About You

Week 36 is the tenth week of the 3rd trimester and at the end of this week you are considered full-term, which means your baby can be born anytime. So this is a good week to pack your bag for the hospital ( see Preparing for The Big D Day – Hospital Checklist ), and leave it by the front door so you can grab it at a moment’s notice. Also, do not forget to pack your maternity notes file. You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower abdomen and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little, so breathing and eating should become easier. At your weekly visit, your doctor or midwife may check to see if you've started dilating (when the cervix opens) and effacing (when the cervix thins). The midwife will also check what position the baby is in, in order to estimate how far the baby has dropped into the pelvis. This information will be entered into your maternity notes so that your midwife in will know the position of the baby when you go into labour.

You may find walking becoming increasingly uncomfortable, with some women saying it feels as if the baby is going to fall out. Also, you may still feel as if you need to go to the toilet all the time .

About Baby

Your baby now weighs more than 2.62 kilograms, and is over 47.4 centimetres from top to toe. Your baby is still gaining weight at the end of this week would no longer be considered a premature baby if born.

This week’s activities for the pregnancy to-do list

✔Pack you hospital bag – remember your checklist from Preparing for the Big D Day – Hospital Checklist .

✔Schedule a non-stress test if it's recommended

✔Review your birth plan with your doctor, midwife, doula, or any others involved

✔Sleep in, take naps and get as many extra Z's as you can.

✔Send thank-you notes for your shower gifts, if not already done

✔Create a grapevine. Make a list of all the people you want to hear about your baby's birth with their phone numbers or e-mail addresses. That way, when you have given birth you have a list ready to sms the good news with a picture of you and your new bundle of joy. Include at least one person from work on the list, so they can spread the word there.

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.

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