You are 36 weeks pregnant.

1-3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
40 41 42
Born & Birth stories

By this week of pregnancy your baby's crown-to-rump length reaches about 13.5 inches and the total length is approximately 20.7 inches. Your baby weighs about 6 pounds now. The top of your uterus has moved further up under your ribs and is about 5.5 inches above your bellybutton. Your uterus has grown a lot in the past few weeks as your baby has gained weight. You may have gained about 30 pounds by now and it is common for your weight to stay about the same from this point onwards.

Almost full-grown baby at about 36 weeks pregnancy

Almost full-grown baby at about 36 weeks pregnancy

Because the top of the uterus is high as it will be, breathing may be getting very uncomfortable at times. You might notice jabbing pains from your baby's kicks. However, within the next few weeks, your baby will drop into the birth canal and this will make breathing easier again. Most doctors like to see their patients weekly from now on to check for labor progression. Your prenatal classes are probably coming to an end and you should have already made a birth plan and discussed available options for pain control during pregnancy.

Your baby's face has filled out significantly and looks smooth and plump. Because your baby has powerful sucking muscles and has had layers of fat forming for quite some time now, the cheeks have filled out like a newborn's. Your baby's skull is firm, but not hard. Every baby's head has the ability to give slightly so that there is room for her to fit down the birth canal during delivery. Some babies are born with cone shaped heads from the pressure of delivery, but this will go away after delivery. The amount of amniotic fluid is at its maximum amount now and your baby may not be moving as much as she had been. As long as you still feel her movements every day, there should be no cause for concern.

The placenta is now one-sixth of the fetal weight.

Comments on week 36

Comments 151-199 of about 203 from week 36
2 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
Previous 1 2 3 4 Next
Show latest comments from all weeks

lizzy831 - 24 days ago
thanks for the responses. dr said nothing has changed. despite all the stress and no house yet i am starting to get a bit excited. i cant do anything about the living situation we are in and this semester is almost over. time to be happy and enjoy these last few weeks.

tiff93 - 25 days ago
Welcome troyezrasmommy :)

Pocahontas - 25 days ago
tiff - I am between nervous and excited all the time. Excitement does take over most of the time though :)

troyezrasmommy - 25 days ago
Hi i am new how is everyones pregnancy going?

troyezrasmommy - 25 days ago
Hi i am new how is everyones pregnancy going?

Lyndsaylou - 26 days ago
lizzie i get that a lot, the reason you don't get a straight answer is because they're not actually sure what causes it, though one midwife said she personally thinks it's the head moving and pressing on a nerve - i hate it, it feels like scratching lol!

tiff93 - 26 days ago
Thanks Arabianmom! Dr went great! At 36+4 she is weighing in at 6lbs 3oz, they couldn't get a good length measurement but said she is very long by looking at her spine. I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. Dr said she believes she'll be here by Mother's Day(May 12th) even though I'm not due until the 17th. I didn't get any good pictures because of her position, she had both her arms over her head covering her face! It was so frustrating! I was also glad that she was still a she. LOL I hear mistakes aren't as rare as I'd like, so it definitely crossed my mind a time or two. Anyway, I've been cramping since she checked my cervix, had a little blood after wiping for a few hours. She said she will check me every week now. Is anyone else starting to get really nervous as time is flying and babies will be here in just a few weeks?!

Pocahontas - 26 days ago
lizzy - think it is baby pushing onto all the ligaments that makes them stretch. I have them too and it is definitely when she is lying in a certain position and flexing legs and arms and pushing into my pubic bone.

