Week 36: Only a Few Weeks Left!

You're now in week 36, and your baby is almost fully developed and ready for life outside the womb! This is an important milestone — from now on, a baby born is considered "late preterm."

Baby's Development

Size and Growth

• Length: About 47 cm (crown to heel)
• Weight: About 2600–2700 grams (nearly 3 kg!)
• Comparison: The size of a large head of romaine lettuce
• Growth rate: From now on it's mainly weight gain, not length growth

Impressive Maturity

Lungs Are Nearly Ready

• Lung maturation almost complete
• Surfactant production at its peak
• Babies born in week 36 generally manage without respiratory support
• Practicing breathing (drawing amniotic fluid in and out)

Brain

• Largely fully developed
• Neurons getting their protective myelin sheath
• More efficient communication between brain cells
• Clear sleep-wake cycles
• Baby is dreaming!

Other Key Milestones

• Face: Fully developed, smooth skin
• Nails: Grown to the tips of fingers and toes
• Skin: Losing its wrinkled appearance
• Digestion: Ready to digest breast milk
• Immune system: Receiving antibodies from you via the placenta

Position

• The vast majority of babies (95%+) are now head-down
• Head is engaged in the pelvis
• Less space to move
• If baby is still not head-down, discuss with your midwife

Your Body

Baby Dropping ("Lightening")

For first-time parents: This often happens in week 36–37 (2–4 weeks before birth)

For those who have given birth before: This often doesn't happen until days before birth, or during labor itself

What you'll notice:

• Better: Easier to breathe, less heartburn
• Worse: More pressure in the pelvis, more frequent urination
• A feeling of "carrying a bowling ball between your legs"
• Harder to walk, especially stairs

The Uterus

• Has reached maximum size
• Fundus (top) is now at its highest (about 36 cm)
• Can actually drop a little when baby descends
• Amniotic fluid starts to reduce (from 800 ml to 600–700 ml)

Breasts

• Continue to grow and prepare for breastfeeding
• Colostrum (first milk) may be leaking
• You can begin collecting colostrum if you wish

Common Symptoms in Week 36

Increased Physical Discomfort

• Back pain: 2 in 3 pregnant people experience this
• Pelvic pain: Relaxin makes joints looser
• Leg pain: Cramps, especially at night
• Swelling: Feet, ankles, hands
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): Affects about 1 in 3 pregnant people

Worsening Sleep Problems

Why:

• Difficult to find a comfortable position
• Frequent urination (every 20–30 minutes!)
• Heartburn
• Cramps
• Anxiety about birth
• Restless legs

Help:

• Sleep on your left side (best for baby)
• Pregnancy pillow between knees, behind back, under belly
• Elevate upper body (against heartburn)
• Limit fluids 2–3 hours before bed
• Establish a calming bedtime routine

Braxton Hicks Contractions Increase

• Become more frequent and intense
• Can be uncomfortable (but not painful)
• Irregular and vary in strength
• Disappear with a change in activity

Difference from real contractions:

Prenatal Appointment in Week 36

What Gets Checked

• Blood pressure: Screening for preeclampsia
• Weight: Monitoring weight gain
• Urine: Protein (preeclampsia) and glucose
• Fundal height: Can actually drop a little when baby descends (normal!)
• Baby's heartbeat: With Doppler
• Baby's position: Palpation (feeling through the abdomen)

Discussion About Birth

• Birth planning
• Pain relief (natural methods, gas and air, epidural)
• When to go to the hospital
• What happens during labor
• Breastfeeding right after birth
• Follow-up after coming home

If Baby Is in Breech Position

• Referral to obstetric team
• Assessment for external cephalic version (week 36–37)
• Discussion about birth method (vaginal vs. cesarean)

More Frequent Appointments Going Forward

• Week 38
• Week 40
• Week 41 (if baby hasn't arrived)
• At week 41+: Wellbeing check at hospital

Hospital Bag — Is It Ready?

Your hospital bag should now be packed and standing by the door! If you haven't packed yet, it's high time. Make sure everything is in place — for you and for baby.

For You

• ID and health/insurance documents
• Comfortable nightgown or pajamas and a robe
• Slippers and socks
• Nursing bra and nursing pads
• Postpartum pads (large, soft)
• Toiletries, lip balm, and hair ties
• Phone charger
• Snacks and drinks
• Your birth plan

For Baby

• Onesies and sleepsuits in newborn and 0–3 month sizes
• Hat and socks
• Newborn diapers/nappies
• Soft muslin or blanket
• Car seat for the ride home (must be in the car)

Signs That Labor Is Approaching

Normal Signs (Can Happen Days to Weeks Before)

Mucus Plug (Show):

• Thick mucus that comes away
• Can be clear, yellow, pink, or bloody
• Means the cervix is beginning to ripen
• Labor may come in hours, days, or weeks

Bloody Show:

• Mucus mixed with a little blood
• Pink, brown, or red
• Small amounts (a few teaspoons)
• Means the cervix is opening

Change in Discharge:

• More discharge
• More bloody/mucus-y

Diarrhea:

• Body is clearing out
• Prostaglandins (which start contractions) also affect the bowel

Extreme Tiredness:

• Body is conserving energy for labor
• Rest as much as you can!

