Watch our video guide to Week 36 of your pregnancy journey:
What's Happening in Week 36?
Your baby now weighs approximately 2.7kg and measures about 47cm from head to toe — roughly the size of a head of romaine lettuce. From this week, your baby is considered "early term", meaning their organs are mature enough to function outside the womb, though every additional week of development is beneficial.
Key developments this week:
- Fat accumulation: your baby has been steadily gaining fat, filling out those chubby cheeks you'll see at birth. This fat layer is crucial for temperature regulation after delivery
- Lanugo shedding: the fine downy hair that covered your baby's body is mostly gone. What remains is swallowed along with shed vernix, forming part of the first bowel movement (meconium)
- Lungs: continuing to mature. Your baby is practising breathing movements by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid
- Immune system: your baby is receiving antibodies from you through the placenta, building an immune system for the outside world
- Brain development: the brain has been growing rapidly and will continue to develop after birth. Neural connections are forming at an extraordinary rate
- Positioning: most babies have settled into a head-down (cephalic) position by now, ready for birth. About 3-4% remain in breech position at this stage
Your Body This Week
The final weeks of pregnancy bring a unique mix of excitement and physical challenge:
- Engagement or "lightening": your baby's head may drop lower into your pelvis, which can make breathing easier but increases pressure on your bladder
- Frequent urination: potentially worse than at any other point in pregnancy, as the baby's head presses directly on your bladder
- Braxton Hicks contractions: these practice contractions may become more frequent and noticeable. Unlike true labour, they are irregular and don't increase in intensity
- Pelvic pressure and discomfort: the weight of your baby pressing downward can cause aches in the pelvis, hips, and lower back
- Difficulty sleeping: finding a comfortable position becomes increasingly challenging. Side-sleeping with pillows supporting your bump and between your knees can help
- Swollen feet and ankles: very common in late pregnancy due to fluid retention. Elevate your feet when possible and stay hydrated
Medical Appointments at 36 Weeks
Your antenatal visits are now more frequent — typically weekly from 36 weeks onwards. Your midwife or obstetrician will:
- Check your baby's position (head-down, breech, or transverse). If your baby is breech, you may be offered an external cephalic version (ECV) — a procedure to gently turn the baby
- Monitor your blood pressure and test for protein in your urine (screening for pre-eclampsia)
- Check for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) — some hospitals offer screening, though it's not routinely done in all Irish maternity units
- Discuss your birth plan and any preferences for pain relief, monitoring, and delivery
In Ireland, the HSE recommends discussing the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine with your GP or midwife — it is typically offered between 16-36 weeks of pregnancy.
Late Pregnancy Scans
A growth scan in the third trimester can provide valuable information about:
- Your baby's estimated weight and growth trajectory
- Amniotic fluid levels
- Placental position and function
- Baby's position (helpful if there's uncertainty about head-down vs breech)
If your healthcare team has any concerns about growth, fluid levels, or placental function, additional scans may be recommended.
Preparing for Birth
With just a few weeks to go, practical preparation becomes the priority:
- Hospital bag: pack essentials for yourself and baby. Include comfortable clothes, toiletries, phone charger, going-home outfit for baby, car seat, and any important documents
- Birth plan: discuss your preferences with your partner and midwife. Remember that plans may need to flex — the goal is a safe delivery for you and your baby
- Know the signs of labour: regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity, waters breaking (a gush or trickle of clear fluid), a "bloody show" (mucus plug), and persistent lower back pain
- Route to hospital: know the quickest route and have a backup plan. Consider timing at different times of day
- Siblings and pets: arrange care for older children and pets for when labour begins
When to Contact Your Hospital
Call your maternity unit if you experience:
- Regular contractions every 5 minutes lasting 60 seconds or more
- Your waters breaking
- Vaginal bleeding
- A decrease in your baby's movements
- Severe headache, visual disturbances, or sudden swelling (possible signs of pre-eclampsia)
- Feeling unwell or having a temperature
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always consult your GP, midwife, or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your circumstances.
Check your baby's position and estimated weight with a Growth Scan at Ultrasound Ireland.