Pregnancy – Week 36

Welcome to Week 36 of the Mums and Bubs Pregnancy Newsletter. By now you will be able to feel the top of your uterus just below your breastbone making breathing uncomfortable and you might suffer from pain in your ribcage.
Your ante natal checks will be weekly from now on.

Mum

It’s now time to see your health care professional every week until you deliver your baby with final blood tests being conducted around this stage. You may also have an ultrasound to check the position of your placenta, especially if a previous one indicated a low-lying placenta.

Have your bags packed and ready for the labour ward this week.

You could be experiencing increased heaviness, constipation, heartburn, backache and discomfort in your buttocks and pelvis. You may also be alternating between fatigue and extra bursts of energy.

Bub

Baby now weighs around 2.7kg (6 pounds) and is approximately 48cm long (19 inches) and as fat deposits, creases are forming in his neck and wrists.

Bub may move down into your pelvis about now in the “engaged” position and this might give you a feeling of “lightening” as your uterus drops away from your internal organs that were pushed upwards as your baby grew. This will make breathing and eating easier but walking may become even more uncomfortable. So whether head down (vertex) or butt down (breech), most babies are now in the birth position and will remain this way until birth.

At the end of this week your pregnancy is considered full term and you could give birth any day now.

Your doctor may check to see if you’ve started to dilate (the cervix opening) and effacing (the cervix thinning). Baby’s position will also be checked to estimate how far he has dropped into the pelvis.

Tips

Read about your pain relief options even if you have planned a drug free birth in case you change your mind during labour.
Place a plastic sheet or some towels under your bed linen to prevent your mattress being soaked if your membranes (waters) rupture. This can occur as a slow trickle or happen in a gush. It might be handy to keep a few towels in the car for your trip to the hospital as well.
Stock up your freezer with foods that can be easily put in the oven or microwave after you bring bub home.