Week Thirty-Six - Pregnancy Week by Week

Mother:

You will probably start to see your practitioner every week until you give birth. You may have a vaginal exam to screen for Group B Strep (GBS).

Most babies will be in a head down position at this point. However, about 4% of the babies will be breech. Do not panic! There are plenty of things that you can do to encourage the baby to turn, including special exercises. If the exercises do not work, your practitioner may want to attempt an external cephalic version (ECV). The ECV is a manual turning of the baby.

Baby:

The baby continues to grow and snuggle down into your pelvis. The benefit of this is that you can breathe more easily, however, you also have to urinate more often. Your practitioner will probably not stop your labor if you were to start having regular contractions now.

Baby weighs about five pounds two ounces (2.3 kilograms) and measures 45 cms or 17.8 inches. Although here at the end there is a larger margin of difference among babies. Ask your practitioner to palpate (feel through your abdomen) to guesstimate the weight. Remember it is just a guess, although some are better than others.

Dad:

Since her prenatal appointments are every week now, you might want to go with her to check in with her midwife or doctor. If you are planning a home birth you may have a special visit from your home and your birth kit may have arrived already.

Twin Tips:

Most vaginal born twins are born within an hour of each other, though this can vary from one right after the other, to several hours. You and the babies will be monitored to ensure the process does not need to be speeded up.

Suggested Reading:

The Baby Book by Dr. William and Martha Sears
A pediatrician's family inspired this book and his theory of parenting. Up-to-date medical information allowing you to make the choices necessary to raise a healthy, happy child.
Click Here to Order

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More Pregnancy Weeks:

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Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 |

Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 |

Week 23 | Week 24 | Week 25 | Week 26 | Week 27 | Week 28 | Week 29 |

Week 30 | Week 31 | Week 32 | Week 33 | Week 34 | Week 35 | Week 36 |

Week 37 | Week 38 | Week 39 | Week 40 | Week 41 | Week 42

There will be slight differences in everyone's growth and fetal development. Any problems should be reported to your practitioner.

_{Photo © K. Harrell}