Louise 
Pregnancy Week 36 – What to expect this week
You’re in Pregnancy Week 36, which means your due date is just around the corner—and if you’ve been counting the days (or waddles), you’re definitely not alone. Baby is officially considered late preterm now, and your body is working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready for the 36th week.
Let’s break it down.
👶 Baby at 36 Weeks
At this stage, baby is around 47cm long and weighs nearly 2.7kg, typical for pregnancy at 36 weeks. They’re looking a lot like a newborn now—with chubby cheeks, wrinkly knees, and a good layer of baby fat.
Inside your womb:
Lungs and digestive system are almost fully developed
They’re shedding most of that waxy vernix and lanugo (aka womb fluff)
During Pregnancy Week 36 their head might be starting to engage (drop into your pelvis), especially if this is your first baby.
And yes, they’re still doing plenty of acrobatics… just with a lot less room.
🤰 Your Symptoms at 36 Weeks
Your uterus is now roughly the size of a watermelon. So if you’re feeling very done with pregnancy, and especially feeling it during week 36, that’s entirely fair.
Here’s what might be going on:
Pelvic pressure or lightening (as baby drops lower)
Braxton Hicks contractions that feel stronger or more frequent
More trips to the loo (thanks, squashed bladder)
Trouble sleeping (again)
Backache, hip ache, rib ache… all the aches
💡 Top tip: If your bump suddenly feels lower, that’s baby “engaging.” Some people feel relief in their ribs—and more pressure in their pelvis.
📅 What to Do at 36 Weeks
This is a great time to get your ducks in a row for pregnancy week 36:
✅ Pack your hospital bag (you can find our honest packing checklist here!)
✅ Think about who’s in your birth support team—and tell them they’re on call
✅ Double check birth preferences or write some down if you haven’t
✅ Install the car seat (you don’t want to be doing it mid-contraction)
And most importantly? Prepare yourself too for pregnancy as you approach the 36th week.
💬 Honest Midwife Thoughts
Feeling a mix of excitement, nerves, impatience, and “how on earth will this baby get out of me?” is completely normal during pregnancy week 36. At 36 weeks, birth can still feel a bit mysterious—but it’s also starting to feel very real.
That’s why this is one of the best times to take a birth preparation class.
We’re not talking about rehearsing how to breathe like a Victorian in labour. During Pregnancy Week 36, we mean practical, honest insight into what really happens—and how to feel calm and confident navigating it.
🎓 Not done any classes? Don’t worry there is still time.
We recommend:
🌟 Natural Labour & Birth – a free, friendly way to understand the process and feel more prepared
🌟 Induction of Labour & Instrumental Delivery – for the real talk on forceps, ventouse, and making informed decisions
🌟 Infant Feeding – One of our best classes – supporting you however you want to feed your baby.
We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and keep things totally judgement-free.
👉 Browse our live classes here or grab your spot in the next FREE Natural Labour & Birth class.
