ups. These are necessary to help determine the health of the baby in these last few weeks. If you are feeling anything that you have not felt before, it is always important to make sure that you discuss how you are feeling with the doctor. What you may think is important may be important to the doctor.
Try to get as much rest as you can in these next few weeks. Try to stay close to home and always keep your phone close and your cell phone charged. You may still be having some aches and pains but you can alleviate these aches and pains by doing some light exercises but only if you are up to it.
You should continue with the balanced diet right up until the baby is born. Just because the baby is 3 or 4 weeks away doesn’t mean that you should stop eating properly. You should have a plan for up to the baby’s birth as well as a plan for the homecoming of the baby. You should know if you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Overall, you should be getting plenty of rest and continue to eat healthy.
Tips/Advice
You are down to the final weeks; it is time to prepare a hospital bag. Make sure that everything is in place when the baby comes home. If you are planning a homecoming party for the baby, keep it small. Don’t over do it even though you may feel great. It is still important that you rest.
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