Your Pregnancy Week 36

Your Baby

Your baby continues to put on weight by about 1/2 pound each week. Its no wonder the womb is becoming very cramped. Your baby is gaining weight quickly because layers of fat pile on and help in both body temperature regulation and developing his immunity in preparation for life in the outside world. You may find you are carrying your baby much lower now (or soon will be) as the baby drops into the birth canal, readying himself for birth. Your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs from 5.5 to 6.0 pounds. The vast majority of babies born now will live with little need for intensive medical treatment.

Your Body

You will probably begin to see your healthcare provider every week now until you give birth. The average weight gain to this point is approximately 25 to 30 pounds. However, based on your body type, height and your baby's size (or even how many babies you are carrying) your weight gain may be more or less. You should be consuming about 2400-2500 calories a day, but be sure to make them count by eating healthy, nutritious foods as your body is working very hard now getting ready for delivery and needs the fuel.

Most babies will be in a head down position at this point. However, about 4 percent of the babies will be breech (meaning the buttocks or feet descend into the birth canal first). If your baby is breech, don't panic. There are plenty of things that you can do to encourage the baby to turn, including special exercises that you can learn from your healthcare provider.

Other things to ask your healthcare provider about (if you have not yet done so) include breastfeeding, Group B Strep and a hospital/birth facility tour.


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