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How often should you feel baby move at 36 weeks


36 weeks pregnant: What happens and timeline

At 36 weeks into a pregnancy, a woman is getting closer to the traditional due date of 40 weeks of pregnancy.

As in the rest of the third trimester, pregnant women can expect to gain slightly more than 1 pound during this week, as the fetus continues to grow. They may also experience certain symptoms.

This article will cover what pregnant women can expect at 36 weeks as they move toward delivery.

At 36 weeks, a fetus is gaining body fat and will have less room to move in the uterus. As a result, pregnant women may not feel the fetus move around as forcefully. Instead, they may feel the fetus stretch or twist.

Women can still monitor fetal movements at this stage. The ideal number of fetal movements is at least 10 times over 2 hours. Doctors call this “10 in 2.” However, there are alternative methods of fetal movement monitoring. A doctor can offer advice on the different options.

If the fetus is moving less often than they should, a woman should call a doctor for further recommendations.

Other symptoms that a pregnant woman can expect at 36 weeks include:

  • fatigue
  • frequent urination
  • heartburn
  • Braxton-Hicks, or “false,” contractions

Learn more about Braxton-Hicks contractions vs. real contractions here.

A pregnant woman may also experience shortness of breath. Although this is likely to be because the fetus is taking up more space in the body, it is still important to report new or extreme shortness of breath to a doctor.

Doctors will screen women throughout their pregnancy for signs of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia affects an estimated 2–3% of pregnancies and is a serious complication.

Pregnant women should be aware of the symptoms of preeclampsia and call their doctor immediately if they experience them. These symptoms include:

  • visual disturbances
  • a severe headache
  • problems breathing
  • unusual stomach pain

However, preeclampsia does not always cause noticeable symptoms.

Learn more about preeclampsia here.

Between weeks 36 and 38 of pregnancy, a doctor will also take a group B Streptococcus (GBS) swab as a routine test. If the result is positive, the woman will receive intravenous antibiotics to avoid passing the infection to the fetus during labor.

Multiple pregnancies

The delivery of more than half of twin pregnancies takes place before 37 weeks, which is what some doctors consider full-term birth for twins. This earlier delivery may be necessary for several reasons, including increased risks for preeclampsia and issues with the growth of the twins.

As with a standard pregnancy, if pregnant women with multiples notice fewer fetal movements or preeclampsia symptoms, they should immediately contact a doctor.

The weight and position of a fetus are important factors in the health of the pregnancy and delivery:

Weight

At 36 weeks, on average, a fetus is 16–19 inches long and weighs 6.0–6.5 pounds (lb).

Twins will be individually smaller in weight. Dichorionic twins, who have a placenta each, weigh an average of about 2,570.9 grams (5.67 lb).

During an appointment at 36 weeks, a doctor may use ultrasound or measurements of fundal height (from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone) to estimate the size of the fetus. These are only estimates, though, and variations from the average measurements at this stage do not necessarily indicate a problem.

Position

A doctor will focus on the fetus’s position at 36 weeks in preparation for delivery. They can usually identify key anatomical features on a fetus, including the head, back, and buttocks, by feeling the woman’s stomach. They may also use ultrasound or a pelvic exam to determine the positioning.

Ideally, at 36 weeks, a fetus will be facing head down. Doctors call this position “vertex.” A fetus in the vertex position will come out headfirst during delivery, which reduces the risk of complications and the likelihood of needing a cesarean delivery.

However, an estimated 3–4% of full-term fetuses are in the breech position. In this position, the head, buttocks, or feet are set to come out of the birth canal first. If this positioning occurs during labor, a doctor will usually recommend a cesarean delivery to reduce the risk of complications.

Beginning at 36 weeks, a doctor may recommend an external cephalic version, which is a manual attempt to turn a fetus to the head down position. The doctor, sometimes with the assistance of another healthcare professional, will use their hands to turn the fetus.

