In the last month of pregnancy, the symptoms you are facing may get you down. You may have to rush to the restroom very often or feel exhausted all the time. However, being 36 weeks pregnant, you should try to enjoy these last months of pregnancy.

Keep in mind that no matter how many times you have been pregnant before, pregnancy is unique every single time. If you want to know what to expect in the last week, then keep reading the following great article crafted by A Date With Baby – 3D Ultrasound team.

From time to time you may feel tired, and exhausted from the pregnancy. However, remember that every second spent in your womb is actually very important for your baby. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that your baby is considered early term in the 37th week of pregnancy.

36 weeks pregnant is how many months?

At 36 weeks pregnant, you are approximately in your ninth month of pregnancy. Pregnancy is typically calculated in months of four weeks each, so 36 weeks divided by 4 weeks per month equals 9 months. It’s important to note that pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last menstrual period, which might cause slight variations in the exact number of weeks in each month. However, the general consensus is that 36 weeks corresponds to the ninth month of pregnancy.

How many months is 36 weeks?

At 36 weeks, you are approximately 8 months and 1 week pregnant. Pregnancy is typically considered to last around 40 weeks, with each month containing about 4.3 weeks on average. Therefore, dividing 36 weeks by 4.3 weeks per month gives us approximately 8 months and 1 week. Keep in mind that this is an estimate, and the exact number of days in each month can vary slightly.

Constant periods like cramping (mild) 

When you are at your 36 weeks of pregnancy, you may have period-like cramps all day, lower backache, and lower abdominal pains (or cramps) on and off, in other words, it might feel as if you are having your period (which you are not, really).

Nevertheless, please remember that cramping at 36 weeks, which feels like menstrual-like cramps, and can be painful too, are not related to Braxton Hicks. It is wise to be on the lookout for contractions since in some cases babies can come earlier than the expected time.

Like menstrual cramps or period pains you had before, you can also feel a tightening in your uterus. For some expectant mothers, this feeling occurs in their back. In addition, when contraction happens, the stomach feels hard to the touch. Furthermore, note that your baby’s movements are going to change since she gets less room to maneuver. Of course, you will still feel that she’s moving, however, instead of jabbing and kicking, you will feel more squirming.

Is cramping normal at 36 weeks pregnant?

Cramping in early to mid-pregnancy can occur when the uterus is contracting. It’s thought that the uterus is adjusting its size before labor, so it may stop growing or even shrink a bit at 38 weeks after your last period. Many women have some uterine cramping every now and then during this time of their pregnancies, but cramping that’s severe or accompanied by spotting, dampness in your underwear or fluid leaking from the vagina may be a sign of early labor.

Cramps at night

Experiencing cramps at night during the 36th week of pregnancy can be a normal part of the body’s preparation for labor. These cramps might be Braxton Hicks contractions, often described as “practice contractions” that help the uterus get ready for childbirth. They are usually irregular and not as intense as true labor contractions. However, it’s essential to pay attention to the frequency, intensity, and duration of the cramps.

If they become regular, increase in intensity, or are accompanied by other symptoms like vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage, it could be a sign of preterm labor. In such cases, it’s crucial to contact a healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and guidance. Otherwise, staying hydrated, changing positions, and practicing relaxation techniques can help alleviate discomfort and promote better sleep during this stage of pregnancy.

Leg cramps

Leg cramps during the 36th week of pregnancy is a common occurrence and can be attributed to various factors. As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus can put pressure on blood vessels, affecting blood circulation and leading to leg cramps.

Hormonal changes can cause muscles to become more sensitive, making them prone to cramping. To alleviate leg cramps, maintaining proper hydration, gentle stretching exercises, and regular physical activity can be helpful. Avoiding prolonged standing or sitting in the same position can also reduce the likelihood of cramps

36 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore:

• Heartburn
• Leaky breasts
• Insomnia
• Gas and bloating
• Frequent urination
• Conspitation
• Discharge

There are a number of symptoms that occur for some women between the thirty-sixth and forty-second weeks of pregnancy. These symptoms do not necessarily have an adverse effect on the baby. However, they may be upsetting to some women and they may lead to stress as the pregnancy progresses. This is often more noticeable as the woman nears her more advanced stage of pregnancy.

Some mothers also report mood swings, lower back pain, or feeling generally unwell during their third trimester. It is more common for women with a first baby to experience these symptoms, but there is no guarantee for any woman who becomes pregnant first time around.

Hypermagnesemia or elevated blood magnesium, is an uncommon condition which causes mild symptoms such as excessive drowsiness, muscle weakness and tingling sensations. It can be life-threatening to both mother and child if left untreated, but fortunately it is usually readily controlled through the administration of intravenous fluids.

