Ailments of the 36th week of pregnancy - how to deal with them? 36 weeks pregnant - what month is it? At 36 weeks of pregnancy, are a hard stomach and the feeling of uterine contractions a cause for concern? What is the appearance and weight of the baby at 36 weeks of pregnancy, and is preterm labor associated with a high risk for the baby? In this post, we give you some useful information and tips for your XNUMXth week of pregnancy.
36 weeks of pregnancy, which month and trimester is it?
In medical terminology, it is customary to define the stages of pregnancy in weeks, so many people feel confused and wonder: 36th week of pregnancy, which month is it?
Week 36 (35.1-36 tc) is the beginning of the 9th, last month of pregnancy and at the same time the last stage of her third trimester.
The baby will be born any moment now, so many women experience significant anxiety during this period, both about the birth itself and about caring for the newborn. At 36 weeks pregnant, online forums aren't always a reliable source of information, as they often contain subjective opinions, often unsupported by medical evidence.
It's best to address any concerns by speaking with your midwife at 36 weeks pregnant, who will provide professional advice on any ailments and perinatal care for both mother and baby . This is also the last chance to take advantage of childbirth classes (even if it's just a few online sessions with a midwife). Discuss any medical issues with your doctor.
What does a pregnant belly look like and what are the most common problems in the 36th week of pregnancy?
The belly at 36 weeks of pregnancy usually becomes quite a challenge for a woman. It's difficult to bend down to put on shoes. Shortness of breath can become a problem even during trivial activities, and some pregnant women may also experience balance problems due to a forward shift in their center of gravity. It's worth investing in comfortable slip-on shoes or those with Velcro fastening. If you feel short of breath and tired, don't hesitate to rest in a comfortable position, and if you have trouble maintaining your balance, avoid standing on elevated surfaces where you could easily fall (don't hang curtains or clean tall cabinets).
Other ailments from the 36th week of pregnancy also include:
- heartburn; back pain;
- swelling of the legs;
- or hemorrhoids.
It's worth adopting a high-fiber diet (fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains) and eating smaller, more frequent portions. At 36 weeks pregnant, many online forums offer advice on how to prevent leg swelling. Placing your legs on a raised surface, such as when sitting, on a stool, and soaking them in cool water can help with swollen legs.
The need for frequent visits to the bathroom due to pressure from the uterus on the bladder, as well as urinary incontinence, are also common complaints among pregnant women during this period. It's worth ruling out any urinary tract infections by performing a urine test at 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Kegel exercises (pelvic floor muscles), which also play an important role in childbirth, will help with incontinence problems.
It is enough to perform them regularly for about 5 minutes a day to feel a significant improvement. If you do not know how to practice mm. Kegel, consult a midwife or physiotherapist (especially one with urogynecology specialization). In the 36th week of pregnancy, the online forum is a good place to ask other pregnant women about recommended specialists in your city.
What is the baby's weight and body length at 36 weeks of pregnancy?
By this time, the fetus has already reached a weight of approximately 2500–2800 grams and measures approximately 47 cm. The baby's movements may be felt less frequently in the 36th week of pregnancy because the fetus has very little space in the uterus to perform more intense "gymnastics."
Remember that both the child's weight and height are highly correlated with his genetics, so it is not worth comparing your baby with your friend's toddler, who is also in the same week of pregnancy.
If you are concerned about anything about your baby's development, it is best to consult your healthcare professional. He will check in the percentile grids what the baby's weight should meet in the 36th week of pregnancy and on this basis he will determine if your baby is all right.
The appearance of the baby at 36 weeks of pregnancy
At this stage of pregnancy, all the fetal systems and organs are fully developed, with only the lungs in the final stages of maturation. The baby has hair on its head, plump cheeks, and an upturned nose to facilitate breathing while nursing.
During the 36th week of pregnancy, 3D or 4D ultrasound images will reveal a fully formed little human being. Although not necessary for medical reasons, they serve as a unique reminder of pregnancy. At 36 weeks, the baby is still actively swallowing amniotic fluid (up to 0,5 liters per day), which contains particles from its epidermis, vernix fetalis, and amniotic sac, among other things. These biological particles form the first stool, known as meconium, in the baby's intestines.
At 36 weeks of pregnancy, do uterine contractions and hardening of the abdomen mean labor is about to begin?
In some women at 36 weeks, the abdomen begins to lower slightly, which is caused, among others, by the movement of the baby down the birth canal. The little man is preparing for childbirth. At this stage of pregnancy, it is completely normal and does not necessarily mean that any day will happen.
In turn, symptoms such as uterine contractions occurring at 36 weeks of pregnancy can be either pre-term contractions (Braxton-Hicks) or first-stage contractions. How can you tell them apart?
Predictive contractions
They are irregular and slowly fade away when you rest or after taking a warm (not hot) shower.
Labor contractions
These contractions at 36 weeks of pregnancy are regular, becoming more painful, and they do not go away with rest. They can radiate to the loins and groin. As time goes on, they begin to be separated by ever shorter intervals. They are usually accompanied by other symptoms of the commencing labor, such as mucosal plug breakup, breakage of fluid, diarrhea, vomiting, or blood spotting.
If you have a hard stomach at 36 weeks of pregnancy, it can mean both predictive contractions, spinning, and too much stress and effort in your life. First of all, rest and watch your body. If your belly hardens many times a day, please report it to your doctor.
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Anna Milewska Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child
Is delivery considered premature at 36 weeks of pregnancy?
Physiologically, pregnancy lasts a full 40 weeks, but a pregnancy is considered full-term when it reaches 37 weeks (i.e., a minimum of 36 weeks and 6 days). A premature baby born 36 weeks into pregnancy is therefore considered a late-term premature baby, but doctors still consider them to require increased medical supervision and, for example, respiratory support (although this is much less common than in babies born earlier in pregnancy).
This is why giving birth at 36 weeks of pregnancy is still considered premature. It often occurs at this time in women with multiple pregnancies, as the babies already have very little space in their mother's uterus and are almost fully ready to be born. Therefore, in such pregnancies, giving birth at 36 weeks is considered safe for both mother and babies.
Medical visit at 36 weeks of pregnancy
During this time, a pregnant woman should visit her gynecologist at least every two weeks, unless more frequent visits are recommended. In addition to an ultrasound to assess fetal well-being and cervical length, the doctor will order standard tests , such as:
- blood count
- and urinalysis.
If the following tests have not been performed previously, the gynecologist will also recommend additional diagnostics (for the period 33-37 weeks of pregnancy):
- HBs antigen;
- HIV;
- vaginal and rectal culture (GBS)
- and VDRL and HCV testing in women at risk.
What if the baby is not growing in the 36th week of pregnancy?
It will certainly be professionally assessed by the attending physician, but you need to know that during this period of pregnancy, the child mainly gains weight, but does not grow so quickly in length (as in the earlier stages of pregnancy). If, on the other hand, at 36 weeks of pregnancy you are worried about little movement of your baby, remember that this is a normal symptom. Due to the small amount of space, the fetus mainly restricts its activity to sleeping and sudden but less frequent 'kicks'.
It's a good idea to monitor your baby's movements three times a day, after main meals, preferably while lying on your side. Count your baby's movements. You should feel about 10 within an hour. If they occur sooner, you can discontinue monitoring. Remember, if anything about the fetus's movements worries you (too few movements or unusually increased activity), don't hesitate to go to the hospital, where a doctor will assess the baby's well-being based on a CTG.
Consultation :
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