A doctor will usually recommend this procedure at 36 weeks because the fetus will continue to grow and may become too large to attempt to turn.

A doctor should discuss the risks and benefits with the pregnant woman.

Learn more about fetal positioning here.

In addition to staying hydrated, eating a healthful and balanced diet will help provide energy to the pregnant woman and fetus. A healthful diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

The 36-week mark is understandably an active time as a pregnant woman prepares for delivery. Balancing periods of activity and light physical exercise with rest can help.

Pregnant women should see a doctor if they experience the following symptoms at 36 weeks:

  • noticeable decreases in fetal movement
  • strong (lasting more than a minute) or frequent (at least every 5 minutes) contractions
  • sudden, significant weight gain, which could indicate preeclampsia swelling

At this time, if there is anything that women are worried about in relation to their pregnancy, they should call their doctor for further guidance.

At 36 weeks pregnant, a woman is close to delivery. Weekly appointments with a doctor are likely to be necessary to ensure that the fetus is growing and positioned well for labor.

Anyone with concerns about the health of a pregnancy or fetus should call their doctor.

How many times should my baby kick during pregnancy?

Hurray, you've started to feeling those flutters – or maybe even little kicks – made by your growing baby as they move about in your womb! And you may have heard or read about keeping track of how many of these movements you're feeling. But why is this important? How many movements should you expect to feel each day? And does that change as your due date gets closer?

"Each baby will develop their own individual pattern and some are just more active than others," says Nikki Khan, senior midwife at St George's University Hospital, London. "There’s no 'correct' frequency, as it's different for every woman. But your baby will develop a 'routine' and it's good to get to know what's normal for your baby."

  • When will you first start to feel your baby move?

Aren't you supposed to count 10 kicks per day?

No, this is something pregnant women used to be told (there was a very successful 'Count to 10' programme that was widely endorsed by midwives). But now because it's known how very different one baby's movements can be from another's – some babies may move 4 times an hour, for example, while others move 100 times an hour – this has practice been discontinued.

Mums-to-be used to be asked to keep a record of their baby’s movements but it can be more worrying than reassuring, so we no longer do this

Nikki Khan, senior midwife, St George's Hospital

It's also really hard to compare what pregnant women call a baby movement: it could really vary, with some women 'counting' every tiny flutter and others maybe not noticing much beyond the really big kicks.

So, now it's all about staying in tune with your baby's regular movements. The idea is to get to know your baby's kicking habits and become aware of how active your baby is – so that, if anything changes away from that norm, you can ask your midwife to check it out.

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Baby kick watch: week by week

OK, so we know that every baby is different but, despite that there are certain common patterns to baby movements that happen during your 2nd and 3rd trimester. For example, you'll probably notice that your baby's movements will increase until you're 32 weeks pregnant and then, from then on, keep pretty much to the same frequency until you give birth.

We asked MadeForMum's expert midwife Anne Richley to outline what to expect:

  • 8 to 12 weeks
    You won't be able to feel anything yet but your baby is regularly moving around from about 8 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby's brain is sending messages to growing muscles, telling them to work, which in turn helps your baby to grow. Your baby is surrounded by cushioning amniotic fluid, acting as protection from any bumps and pressure.
  • 13 to 15 weeks
    Some pregnant women, especially if those who've had a baby before, can start to feel slight movements at the very beginning of the 2nd trimester. However, this is very rare.
  • 16 to 24 weeks
    This is typically the time period in which you will first feel that your baby moving – and if it's your 1st baby, it's more likely to happen after 20 weeks than before. You might only feel a little flutter – also known as quickening – as your baby is still tiny It can be so slight, you might put it down to gas or indigestion. Whenever it happens, it's completely normal to then have a few days when you don't feel anything at all.
  • 24 to 28 weeks
    This is when your baby's noticeable movement patterns will start to take shape. If you're busy working or looking after other children, you may not be aware of your baby's smaller actions and, as like as not, you'll find that, just when you start falling asleep, your baby starts to get lively! If you feel regular, jerky movements right about now, that could all be down to your baby having hiccups. Hiccups can last for 30 minutes at a time and are completely normal and won't harm your baby. They shouldn't be counted as movements however. The same goes for if your baby jumps after they hear a loud sound.
  • If your baby's pattern doesn't become clear exactly at 24 weeks, don't panic. As long as your baby is moving, that's fine. You might find your baby develops a more regular pattern closer to 28 weeks.
  • 28 weeks
    You may find your baby has developed a more regular pattern and you should be able to feel about 10 movements in a 12-hour period – but some of those may come very close together. Don't worry if your baby is quieter: just start familiarising yourself with what your baby likes to do.