Arabianmom - 27 days ago
lizzy, yes! Last week my OB said that my DS was head down and I had the same pain you are describing! Yesterday my OB told me that my was breach and I haven't felt the pain, so your LO might be head down and ready to go :)

Arabianmom - 27 days ago
Tiff, good luck :) I hope you get some good news!!!

lizzy831 - 27 days ago
go to the dr tomorrow. cant decide if i want to be checked or not. i was already at 2cm 3 weeks ago. . . anyone having the sharp needle stabbing pains when walking in your girl parts? its really uncomfortable and hurts. i have been told several things of what it could be but never have gotten a straight 100% answer.

tiff93 - 27 days ago
Arabianmom-I am going to my 36 week checkup in a few hours, my dr said she will be doing a cervical exam to see if I've dilated or effaced at all. Also will have the swab for GBS and growth scan. Glad it went well for you!

Arabianmom - 27 days ago
Hello 36ers :)) 28 days to go for me!!! I went to my 36 weeks checkup yesterday and my OB did a pelvic exam. He said everything is closed and tight. He told me that he won't do a pelvic exam next week unless I want him to! Did any of you have that?

Pocahontas - 27 days ago
And so it begins. Exciting to see that babies are starting to arrive and just sending all the mommas lots of good luck and hugs if it is due to complications. Enjoy your precious arrivals and may they be in good health to go home with you.

mgoodly - 27 days ago
36 weeks.. Wwwwwhhhhoooo.. I'm trying to calm myself down so I don't get to excited and want the baby to come today..lol. We are so close to the finish line.. Be blessed ladies n babies..

Dragonsoccermom*teamBLUE* - 28 days ago
Blueheaven- congrats!

tiff93 - 28 days ago
Wow blueheaven! Can't wait for details! I was just about to ask 'who do you think will go first?'

Lyndsaylou - 29 days ago
blueheaven, oh my gosh that's so exciting! you'll be the first one of us to pop! hope it all goes well, and that the hypertension is nothing to worry about! keep us posted for sure!

mysurprise - 29 days ago
blueheaven~~~How exciting!!! Good luck with everything...do you have pre-eclampsia or just hypertension?

mysurprise - 29 days ago
Been getting BH Contractions Allllllll day! So uncomfortable sleeping and getting comfy b/c I have so much back pain (Muscle pain, not contractions). I called the on call doc but it's not my doc so I'm not bothering unless the contractions start hurting real bad or my water breaks. ::sigh:: :)

irishgirl44 - 30 days ago
blue heaven wow thats great he will be here soon. why are they inducing him? hope everything goes well for you keep us posted.

blueheaven2011 - 30 days ago
I will be induced on Monday April 22nd at 7:45am due to hypertension unless things get worse over the weekend, then it will be sooner. I can't believe I will be holding my son in the next few days!!! So excited yet nervous! I hope everyone is doing well!!

tiff93 - 32 days ago
I will be joining 36 weeks tomorrow, I also have my baby shower this Saturday! Exciting weekend for us! Hope everyone is doing well and babies are kicking strong!

irishgirl44 - 32 days ago
they think he is about 6lbs this one is smaller. my chunky monkey who is 3 now was always measuring one week ahead even tho he was 10 days over due so I wasnt surprised he was 9lb 2. this little ninja is one week behind and more active.. probably because he has more room. my sciatica is still bad this time around as well which is frustrating cause i cant do anything with my son.. iam so ready for this baby now..

joelyne - 32 days ago
Baby belly pics are up in my photos. Irishgirl44: i hope you have a great time celebrating! 9 lbs. wow! Have you asked for estimated weight yet? I'm feeling really low and heavy. My dr mentioned that the baby was too heavy for me he's making my joints weak. It's scary I really want him out. mysurprise: I can't believe you'll be having your little one soon, if I were you I'd do lots of walking to speed things up lol! With all the pain I've been feeling I'm surprised my not dilated.

irishgirl44 - 32 days ago
i have my baby shower this saturday too which is exciting. I am hoping the sweep works for me at 38 weeks.. my first baby was 9lbs 2 thanks goodness i had the epidural this one seems smaller than his brother anyway

