Hello, 36th week of pregnancy! Now only one month remains until the estimated due date. But this time is still quite eventful, and both your body and your baby are preparing for the birth. Read here why your belly drops downward this week and what the first contractions feel like.
How big is your baby in the 36th week of pregnancy?
Your baby is about 31 centimeters long this week and is comparable to a honeydew melon. The crown-heel length is approximately 46 centimeters.
36th week of pregnancy: What's changing for you
You may start to feel your first contractions this week. Don't panic—these are usually Braxton Hicks contractions. Even if they feel uncomfortable, they do not mean that labor has begun; they simply help your baby move into the birth position with its head down and settle deeper into your pelvis. An overview of the different types of contractions and how to recognize when it’s serious can be found in the article “ Types of contractions: What
Contractions Am I Feeling? ".
Your baby's new position can bring you some relief. Your belly "slides" visibly downward, and the pressure on your diaphragm and stomach decreases, making shortness of breath and heartburn less frequent and eating easier. Unfortunately, sitting on a hard surface may now become uncomfortable because your baby's head presses on your pelvic floor. You may also feel its feet in your lungs and ribs when it kicks—and this can sometimes be painful. During the bi-weekly check-ups, your blood pressure is monitored especially carefully, your baby's heartbeat is measured, and its position is checked using a manual examination.
36th week of pregnancy: Your baby's development
Your baby's development is largely complete. Even if a baby born in the 36th week of pregnancy would still be considered a late preterm, it usually would not experience complications now. It weighs approximately 2,700 grams this week and is getting closer to its final birth weight. However, even if your child weighs a bit more or less, this is no reason to worry: Toward the end of pregnancy, babies develop more and more individually, so the weight and size we provide now are only approximate average values.
All of your baby's organs are already functional this week, as are its brain, breathing, immune system, and sensory perception. It is also now perceiving the world outside your womb quite intensely. Since there is very little space left for movement, your baby may seem unusually quiet to you. This is completely normal—after all, it is gathering strength for the upcoming birth, just like you.
The birth position of your baby
By the end of this week at the latest, your baby should start to move into the birth position if it hasn't already. This means it turns its head downward and gradually descends into your small pelvis.
Most children are born in the cephalic position, meaning head first. It is ideal for the birth process if your baby is lying with its back toward your left or right side during the first contractions ( anterior occipital position ). This way, it can turn around itself twice during the birth process to adapt to the anatomical conditions of your pelvis and pass through it. If, at the start of labor, the head is facing your abdomen ( posterior occipital position ), this position is less ideal for turning into the pelvis. Since it is more difficult for your baby to pass through the birth canal, such a so-called star-gazer birth often takes longer and puts more strain on the perineal tissue. Nevertheless, a star-gazer baby that looks upward during birth can generally be born naturally.
If your baby has not turned head-down by the time of birth, it is called breech presentation or cephalic presentation—however, this only affects about three to four percent of all children before birth. These babies are usually delivered via cesarean section to avoid birth complications. However, a natural birth is not ruled out in every case of breech presentation. In this, LILLYDOO dad Gerald shares his experience of his daughter's breech birth. Alternatively, your gynecologist can attempt an external version between the 36th and 38th week of pregnancy to change your baby's position from the outside. However, this only works in about half of all cases, and for pregnant women expecting twins or who have previously had a cesarean section, the procedure is not an option. Even if your baby is in transverse, footling, or kneeling position, a cesarean section will be performed in any case.
This is now important
Now it's time for you to gather your strength once again before the birth and to stay calm despite all the excitement. If you find it difficult to switch off, guided breathing exercises or meditation can be a good option.
Pressure in the pelvis can be relieved through movement. Occasionally make circles with your hips to relax the pelvic floor and prevent tension.
Has your baby not yet turned into the birth position in the 36th week of pregnancy? You can also try to help at home: Lie flat on your back, bend your knees, and lift your hips. While it's not guaranteed that this will actually encourage your baby to turn, the attempt won't hurt. Your midwife probably has a few more tricks up her sleeve as well.
Tip from LILLYDOO Midwife Sissi
Starting this week, you can begin preparing your body for childbirth with perineal massage. This involves stretching the perineal tissue between the vulva and anus about three to four times a week for five to ten minutes, preparing it for the unfamiliar strain during labor. It is best to use a gentle oil such as our . Regular perineal massage helps make the tissue softer, more elastic, and better supplied with blood, reducing the likelihood of injuries during childbirth and pain afterward. You can find more information about the benefits in the article “ “ or have the technique demonstrated to you directly in the video.
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