From about 26 weeks, I've had a very active little boy in there but it took me a while to get into his pattern of moving and sleeping. If he has a very active day like yesterday, he will be quieter today

Writer73, on the MadeForMums forum
  • 29 to 31 weeks
    This is what your partner may have been waiting for: the grand reveal! Around this time you may be able to see your baby's movements from the outside, when the odd elbow or foot pushes out against your belly. One of the best places to spot your baby moving is in the bath (find out how to run the safest temperature for your bath)

Since 28 weeks, it's been much more regular. Not so much a pattern but I feel my baby most evenings. The movements change. Now it's less kicks but more general movement. I can see bits of my belly expand when my baby moves!

Angel00, on the MadeForMums forum
  • 32 weeks
    Your baby will become really active now, changing position constantly, stretching their arms and somersaulting. In fact, your womb's a bit like a playground. This active phase will continue up until birth. There will still be a pattern to it. If you notice a reduction in your baby movements, talk to your doctor or midwife.
  • 36 weeks
    After those weeks of tumbling and pushing around, most babies will start to move into a head-down position from 36 weeks, ready for the birth. As your baby gets into this position, you may feel gentle jabs from their arms and legs. If you've had several babies before, will may find that your baby’s in what’s known as an 'unstable lie', where your baby flits between being head-down (cephalic), sideways (transverse) or bottom-first (breech). Your baby can do this several times a day, although this is extremely rare with a 1st baby.
  • 36 to 40 weeks. Your baby won’t be able to move so much now and you're likely to feel a more persistent kick underneath the ribs. The movements might have changed but the frequency should remain the same. If you notice any change, speak to your midwife.

What if I'm past 20 weeks pregnant and I can't feel any kicks?

Most pregnant women will have felt some flutterings by the 24th week of pregnancy. It's worth knowing that first-time mums-to-be tend to feel movements later on in pregnancy – so don't be disheartened by the mum who's having her 3rd and has been feeling movements since week 16.

Also, if you have an anterior placenta (where your baby's placenta is attached to the front – tummy-side – wall of your uterus, rather than the back – spine-side – or top or side), you may feel fluttering a few weeks later than the average pregnant woman does, because the placenta is acting as a kind of cushion between your baby and belly, so making movements harder to feel.

If you haven't felt any movements at all by 25 weeks, though, do contact your midwife.

  • Read more about how anterior placenta can affect your baby's kicks

Are there certain times of the day when I should feel my baby move?

Babies can be active throughout the day and night, says Anne Richley, but they won't be continuously active so don't be worried if your baby has a rest for while. Babies don't always move, especially when they are sleeping.

Babies can sleep for anything from 20 minutes to 40 minutes, and sometimes they can even have a longer nap of anything up to 90 minutes.

You might also find that your baby's very active at night and in the morning, but you don't feel a huge amount during the course of the day. This is very normal as babies become very used to noise and your activity outside the womb and they often move more when you stop.

Think about how we walk around rocking a baby to sleep for comfort. It's the same thing when your baby's in your uterus. So when you sit down and rest, your baby might wake up as the rocking stops.

When will my partner be able to feel my baby kick?