Pregnancy leads to significantly elevated blood levels of magnesium, due to the continued secretion of the hormone PTHrP (parathyroid hormone-related peptide) throughout pregnancy – this tends to result in an even higher level of magnesium. The extra demands on the mother’s kidneys are normally too small to cause significant damage during pregnancy, but when coupled with dehydration or pre-eclampsia (a disorder of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and kidney impairment), this can cause problems.

The symptoms experienced by the mother are mild and typically include:

Excessive drowsiness or lethargy Muscle weakness Tingling sensations in legs, arms or fingers Loss of appetite Nausea Abdominal discomfort

These symptoms are due to the increased blood magnesium levels affecting the mother. Severe cases of this condition can lead to loss of consciousness and even death if not treatable. Pregnant women who do not want to take intravenous fluids should speak with their doctor or midwife. They may be able to prescribe an alternative treatment or medication which has the same effect on magnesium levels, but does not require intravenous administration.

It is important to note that magnesium plays a crucial role in the development of the baby during pregnancy and so all women should avoid taking supplements which have high quantities of magnesium in them during this time. An intake of 250mg or less per day is considered safe to take during pregnancy.

If you have any concerns or are concerned about your health, speak with your doctor or midwife straight away. If you are concerned that you may have hypermagnesemia, the best thing to do is get tested by a medical professional.

Stomach Discomfort

In the last weeks of pregnancy, your uterus squeezes and pushes up your stomach which, in turn, results in eating less food during your meals. In fact, this is actually good news, since eating less is better for your digestive system, which helps you control heartburn.

In addition, you may also be passing gas and burping. Therefore, keep in mind that eating slowly will help to avoid swallowing more air, and going for smaller meals will control the heartburn you may be feeling after the food. Eating less food will also help you to deal with constipation too. Smaller portions of food will not load your digestive tract as much.

Since you are in the 36th week of pregnancy, your baby might have dropped into your pelvis. Therefore, frequently visiting the bathroom, compared to your first 3 months of pregnancy, is quite normal. However, do not forget to keep yourself hydrated. Because you now need more fluid in your body more than ever. 

As the body prepares itself for the delivery, you can experience an increased discharge at 36 weeks of pregnancy. You should be looking out for watery discharge, blood, or mucus-like discharge. Remember, if you lose the mucus plug, it means that the labor is very close. However, we can’t say how near it is!

During the last month of pregnancy, you may feel that your belly is stretched as if it is going to break. You can get relief by applying certain creams available, containing cocoa butter or vitamin e. These components will help you soothe the itchy abdomen. 

When the body starts to keep more fluid than before, you may be noticing more evident edema or pregnancy swelling. In fact, you will notice that besides your ankles and feet, your face, hands, and even fingers can get swollen. However, you should still have sufficient amounts of water and other liquids to keep yourself hydrated all the time. Additionally, these fluids will help your system to remove waste products and excess sodium.

In the last couple of weeks, you will probably have a hard time sleeping, as you try to look for the perfect position to sleep in. Additionally, see that your room is less stuffy and the temperature is not set at high since you will start feeling overheated as the night rolls on. 

Baby Movements At 36 Weeks

Your baby does not have enough room to move as he now has less room for movement. However, although you’ll experience less movement at this stage, you should still feel some.

On the other hand, should you feel no movement at all or even if you are concerned about the situation, then please call your doctor? In general, a decrease in the movement poses to risk or danger, however, it can also signify that your unborn baby is in distress. In both cases, it’s always better to let your healthcare provider informed about the condition.

Contractions At 36 Weeks

Contractions are one of the symptoms that you will frequently experience at 36 weeks. Generally, this could mean two things: either Braxton contractions or your baby wants to come earlier than planned.

Still, as a pregnant mother, you will experience all these similar symptoms throughout the last semester of pregnancy.

In some cases, babies may want to come earlier, which may feel like cramping or a tightening in the uterus. For some women, it’s like back pain. When contraction happens, your stomach will feel hard to the touch.

Peak and intensity will gradually increase with each contraction, and then slowly subside. You will feel longer and frequent contractions as they get closer together.

Nausea 36th Week Pregnancy

Many women think that having nausea is only the symptom of the first trimester, which is not actually true. In fact, certain women experience nausea as labor nears. On the other hand, some women may also experience diarrhea, since all muscles in the body start to loosen as delivery approaches. 

Headache

Should you experience a headache when you are 36 weeks pregnant, you need to identify how serious the condition is. If you feel that the pain is sharp and comes on suddenly, then you should consult your doctors just to stay safe.

