36 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Dropping, Weekly Check-Ups & Nursery

36 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Dropping, Weekly Check-Ups & Nursery

At 36 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a papaya, and their lungs are nearly mature. Your baby may drop lower into your pelvis, which is called lightening. Your check-ups are now weekly, and it's time to sort those last-minute nursery essentials.

Baby's size
About the size of a papaya (around 47cm head to heel, 2.6kg)
Big development
Lungs nearly mature, and many babies dropping lower
Common symptoms
Pelvic pressure, weeing more, swelling and more discharge
This week
Weekly check-ups begin

What's happening this week

Your baby is fully formed and will put on around another half a kilo or more before birth. Babies born now are called late preterm. Most do well, though some need extra monitoring or help with feeding.

Lungs

Nearly ready

Your baby's lungs are almost mature and ready to breathe air. Until birth, the placenta still supplies all their oxygen.

Looks

Newborn ready

Your baby's skin is pink and smooth, and their head is more in proportion with their body, thanks to all that fat.

Position

Getting lower

Most babies are head down by now. Your doctor or midwife will check your baby's position at each visit.

Keep getting to know your baby's pattern of movements right up until labour, and contact your hospital straight away if they slow down, stop or change.

Lightening: when your baby drops

As your baby moves lower into your pelvis, your bump may look lower. In a first pregnancy, this often happens from around 36 weeks. In later pregnancies, babies often don't drop until labour starts. Here's what may change.

May feel easier

  • Breathing, as there's less pressure on your lungs
  • Eating bigger meals
  • Less heartburn

May feel harder

  • Weeing more often
  • More pressure and heaviness in your pelvis
  • Walking comfortably, with a bit more of a waddle
  • Sharp twinges in your pelvis or vagina

Your weekly check-ups

From now until your baby is born, you'll usually see your doctor or midwife every week.

Regular checks
Your blood pressure, your baby's heartbeat and growth, and how your baby is lying, including whether their head has moved down into your pelvis.
Your GBS swab
If your hospital offers it, you'll usually have it between 35 and 37 weeks. Here's more about the GBS swab.
Planning ahead
When to call and come in to hospital, your birth preferences, and what happens if you go past your due date.
If your baby is breech
Your doctor will talk about your options. These may include trying to turn your baby (external cephalic version, or ECV), a planned caesarean or, in some cases, a vaginal breech birth.An ECV is usually offered from around 36 to 37 weeks and works about half the time

Symptoms at 36 weeks pregnant

  • Pelvic pressure. A heavy feeling as your baby moves lower. Resting and gentle swimming can help.
  • Swelling. Feet and ankles often swell by the end of the day. It usually settles within days of the birth.
  • More discharge. It's normal to have more discharge now. You might notice a show, a plug of mucus that may be streaked with pink or brown blood, as your cervix gets ready for labour.
  • Braxton Hicks. Practice contractions may become more frequent. They're usually irregular and ease with rest.

Call your hospital straight away if your waters break, even without contractions, or if you have regular or painful contractions, bright red bleeding, or your baby's movements change. Also call if you have sudden swelling, a severe headache, blurred vision or pain under your ribs.

Last-minute nursery essentials

With your big-ticket items sorted, now's the time to stock up on the small things you'll reach for every day, especially at 3am.

Sleep

For every nap

Two or three fitted sheets, a waterproof mattress protector, and swaddles or safe sleeping bags in newborn sizes.

Changing

Within reach

Newborn nappies, fragrance-free wipes, nappy cream and a change mat, set up so you never have to leave your baby's side.

Night feeds

Calm and comfy

A nursing pillow, a soft night light, a pile of muslins and a water bottle for you.

Our sleep list and baby changing list cover everything. Make sure your hospital bag is packed and by the door too.

Time to slow down

If you've started parental leave, enjoy some slower days. Rest, cook a few meals for the freezer, and talk with your partner about the kind of parents you'd like to be, including the family traditions you'd like to share with your baby.

Your to-do list for week 36

Helpful for this stage

Nursing pillowsComfy support for every feedShop nursing pillows MuslinsYou can never have too manyShop muslins Night lightsSoft light for night feedsShop night lights

Week 36 FAQs

What is lightening in pregnancy?

Lightening is when your baby drops lower into your pelvis, getting ready for birth. You might notice your bump sits lower, breathing and eating feel easier, but you need to wee more often and feel more pressure in your pelvis.

When does the baby drop in a first pregnancy?

In a first pregnancy, babies often drop a few weeks before labour, usually from around 36 weeks. In later pregnancies, it's common for babies not to drop until labour starts. Both are normal.

What happens at the 36-week appointment?

Your doctor or midwife will usually check your blood pressure, your baby's heartbeat, position and growth, and ask about movements. It's also a good time to talk about when to come to hospital, your birth preferences and what happens if you go past your due date.

What if my baby is breech at 36 weeks?

Your doctor will talk you through your options. These may include an external cephalic version (ECV), where they try to gently turn your baby by pressing on your tummy, which works about half the time. Other options include a planned caesarean or, in some cases, a vaginal breech birth.

What should I do if my waters break at 36 weeks?

Call your hospital straight away, even if you're not having contractions. Waters breaking before 37 weeks needs to be checked, as it can increase the risk of infection. Note the time, colour and smell of the fluid, and wear a pad rather than a tampon.

This article is general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife.

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