Your partner will often be able to feel your baby a few weeks after you feel the first kicks. Again, every pregnancy is different.

"I think it was around the 23-week mark when my baby got really active so that my husband could start feeling the kicks," says Lucy_Spoon on our MadeForMums Chat forum. "My baby usually goes quiet if her Daddy touches my belly (might be a good sign that he's going to be some sort of baby whisperer). Now that I am 34 weeks, when I'm giving hubby a hug in bed she kicks his back!"

What will make my baby move more?

You can probably second-guess half of the things that will make a baby move before you even experience it, such as:

  • hot, cold or fizzy drinks
  • caffeine
  • ice
  • sugary food

What will make my baby move less?

Some things that are likely to make your baby move less include:

  • Taking painkillers
  • Sedatives
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking

”Also, if you haven’t had much to eat or drink that day, your baby may become lethargic and move less,” says Nikki Khan, "so have a light, nutritious snack and see if that helps.

"Sometimes, we're so busy, we're simply not concentrating on our baby and miss regular movements that way. If you're able to, take some quiet time to relax, and reconnect with your baby, focusing on feeling her move.

"A glass of ice-cold water will often get her moving – it’s thought that your baby can feel the change in temperature and will try to move away from it. If you’re at all worried, trust your instincts and call your midwife. She can have a listen and monitor you properly to put your mind at rest."

When should I seek medical advice?

"If you're concerned that your baby’s moving less than previously, you should contact your midwife who'll advise you to have your baby's heartbeat monitored to check everything’s OK," says Anne Richley. "In most cases, your baby will be moving but you're just not aware of it. Alternatively your baby might have altered positions, meaning you don't feel pushes or turning in such a defined way.

"Towards the end of your pregnancy, your baby has less room in which to do huge kicks or shoves, but you should still feel the same amount of moving, even it's slightly less strong, or feels different.

"Sometimes a significant reduction in movements can show that your baby is becoming unhappy in the womb, so it’s always important that you speak to a midwife, who can arrange for you to be seen quickly."

About our expert midwives Anne Richley and Nikki Khan

  • Anne is a midwife with 22 years' experience. She is currently Matron for Community Midwifery Service at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. She has written a number of books on pregnancy and birth, including Your Baby’s First Yearand Labour & Birth.
  • Nikki is passionate about midwifery care and qualified as a midwife in 1989. She has practised extensively as a Senior Midwife in the NHS and the private sector. She currently works at St George's University Hospitals NHS Trust and also acts as an Expert Midwifery Witness.

Read more...
  • When will I first feel my baby move?
  • Anterior placenta: how can if affect my baby's kicks?
  • What does the size of your bump mean?

what happens to the baby, sensations and movements, the stomach turns to stone, the height and weight of the fetus, what the child looks like

Published: 06/02/2017

Reading time: 5 min.

Number of reads: 34902

Feelings

In general, the feelings at the 36th week are not much different from what mommy experienced a week earlier. She can still be bothered by a large belly, causing inconvenience when moving and sleeping. Many women, especially in the warm season, have swollen legs, arms, fingers. Moms take off their rings, switch to loose shoes, perhaps a size larger. If the swelling is very strong, you should consult a doctor, since such swelling can adversely affect childbirth. Rarely, but it happens that a pregnant woman begins late toxicosis. This indicates violations in the functioning of the body, therefore, it also requires the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. Also, a woman may experience anxiety attacks. They are associated with excitement before the approaching birth and are more characteristic of primiparas. Mothers who already have older children are less prone to anxiety. If the excitement still overtook you, try to calm down and switch your attention to something pleasant and positive. nine0003