Pocahontas - 32 days ago
Starting to get excited about all the babies that will be here soon :)

mysurprise - 32 days ago
I had my weekly apt today. He felt my baby's head, and I'm 2cm dilated and 70% effaced! YAY! Last week I was a big fat zero lol he's giving me til next week, and into the weekend, he said not too much longer!!!! :oP

Gift-from-God - 33 days ago
joelyne-Wouldn't worry.You already went from a 5 lb 11 oz baby to over 7 lbs. 8 lbs is less of a jump. My first was 6 lbs 11 oz and I was pushing for 34 minutes. My second was 8 lbs and I was only pushing for 15 minutes. You're an old pro! You'll do fine! :)

joelyne - 33 days ago
I had a sweep done with my 2nd pregnancy around 38 weeks had my son a week later. I had an appt yesterday because of all the pain I was having. Good news is he's still high and cervix is closed, I measured at 37 weeks. His heart rate was 140 bpm, He's head down and is estimating 8 lbs when he comes out. Yup he's definitely my biggest baby. My first born was 5 lbs 11oz. My youngest was 7 lbs 7 oz. both delivered natural without pain meds. It's a scary thought that he might be harder to push out. Anyways I'm all ready for my baby shower this weekend I'm so excited!

irishgirl44 - 33 days ago
candid that would be so funny wouldn't it. my 30th birthday is may1st so i could be delivering on my birthday as well lol happy birthday to me aragh!! kristin a sweep from what i know is when the midwife uses her finger to slightly stretch your cervix. its not very common with first babies apparently as if your not ready to go you wont go but in 2nd pregnancies its more successful as your cervix is already a little open and stretched from previous pregnancy.

CandidaAndPaul - 33 days ago
meant my next appointment after this next one next mondya. @ Irish- I will have my sweep done the same day and we are due the same day....maybe we will deliver on the same day, APRIL 30 if the sweep works :)

CandidaAndPaul - 33 days ago
Irishgirl- I had sweeps done with my last 2 and with both of them I was in labor the next day. Never had them done with my first 2. My OB does them first at 38 weeks so I will get one at my next appointment, cant wait :) Hope yours goes well and sends you into labor!!!!!

Kristynj - 33 days ago
Irishgirl-what exactly is a sweep? I've seen people write about getting them but dont quite know exactly what it is or how it will help?!

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 34 days ago
I've never had a sweep but I would love to have this baby at 38 weeks. Here's to Wishing.

irishgirl44 - 34 days ago
iam in so much pain so much so my midwife has said she would do a sweep on the 29th april for me so ill be 38 weeks then.. how many of you had sweeps and they worked?

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 34 days ago
I can't stop eating today I'm always hungry. What the heck. I think the 39 lbs I've gained is quite enough thank you very much. :)

vennessa4 - 34 days ago
Tomorrow I'll be 37 weeks! I'm so excited and ready to have this baby girl!

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 35 days ago
I kind of wish my pregnancy wouldbe finished now and the baby would come out but I know 36 weeks is too early. I just can't stand the pain in my pelvis anymore.

joelyne - 35 days ago
Good Morning 36 weeks! I've had the worst start with this week lastnight around 12:00 am or should I say morning... A sharp stabbing/ tightness rolled up on the lower right side of my back it lasted about 2 minutes it was so painful It shocked me,Before that I noticed that my back has been killing me, it's been achy. It doesn't matter which position I sleep in the pain just won't go away. along with that, I've been having contractions every 6-12 minutes and I've been peeing like crazy, Every time I pee, I have to go again I soon as I'm done UGH! I have an appt on Thursday. I hope this baby comes out. I had enough! I hope all is well with you all.

courtneyandrex - 37 days ago
Thank you ladies ;) to be honest I feel like time hasfflown and now I do not have much time to get anything done. I still need to pack a bag aswell...also I still need to buy the carseat..we've procrastinated because we thought my husbands mom was throwing us a baby shower..but due to my husbands oldest sister tying the knot last Saturday we don't think she may be able to afford another big event...my friend from California who is a military wife decided she wanted to throw a virtual baby shower over Facebook I've never heard of it before...apparently military wives get together after viewing your registry buy the gifts and have you pick them up at the store location...its a very sweet idea...I miss being a marine wife because everyone feels like family...even though she's miles away she's still trying to be a huge part of the birth and pregnancy...I miss her tons..

