36 Weeks Pregnant - Trimester 3

Your Baby at 36 Weeks

Your baby is getting their nutrition from you, through the umbilical cord right now. After they are born, they’ll be getting their nutrition from breastfeeding, specifically colostrum, the early breastmilk already being produced by your breasts.  Similarly, at birth the placenta ceases to “act as a lung.” The amniotic fluid that was in your baby’s airway will be pushed out of their nose and mouth by pressure on their chest from going through the birth canal, and everything will kick in the way it’s supposed to as your little one takes their first breaths independently. 

At 36 weeks, your baby is around the length of a celery stick and their growth will slow down now, they'll be getting quite plump and ready for life after they leave the womb.

Your Body at 36 Weeks Pregnant

With your baby bump now so prominent, it can be hard to bend down to do up your shoes; you might want to wear shoes you can slip in and out of easily. Even easy tasks can be tiring when carrying a large belly.  Maybe parents or friends can help a bit with the housework, doing the shopping or even cooking once in a while. If you feel tired, you could always ask for a bit of help and support as a present for the baby’s birth.

Diet for Week 36 of Pregnancy

Although most women that are pregnant have a higher appetite than before they were pregnant, if you are feeling too tired to eat, or suddenly have little interest in adding more to your belly, try to eat small mini-meals or healthy snacks throughout the day.  Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking about 8-10 glasses of water each day. Continue on with any prenatal supplements that your doctor prescribed but stay away from over-the-counter energy boosters or meal replacement drinks not designed for pregnant women unless advised by your doctor.  

Tips for Week 36 of Pregnancy

For some, naming the baby is a breeze. For others, it can be a source of friction. You can find inspiration everywhere – naming books (which often have mythical and exotic names as well as more traditional ones), family records, characters or performers from favourite films. One possibility is to approach the selection process slowly by using lists, for example. You make one and your partner makes one. If there are names that are on both lists…well, that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?! A little tip: Don’t get too many friends or relatives involved in the hunt for a name. Nothing gets more tiresome than hearing a variation of “Oh, I used to have a three-legged Chihuahua called that!” every time you mention a name you like!

This point in your pregnancy is a good time to prep for you and your partner’s health postpartum, as well as the baby’s. Check out our guide ‘Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for Post-Pregnancy’ which will save you time, energy and money after baby arrives.