What happens to the fetus

At the 36th week, the baby is completely ready for birth, the development of all systems of his body is finally completed. Now he is in the womb of his mother just gaining weight and accumulating subcutaneous fat. At this time, the child weighs an average of 3.1 kg, and his height is about 47 cm. But these are average values. The baby can be small, or it can gain 4 kg and grow up to 55 cm. Everything is individual, depending on the heredity and nutrition of the mother. The baby is no longer too active: the uterus no longer grows, it becomes crowded in it, which limits its movements. The baby's head should already be fixed in the pelvis. However, if this has not happened yet, then you should not worry. The child still has time to take the correct position. With breech and even more so oblique presentation of the fetus, natural delivery is prohibited, since it is too traumatic and dangerous for the mother and baby. nine0003

Recommendations for expectant mothers

Sleep. In the last month of pregnancy, many mothers complain of increased fatigue. They write about this on the forums, they turn to doctors with this question. Drowsiness and feeling tired during this period is completely normal. You need to rest more, gain strength before childbirth. However, sometimes the opposite picture can be observed: due to the active production of the hormone oxytocin, the mother is full of a thirst for activity and moves a lot. This is also normal, the main thing is not to forget about the rest, so that you can approach the birth of the baby fully armed. nine0021 Food. Proper nutrition is one of the keys to a strong and healthy baby. And literally a week before the birth, you should not change it. The menu of a pregnant woman should still contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients, because the female body now needs not only to feed the baby, but also to accumulate strength for subsequent recovery after childbirth. You can not eat allergens, junk food, a lot of sugar and salt. It is recommended to take vitamins for pregnant women, which are prescribed by a doctor. nine0021 Health. It is necessary to take a very responsible approach to your own health during this period. This is not about the well-being of mommy as such, but about possible colds and viral infections. The body is weakened, immunity has fallen, and now you can easily catch any disease. There will be no time to be treated before childbirth, it is impossible to postpone the birth of a baby. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid public places, completely exclude communication with patients, take care of preventive measures.
Preparing for childbirth. By the 36th week, it is recommended to be fully prepared for childbirth. Decorate a nursery, finish important current affairs, pack a bag for the hospital. Sometimes it makes sense to go to the maternity hospital in advance, but this issue must be resolved with the doctor on an individual basis. If you give birth on a paid basis, then you need to constantly be in touch with the doctor who will take care of your birth. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the literature on the course of childbirth, breastfeeding, and the development of children in the first days of life. What to do if you think something is wrong with your child or you? In no case do not panic and contact a doctor or an ambulance team. There is no need to worry that you will disturb the obstetricians of the maternity hospital for "trifles", because of suspiciousness. Some pregnant women are less sensitive and may not experience pain, so frequent checks and careful attention to their own condition can avoid many problems. nine0021 Mood. Stay positive and combative. Be confident in a successful delivery and remember: thoughts are material. You will meet your precious baby very soon!

Changes in mother's body

Stomach. By the 36th embryonic week, the tummy of a pregnant woman has already dropped or is just beginning. However, this is not a mandatory occurrence. There are pregnant women who give birth with a high belly. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body and is considered the norm. The belly continues to grow as the baby is still gaining weight. The skin is still stretching, so if it itches, it's most likely due to stretching. Shortly before childbirth, the uterus may come into tone, which will make it seem that the stomach is turning to stone. This is also considered normal. nine0021 Pain. Many mothers are concerned about pain in the lower abdomen. They are caused by fetal pressure on the spine and internal organs, stretching of the muscles before childbirth, and separation of the pelvic bones. The sensations are pulling, aching, and their presence should not bother you. However, if there is no pain, this does not mean at all that your body is not preparing for childbirth. As in the case of abdominal prolapse, pain is a purely individual phenomenon for each woman. It's okay. But if the movements of the baby are accompanied by pain, this is a serious reason to immediately contact the maternity hospital, since this may indicate oligohydramnios, which is caused by the aging of the placenta or its abruption. nine0021 Contractions. Uterine contractions at 36 weeks pregnant are completely normal. Training fights at this time are already rare, although their appearance is not excluded. If you have uterine contractions, you must definitely monitor their duration, frequency and intervals between them. Labor pains are regular, and over time their duration increases, and the periods between them are reduced. In this case, you should immediately go to the maternity hospital. Especially attentive to the appearance of contractions should be treated by those women who are going to give birth again. As a rule, the duration of labor for the second and subsequent times is reduced, even a rapid delivery is possible, when literally one hour passes from the first contraction of the uterus to the birth of a baby. nine0021 Weight. Weight gain at 36 weeks is usually in the order of 10-15 kg. In the last days of pregnancy, body weight should be monitored with particular care, because swelling and sudden weight gain can complicate childbirth. Also, a week before the birth of the baby, a decrease in weight (up to 1–1.5 kg) can be observed. Such a decrease is one of the harbingers of childbirth.
Allocations. It is also necessary to control the selection. In the last weeks of the term, they become more abundant, but normally they should be transparent or light milky in color, and also odorless or slightly sour. If the discharge has become yellow, green, white curdled, then you should consult a doctor, since such changes indicate an infection. It is necessary to immediately go to the hospital in case of blood discharge. Usually they indicate placental abruption. You need to watch their consistency. If the discharge is watery, this may indicate that amniotic fluid is leaking. nine0003