Lou-Li-Ro - 38 days ago
irishgirl I know how you feel, time is going so fast and I am not moving fast enough at all!! Feeling huge, uncomfortable, and cumbersome now. Not able to do a lot. Would you believe I still haven't got my bag packed?! Oh but I've made a list of stuff I need to put in to it.. does that count?! PS Courtneyandrex glad to hear all is ok!!!

irishgirl44 - 38 days ago
courtney thats great that everything is ok.. iam not ready for this little man at all , even though i would love for him to arrive 38 weeks .. that would be ideal as we move house in a month and id rather be able to do things rather than be plagued with dodgy hips and my pelvis out of place

courtneyandrex - 38 days ago
@@Irish apparently while still in the womb meconium is icky but not frowned upon they just want me to follow their directions with the best of my ability when labor starts..@@.Mommy thank you ;) I went back to the doc at 4 in the morning yesterday..I wiped and had a little bit of meconium discharge...they said everything is ok I'm probably just losing a little bit of my mucus plug...they checked me and I'm at 2.5 centimeters...it seems like these irregular contractions are definitely helping the labor process...I've walked quite a bit too..I purposely park far away from the entrance ofthe grocery store..and even if iI don't need to walk down every aisle I still do it...I'm so ready to meet my little girl ;)

mommys2miracles - 39 days ago
Ended up going to the hospital last night..my contractions were frequent and lasted for hours...but didn't make any change in my cervix so I was sent back home..it was so frustrating...but truthfully I don't want to have my baby before 38weeks

brookeecookee - 39 days ago
Internals in the US are up to the dr. My dr won't even take a peek until week 40. And I actually love that! They said if I havent had a baby by then, they'll look. And he won't induce until week 42. Of course, that's for non-high risk, obviously.

irishgirl44 - 39 days ago
we dont have internals here in the uk unless its an emergency and we are having contractions. id love to know if i am effaced or dilated though ;-)

mommys2miracles - 40 days ago
I had my doc appointment today. She checked me..I am 2-3cm dialated and 40% effaced. That makes me smile :) I didn't start dialating at all until I was 39 weeks with my son...and was only 1cm dialated when I was admitted for high bp. I guess im in a waiting game now.

More weeks:
1-3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
40 41 42
Born & Birth stories

More comments:
Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

Recent comments:
Recent comments from all weeks

Leave a comment

Abbreviations used

Only members cam leave comments.
Sign up free

In which week/month am I?
Calculate your due date, how many weeks you are along and see how big your baby has grown!

Members in week 36:

Andy20 - 11 Jun 2013
Crooney - 11 Jun 2013
Marshmallowflower - 11 Jun 2013
Missbollinger - 11 Jun 2013
ichinisan - 12 Jun 2013
4ttc5th - 13 Jun 2013
Cynthia Oc - 13 Jun 2013
anxiousmothertobe - 14 Jun 2013
BabyGirl13 - 14 Jun 2013
Veganmama - 14 Jun 2013
Ducky27 - 16 Jun 2013
ilovelevi - 16 Jun 2013
Hali4Mozi - 17 Jun 2013
Ilovechaitea - 17 Jun 2013
schmittsfirst - 17 Jun 2013

The due date from members in week 36 is from Tuesday 11 June 2013 up to & including Monday 17 June 2013. See the full timeline here

Not on the list?
This list is updated twice a day. The list shows members who were online within the last 14 days at the time it was generated. It may take up to 12 hours before you see your name after you've made changes to your due date or if you haven't been online for 14 days or more.