My 36 Week Pregnant Belly Picture
Starting Weight: 123lbs
Current Weight: 141lbs
Total Weight Gain: 18lbs
Now let’s go over how my week went and what to expect…
Energy Level: My energy level was great this week. Probably because I was really excited to finish my last 24-hour shift as an OBGYN resident!
Pregnancy Symptoms: I’ve noticed fewer leg cramps throughout the night as well as fewer nighttime awakenings to urinate.
I also noticed that my nails have become quite weak and brittle. During the second trimester, they were much stronger and grew quite long.
Other Physical Changes: No new physical changes. The linea nigra never appeared and I don’t see any stretch marks, which I attribute to my amazing cream 🙂
Diet: My diet has not changed much during the third trimester.
I continue to eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and take my daily prenatal vitamin.
Here is a short video of my typical diet.
Diet Modifications: No diet modifications this week.
Food Aversions: No food aversions this week.
Food Cravings: No food cravings this week.
Workouts: I started week 2 of my new strength training program focusing on the push, pull, legs protocol. I am really enjoying the workouts- they last about 30 minutes each, and include different exercises from my previous pregnancy program.
I also include exercises to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles.
You can see examples of my entire pregnancy workout in my Prenatal Fitness Prescription.
Modifications to my workout: I continue to take adequate rest between sets and reps and make sure my heart rate does not go above 140 for prolonged periods of time. Also, when riding my Peloton, I make sure to only choose workouts that are “beginner” or low impact as to not overexert myself.
*Be sure to speak with your health care provider before doing any physical activity or lifting at this stage of your pregnancy.*
Other Related Questions
What does 36 weeks pregnant look like?
The way you look at 36 weeks pregnant varies depending on your body size, how much weight you have gained, and your genetics.
With that said, most pregnant women should have a fundal height (the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus) of 34 to 38 cm.
Here is what my baby bump looks like at 36 weeks pregnant:
- This is my first pregnancy
- I had a normal BMI at the start of pregnancy
- I am fairly active person and have exercised throughout my pregnancy
- I’ve only gained 18lbs thus far
Does your bump get bigger after 36 weeks?
Yes, your bump can continue to grow after 36 weeks of pregnancy as your baby is still growing.
To measure this growth, we will record your fundal height.
The fundal height is a great way to assess how well your baby is growing inside the uterus without the need for an ultrasound.
At 36 weeks your fundal height should be about 36 centimeters (+/- 2cm).
What should I be feeling at 36 weeks pregnant (what to expect)?
At 36 weeks pregnant, here are some pregnancy symptoms you could experience:
- Braxton Hicks Contractions (false labor)
- Shortness of breath with activity
- Frequent urination
- Continued fetal movements
- Fatigue
- Your baby dropping into the birth canal
- Increased pressure in the pelvic area
What should I avoid at 36 weeks pregnant?
At 36 weeks, you should avoid:
- Being flat on your back for prolonged periods of time
- Prolonged elevations in your heart rate
- Dehydration
- High risk exercises that increase your risk of falling
- Sexual intercourse if you have been diagnosed with short cervix or placenta previa
- Prolonged travel
You should also avoid excessive caffeine and any other foods that are not safe in pregnancy such as unwashed produce, uncooked deli meats, unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, high mercury fish, etc.
36 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore
Here is a list of symptoms that you should not ignore in the late third trimester.
- Blurry vision
- Severe headache
- Chest pain
- Moderate shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain (all of the above are signs of preeclampsia or high blood pressure)
- Vaginal bleeding
- Painful uterine contractions
- Leaking fluid from the vagina
- Decreased fetal movements
- Fever or chills
- Painful swelling of one lower exteremity
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
What are some signs that labor is nearing?
Signs that labor is nearing include:
- Painful uterine contractions that are regular
- Constant lower back pain
- Breaking your water
True labor contractions tend to increase in frequency and intensity over time.
If you are experiencing any of these signs of labor at 36 weeks, you should speak with your healthcare provider or go to the nearest labor and delivery unit as your baby is still considered preterm.
Is it normal to have discharge at 36 weeks pregnant?
It is common to have increased vaginal discharge at 36 weeks pregnant.
Normal discharge should be clear in color, odorless, and not cause any itching or pain.
If the discharge is watery and continuous, you may have broken your water. Speak to your doctor immediately.
You may also notice heavy mucousy discharge with a blood tinge. This may be your mucus plug. Don’t worry, losing your mucus plug does not usually mean labor is approaching.
If you experience vaginal itching, vaginal burning, or a foul odor, you may have an infection and will need treatment.
What is my baby doing in the womb at 36 weeks?
At 36 weeks your baby is moving, swallowing amniotic fluid, practicing breathing, opening and closing his eyes, and maybe even sucking the thumb.
Are babies fully developed at 36 weeks?
Babies are fully developed at 36 weeks however some internal organs will continue to develop until full term.
One important organ that continues to develop is the lungs. This is why if you go into labor at 36 weeks gestation, you will be offered a steroid injection which can help mature your baby’s lungs.
The organ system that is fully developed at this point is the digestive system.
What does a baby look like at 36 weeks?
A 36-week baby will look a lot like a full-term baby with full cheeks and a healthy layer of body fat.
How much does a 36 weeks pregnant baby weigh?
A 36-week baby weighs approximately 6 lbs and measures approximately18.5 inches in length.
This is about the size of a papaya.
However, this is just an average!
It is possible your baby is measuring bigger or smaller.
36 weeks pregnant baby position
The majority of babies are in the vertex/cephalic or head down position at 36 weeks.
This is the position that is needed to have a vaginal delivery.
If your baby is in the breech position at this time, you will be offered an external cephalic version at 37 weeks.
An external cephalic version or ECV is a procedure that is done by an OBGYN physician to manually rotate your baby into the cephalic position.
Are 36 weeks pregnant baby movements painful?
Baby movements can be painful or uncomfortable at 36 weeks pregnant.
At this point, you have a 6 lb baby moving inside a cramped space trying to get comfortable.
It is not uncommon for you to feel sharp sensations in your vagina, lower back, and bladder as he or she moves.
If the discomfort is only with fetal movement, it is unlikely that there is anything to be worried about.
What is 36 weeks pregnant in months?
36 weeks equates to 9 months of pregnancy!
Were you fooled that pregnancy is only 9 months?
The issue here is that most women do not know they are pregnant until their first missed period, which occurs when they are at least 4 weeks pregnant.
If you count from week 1, pregnancy is actually 10 months.
Surprise, surprise.
Anything else I should know?
If you had a positive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test, you will need antibiotics during labor. This is to prevent your infant from developing a severe infection due to the presence of that bacteria in your perineal area.
After 36 weeks, you will likely see your provider weekly and they may do a pelvic exam each time to check if your cervix is dilating.
Final Words on The 36th Week of Pregnancy
Can you believe we are entering the last month of pregnancy?
Next week, your baby is considered full-term and delivery can happen anytime (even before your due date).
We are at the home stretch!
Make sure your hospital bag is ready, you have a car seat to take your baby home in and a warm, safe place for your baby to sleep.
Check back next week for my 37-week update as I enter the last weeks of my pregnancy!
My Other Weekly Updates
- My pregnancy bump at 33 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 34 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 35 weeks of gestation
Get Four Free Workouts To Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor & Heal Your Mommy Tummy!
Brittany Robles, MD, MPH, CPT
Brittany Robles is a full-time OBGYN physician, a NASM certified trainer, and a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal health with a special interest in exercise and nutrition. She is also the co-author of The White Coat Trainer. Learn more about her here.
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