Week by Week Pregnancy Guide – Week 36 of your pregnancy

With your labour approaching near, your gait becomes slow but your baby keeps putting on weight, readying for birth.Image

Debjani Arora | Published: December 16, 2014 6:48 pm

This week marks the start of the last month of your pregnancy. You are just one week away from full-term pregnancy and have reached late preterm. In fact now you are just a few weeks away from labour.

Here is what happens to you during this week:

Slower gait: Now that you are approaching full-term pregnancy, your uterus would be stretched and you might have gained anywhere between 10 to 12 kg throughout these months. Weight gain, bulging uterus, aches and pains of pregnancy make your gait slower. While some women adapt to their pregnant body well, others find it difficult to move around during these last few weeks. Did you know wearing high heels during pregnancy is a bad idea? Here is why.

Pelvic pains: By now your baby might have settled into the head-down position and would be pressing on your pelvic bone. Add to it the pressure of your uterus, a little discomfort and pelvic pain at this point in time isn’t a surprise. However, if you had been practising Kegal exercises since the start of your pregnancy, pelvic pains wouldn’t bother you much. If not, it is still not late to get started with Kegals, which will also prepare you for labour. Here are nine exercise dos and don’t you should follow during pregnancy.

Urinary tract infection: Group B streptococcus bacteria is present in the vaginal cavity of women during this time irrespective of maintaining good hygiene and health. This is a reason why many women suffer from urinary tract infections during the last few weeks. A screening done during this time can prevent an occurrence. Know about the important tests that need to be done during the third trimester of your pregnancy.

Weight gain: You would be gaining weight steadily during these last few weeks as your baby packs in more fat and your uterus continue to stretch out. In a healthy pregnancy, you can put on anywhere between one to one and half kilos every month during the third trimester. Here is what you need to know about weight gain during pregnancy.

Constipation and hemorrhoids: As your baby turns to the head-down position, your ribs, chest and lungs feel a bit lighter. This means you experience fewer episodes of heartburn. But the pelvic and lower abdominal area seems to get heavier like never before. The constant pressure of the uterus on the pelvic area can make constipation and hemorrhoids become worse. To counter these problems eat fibre rich foods and drink lots of water throughout the day. Here are few tips to combat constipation during pregnancy.

Apart from these, you might also be suffering from other pregnancy problems like leaky breasts, vaginal discharge, edema, fatigue, frequent urination etc.

Development of your baby:

Here is what happens to your baby this week:

Your baby gains weight: Your baby is still adding fat deposits under the skin and now looks plumper than before. This process would continue till you reach labour.

Your baby’s skeletal structure grows strong: While all the other bones and cartilage gets stronger with each passing day, the skull remains soft to initiate a smooth vaginal birth during labour. However, this doesn’t mean that the other bones become hard and rigid. They are still flexible to help your baby squeeze itself out through the vaginal opening.

Your baby’s digestive system continues to grow: While your baby’s circulation is near perfect, the digestive system still has some catching up to do. It matures completely only after birth when it starts to function on its own without receiving nutrients from the umbilical cord.

This week your baby might weigh anywhere between 2500 to 2700 g and measure up to 500 mm from crown-to-rump.

What you can do:

If your baby has not turned to the head-down position talk to your doctor about your labour options and prepare accordingly. Here are few simple ways to turn your breech baby into normal position.
Go for a group B streptococcus bacteria culture to know if you are susceptible to this bacterial infection and get treated with antibiotics if required. At times, bacteria can be passed to the baby during birth and result in lung infections. Usually, this screening is done during the 36^th week of pregnancy. If you missed it, insist on one.
Continue with your exercises, even if it seems a bit difficult with your growing belly. This is the only way you can relieve yourself from the various pregnancy induced aches and pains.
Even though you would feel lighter with your baby’s head resting on your pelvic area, eating a full course meal would still be difficult. Try eating six small meals throughout the day. Drink lots of water to relieve yourself from symptoms of constipation and hemorrhoids.
To soothe yourself from the pains due to hemorrhoids use antiseptic creams and ice packs after consulting your doctor.
Keep your maternity bag ready, as labour can strike you at any point now. Here is a list of things that you need to include in your maternity bag.

Image Source: Getty Images

Published: December 16, 2014 6:48 pm

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