Your Changing Body36 Week Fetus

  • At 36 weeks you feel "enormous", tired of being pregnant, and just want to see your baby!  You are almost there!
  • The good news:   When your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis (called "lightening") you will have less heartburn and be able to breathe easier! This process often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.)
  • The bad news:  When your baby drops, there is increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which can cause pelvic pain and pressure, walking may be uncomfortable, and you will probably find yourself making many bathroom runs in the middle of the night... (just mother nature preparing you for the sleepless nights to come)! If your baby is very low, you may feel  vaginal pressure and pain as well.  A soak in a warm bath can ease many of these discomforts, as well as using a pregnancy pillow when you are in bed.
    Braxton hicks contractions may be more frequent now, and it may even be hard to determine if you are going into labor, or if your body is just "warming up". 
  • It is a good time to review the signs and symptoms of labor.  You can click on the following link:  Is this True Labor?

When to call the doctor:

  • You notice a decrease in your baby's activity:  "kick counts" should be done every day.  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls. you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.
  • Leaking amniotic fluid:  Some women think that they "wet" their pants, when your bag of waters breaks it can be a sudden "gush", a trickle, or may only be noticed when you cough or stand.  Whenever in doubt, it is always a good idea to call. 
  • Fever
  • Severe or persistent headache
  • Constant abdominal pain
  • Vision changes


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