Nesting Instinct:

• Intense urge to tidy and prepare
• A sudden burst of energy
• Many go into labor soon after!

Irritability and Emotional Changes:

• Oxytocin (contraction hormone) affects mood
• Feeling "on edge"
• Increased sensitivity

Real Contractions — Go to the Hospital!

When to head to the hospital:

• Contractions every 5–6 minutes or more
• Each contraction lasts 60 seconds or longer
• This pattern has been going on for 1 hour

Other reasons to go IMMEDIATELY:

• Waters breaking (amniotic fluid leaking)
• Heavy bleeding (more than a few teaspoons)
• Severe pain that doesn't pass
• Significant reduction in fetal movements
• Severe headache + visual disturbances + swelling (preeclampsia!)
• Chest pain or breathing difficulties
• Dizziness or fainting

When to Go to the Hospital

General Guidelines for First-Time Parents

Stay home as long as possible:

• Most comfortable in familiar surroundings
• Can move freely
• Can eat and drink
• Private and relaxed
• Labor often progresses faster

Go when:

• Contractions every 5–6 min for 1 hour
• Waters break
• Heavy bleeding
• Serious symptoms

Special Considerations

Long distance:

• If over 90 minutes to hospital, go earlier

Those who have given birth before:

• May have faster labor
• Go earlier than the first time

High-risk pregnancy:

• Follow specific instructions from your doctor

Colostrum Collection (Optional)

Some women choose to collect colostrum in the final weeks:

Who may benefit:

• Diabetes or gestational diabetes
• Multiples (twins, triplets)
• Planned cesarean
• Breast problems
• Baby may need extra nutrition

How to:

• Hand express into sterile syringes
• Label with date
• Freeze
• Use if needed after birth

Important:

• Don't do this if you have a risk of preterm labor
• Talk to your midwife first!

Tips for Week 36

1. Go through your birth plan with your partner and midwife
2. Double-check the hospital bag — is everything packed?
3. Install and check the car seat — practice buckling it in!
4. Fill the freezer with meals
5. Wash and prepare baby clothes (newborn and 0–3 month sizes)
6. Set up the nursery — have it ready!
7. Keep the car fueled — always!
8. Chargers everywhere — by the bed, in the car, in the bag
9. Contact list ready: Midwife, hospital, partner, family
10. Rest and relax — you'll need energy soon!

What's Coming in the Next Weeks?

Week 37–40

• Baby is now "full term" — labor can start any time!
• Continued weight gain (about 200–250g per week)
• Continued development of lungs and brain
• More frequent appointments

If You Go Past Your Due Date

• Week 41: Wellbeing check at hospital
  • Ultrasound
  • CTG (fetal heart rate monitoring)
  • Vaginal examination
  • Discussion about induction

For Your Partner

• Make sure the car always has fuel and the car seat is installed
• Go through the plan for the birth day together — who to call, what to bring, what the route to the hospital is
• Familiarize yourself with a contraction timer app so you can help track them
• Be available and keep your phone on — labor can start any time now

Did You Know...?

• From week 36, baby is considered "late preterm" — meaning the vast majority of babies born now can manage without respiratory support. Still, the final weeks are valuable for the brain's and lungs' last maturation
• About 95% of all babies are in a head-down position by week 36. If yours is still in breech, your midwife may assess for external cephalic version — a procedure where baby is gently turned by pressing on the abdomen
• Amniotic fluid begins to decrease from around week 36, from about 800 ml to 600–700 ml. This is completely normal and brings baby into even closer contact with the uterine wall
• Your baby is already dreaming! Researchers have detected clear REM sleep in fetuses at this age, suggesting the little one is processing sensory impressions through dreams

Common Questions About Week 36

What does it mean that baby "drops"?

When baby drops (also called "lightening"), it means the head moves deeper down into your pelvis. You'll likely notice it's easier to breathe, but that you need to urinate even more often. In first-time parents, this often happens in week 36–37, while in those who've given birth before it may not happen until just before or during labor.

How do I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?

Braxton Hicks are irregular, vary in strength, and tend to go away if you change position or rest. Real contractions come at regular intervals, get stronger and more frequent over time, and don't stop regardless of what you do. Call the hospital if contractions come every 5–6 minutes and last about 60 seconds for about an hour.

Is it normal to lose the mucus plug now?

Yes, some people lose the mucus plug as early as week 36. It's a gel-like plug that has sealed the cervix throughout pregnancy. Losing it means the cervix is beginning to ripen, but it doesn't necessarily mean labor is imminent — it can take hours, days, or even weeks.

Should I start collecting colostrum?

Colostrum collection may be appropriate for some — particularly with gestational diabetes, planned cesarean, or multiples. Talk to your midwife before starting, as stimulating the breasts can trigger contractions. Don't do it if there is a risk of preterm labor.

You're almost there! Baby is nearly ready, and you'll soon be meeting your little one. Rest, prepare mentally, and watch for the signs. Good luck!