Weeks 36 to 38

Week 36

Overview

Weighing in at 2622g (92.488oz) and being 47.4 centimetres in length (18.66 inches), your baby is now growing at a rapid pace! In a few days, your baby will be classified as early-term, meaning your baby is nearly ready for birth. The white and waxy substance known as the vernix caseosa, which once covered the baby’s body, has now, for the most part, dissolved. Your baby would have swallowed this, as well as a number of other substances, which will form a blackish-green stool, also known as meconium (for the first few stools of an infant) and be found in the first few diapers after your baby’s bowel movement.

 

Your baby’s development at this stage

Your little one is continuing to pack on weight at a great rate and is gaining weight daily, being about the size of a large romaine lettuce. At the end of week 36, you will be considered early-term, whereas full-term is 39 to 40 weeks. 41 weeks is considered 41 weeks, and if your baby is born passed 42 weeks, this is known as post-term. Your baby is probably in the head-down position at this stage, however, if your baby hasn’t naturally moved into this birthing position, then your doctor may recommend that you have an external cephalic version. This means that your doctor will apply pressure to the abdomen in order to try and get your baby to turn into the head-down position.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

It may be hard to eat bigger meals at this stage, with your baby taking up more space. This means that you should opt for smaller and more frequent meals as these may be easily digested and not result in heartburn. However, when your baby drops down into your pelvis, this often lessens your heartburn.

Your Braxton Hicks contractions may also be occurring more frequently at this stage. If you notice that your contractions are more intense and last for about one minute, occurring every five minutes over the period of an hour, you may be going into labour and should immediately call your doctor, particularly if you have any vaginal bleeding, a persistent headache or unusual abdominal pain.

Even if you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy so far, you should avoid travelling far from home, this includes flying in particular (most airlines will not allow you to fly in your third trimester).

What to do at this stage

Now is a good time to meet with a few paediatricians in order for you to choose one. You may also want to consider if you are having a boy, whether you want him circumcised or not.

As your ligaments are loosening, you may be suffering from some aches and pains, try taking a long warm bath to ease the pain.

Week 37

Overview

Your baby is nearly full-sized at this stage and weighs 2859g (100.848oz), with a length of 48.6 centimetres, which is 19.13 inches. It may start to feel like you are carrying around a bowling ball in your stomach.

Your baby is preparing for labour, which should only be a few weeks away. His or her head is now moving into the birthing position in your pelvis. This position is referred to as ‘engaged’. Your little one’s immune system is also starting to ready itself for birth, if you decide to breastfeed, this will help boost his or her immune system and help protect your baby from any potential infections.

 

Your baby’s development at this stage

You are getting closer and closer to your due date at this stage, however, you will only be considered full-term as 39 weeks. In the following two weeks, you baby’s brain and lungs will reach maturity. If you are planning to have a C-section, then your doctor will only schedule this after 39 weeks, granted there are no current complications with your pregnancy.

A lot of babies are born with a full head of hair, and it is often the same colour as your hair, whilst other babies are born with only a few strands of hair, or rather, peach fuzz.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

As stated, you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions more and more frequently at this stage. Don’t be surprised if you notice an increase in your vaginal discharge. If you notice mucus that is tinged with a small amount of blood in your underwear or toilet now or in the upcoming weeks, then this may indicate that you are only a few days away from going into labour. This type of discharge occurs when your mucous (mucus) plug dislodges and your cervix begins to open, leading to the rupture of blood vessels as the cervix dilates in preparation for birth.  This event is known as a bloody show and is completely normal if you are close to your due date.  If you notice any heavy bleeding or spotting, then you will need to contact your doctor immediately.

It is normal to have some strange and intense dreams as these can be brought about from any anxiety you may be feeling about labour or being a parent.

What to do at this stage

You will also need to make sure that you know the results of your GBS culture test, this will allow for the results to show on your chart when you are admitted into hospital and inform staff as to whether or not you need antibiotics during labour.

Ensure you are always keeping track of and monitoring your baby’s movements and let your doctor know if you notice a decrease in his or her movements. 

Most of your contractions will occur after 34 weeks and are often irregular and random, these are Braxton Hicks contractions. However, if these become more regular and occur every 10 minutes or sooner, then you may be in labour, this is known as preterm labour.

Now is a good time to pack your hospital bag.

Week 38

Overview

Your baby is getting closer and closer to being classified as full-term. Now being around 3083g (108.75oz) in weight and 49.8 centimetres in length (19.61), he or she is pretty snug in the womb. A lot of his or her weight is from the layer of fat that he or she has developed to date, from now on the growth will slow down and all the organs will be working. The brain has begun to control the functioning of the baby’s body, this includes the baby’s ability to breathe and monitoring the rate at which the heart pumps blood. The reflexes are also very active now and include sucking and grasping – vital for your baby to latch on to your breast for breastfeeding when he or she is born.

 

Your baby’s development at this stage

Your little one has done most of his or her growing at this stage. You may be curious about the colour of your baby’s eyes, if he or she has brown eyes at birth, then they are likely to stay brown. If he or she has dark blue eyes or steel grey, then they may turn to hazel, brown or green by the time your baby is nine months old, or they will stay the same colour from birth.

This is due to that fact that your baby’s irises, which are the coloured areas of the eye, often gain more pigment during the months following the birth. However, the eyes do not typically get lighter or become bluer.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

For a lot of women, the following few weeks are a bit of a waiting game. This is a good time to start to get your baby’s nursery ready (the walls should have been painted and the room ventilated already as these fumes can be toxic for the baby).

It is normal to experience a little more swelling in your ankles and feet, however, if this progresses and becomes excessive, then contact your doctor. If you have any symptoms of preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnant women), then contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms are:

• Suddenly gaining weight
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Swelling in the face
• Persistent or severe headaches
• Vision changes such as blurred or double vision, seeing flashing lights, being sensitive to bright light or seeing spots
• Intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen
• Nausea or vomiting

What to do at this stage

If you haven’t done this already, you may want to start reading up on caring for your baby and breastfeeding. This includes feeding, sleeping, bathing and more. You will want to be as prepared as possible as you won’t have this time again once the baby is born to do your research.