Pregnancy Week 36

Week by Week

36-weeks This week of pregnancy, your baby is about 20 – 20 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 6 pounds. During these last weeks of pregnancy, your baby puts on most of his or her weight and additional fat is being deposited under the skin.

Your baby’s little knees and elbows are beginning to developing dimples now and also creases are developing around his or her neck area. Your baby is still practicing sucking by sucking on his or her fingers. Your baby is probably resting in a head-down position at this point, but may possibly be in a breech (or head-up) position.

Your due date is rapidly approaching and you may feel as if you have run out of room now, since your uterus is up under your ribs. You may find that your weight is beginning to stabilize at this point or even that you have lost a pound or two. Some women still continue to gain about one pound per week, since every woman is different. You may begin seeing your doctor or midwife every week from now until delivery. Packing your hospital bag wouldn’t be a bad idea, if you haven’t done so already.

If this is your first baby he or she may move down into your pelvis, or the “engaged” position, around now. This is called “lightening” or “dropping”. You may notice yourself when this happens because it will suddenly become much easier for you to breathe, but on the other hand, it may make your bathroom visits even more frequent.

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