In fact, all pregnant women experiencing severe headaches must seek advice from their doctors to know the cause of symptoms, and if there is a need for any treatment.

How can you prevent headaches during pregnancy?

You may want to follow the tips listed below in order to stay away from any headache:

• Try to spot the triggers that might be causing you the headache in the first place. List down your frequent meals and activities, just to know which habits might be causing you the problem.
• Stay active and take a daily walk, if you are allowed by your physician, of course.
• Try to eat small portions and frequently throughout the day, which helps you to keep the blood sugar on the level.
• It is important for pregnant women to keep themselves hydrated. So, don’t forget to drink a lot of fluid.
• Maintain your regular sleep schedule. This means that you should go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
• In addition, you can also prevent muscle tension, which can cause headaches, by simply keeping a good posture.

Lower Back Pain and Stomach Tightening at 36 Weeks of Pregnancy

At 36 weeks of pregnancy, experiencing lower back pain and stomach tightening is a common occurrence that many expectant mothers may encounter. As the body prepares for childbirth, the ligaments and muscles supporting the uterus stretch and become more flexible, resulting in sensations of tightness in the stomach area. These contractions, known as Braxton Hicks contractions, are usually mild and irregular, often described as “practice contractions” that help the body get ready for labor. 

Pelvic Pressure During Pregnancy

Pregnant women may start feeling more pressure in their lower belly and realize that the baby is slowly moving down into the pelvic area. This movement is called lightening or engagement. 

This is actually good because you will feel that breathing and eating become easier as your lungs and tummy get finally stretched.

The downside is that some women may find that walking gets more uncomfortable. However, still there is nothing to worry about since this is a common sensation and part of the ride.

Diarrhea and cramping

Diarrhea may not be as rare when you are in the third trimester and is most likely to occur when you reach your due date. It may be an indication that labor gets closer, and it can happen just before childbirth or a few weeks before labor. When it’s a few weeks before your due date, you shouldn’t plan to have a premature delivery.

Signs of Labor At 36 Weeks

If you are at 36 weeks pregnant, here are some signs of labor to watch for:

• Braxton hicks contractions (these are the little tightness in your abdomen) start to feel more like real labour pains.
• You might notice your cervix starts to thin out or dialate. It’ll be longer and wider than before.
• The mucus plug that plugs up your cervix will have broken or come out. That’s a sign that you’re ready for birth.
• In case your water breaks, you might want to keep a pad and a pen by the side of your bed. When you feel any fluid seeping out, write down the time on the pad. So that way you know how much leakage is going on every hour.
• You should also start counting how many times you wake up at night to use the washroom. More than 4 times is a sign of labor starting up.
• When you feel like your baby is pushing down against your pelvic region, it could mean that he’s ready to come out. But for most women, this is too early and they will not yet be in labor at 36 weeks pregnant. Keep watching for other signs of labor before you take this as fact.
• If your baby’s movements become more intense, it could mean that he is preparing for his birth. He knows that soon enough there won’t be room for him to move around much in your uterus.

There are some women who feel an urgent need to use the washroom before labor starts, but this isn’t usually the case.

How big is my baby at 36 weeks?

The length of your baby at 36 weeks is 18.7 inches, and 36 weeks pregnant baby’s weight is about 5.8 pounds.

Ultrasound at 36 weeks of pregnancy

By having a 3D ultrasound appointment with A Date With Baby at 36 weeks, we can define if the babies are in a breech position. This can cause difficulties during labor, according to the study published in PLOS Medicine.

Determining your baby’s breech position will help your provider to have a better idea of how to turn the baby. Following the ultrasound procedure, you will have another fetal non-stress check which is going to define if your baby has a normal heart rate.

What happens at 36 week appointment?

Your doctor will swab your vagina and rectum today in order to determine whether or not you have Group B Streptococcus (GBS). GBS is a bacteria that may be found in or on the bodies of certain individuals. It generally does not make them sick, but if it is passed on to the baby after birth, it may cause severe illness in the baby. Women who test positive for GBS are given IV antibiotics throughout labor and delivery in order to avoid GBS transmission to their unborn children.

During this appointment, your doctor will also do the following procedures:

• Provide you with the necessary papers to preregister at the hospital. As a result, you will not be delayed down when you arrive at the hospital to deliver your baby.
• Explain that you should avoid traveling by aircraft for the rest of your pregnancy if possible.
• Check your weight and blood pressure to make sure you’re in good shape.
• Measure the height of your uterus to get an idea of how big your baby will be.
• Check the heart rate of your child.
• Inquire as to if your baby’s movements are happening at the same frequency as they were at your last visit.

You will be asked to provide a urine sample so that your blood sugar and protein levels may be checked.