Movements

At this time, the baby can already calm down for quite significant periods of time. Normally, the number of movements per day should be about 10. The rest of the time the child gains strength before childbirth. Before birth, the baby can calm down completely, which often scares mothers. If this happened and there are other harbingers of close childbirth, then you should be ready to go to the maternity hospital at any time. If nothing indicates the imminent appearance of the baby, you should immediately consult a doctor to assess the condition of the child. nine0003

Childbirth

Starting from the 36th embryonic (38th obstetric) week, the child is considered fully term. Childbirth at this time is natural, and the baby is given to the mother a few hours after birth (provided that the baby is healthy and there is no medical intervention). If the delivery will take place by caesarean section, then the child will be brought to the mother the next day after the birth, as soon as the mother is transferred from intensive care to a regular ward (again, provided there are no complications in both the mother and the child). nine0003

Signs of childbirth

Harbingers of labor include:
• discharge of the mucous plug,
• prolapse of the abdomen,
• pain in the lower abdomen,
• increased uterine tone,
• a sharp decrease in baby movements,
• weight loss while maintaining the diet,
• uncontrolled diarrhea,
• contractions recurring after a certain period,
• rupture of amniotic fluid. nine0021 It is important to remember that the last two points are not even signs of the approach of childbirth, but their beginning. In this case, you need to urgently call an ambulance team and go to the hospital to give birth.

Intimate life

Sex at this time should be approached with caution. On the one hand, the birth canal is now extremely vulnerable to infections and should be protected. On the other hand, orgasms prepare the uterus for childbirth, stimulating it, and bring pleasure and good mood to the mother, which have a beneficial effect on the baby. Therefore, if there is no categorical prohibition from the doctor, it depends on the decision of the woman herself to continue or stop intimate life. nine0003

Examinations

If labor has not started yet, mommy is looking forward to an exciting hour at home. At appointments at the antenatal clinic, the doctor still measures the size of the abdomen, notes the weight of the pregnant woman, and checks her pressure. Of the analyzes, KLA and OAM are prescribed if there are no complaints about the changed discharge and suspicion of infection. Ultrasound is done only if there are suspicions of any abnormalities: placental abruption, its premature aging, etc.

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36 weeks of pregnancy what happens to the fetus

During this period, the fetus begins direct preparation for the moment of birth and adaptation to the next period of life. In a woman, this period is different in that she can start giving birth at any time. For the first births, as a rule, the onset is likely to occur at a later period, after thirty-eight weeks. nine0003

During this period, a pregnant woman begins the last month of pregnancy, so this is the beginning of a very serious period for her. Since normally, childbirth can begin in a pregnant woman from the thirty-seventh to forty-second weeks, there are only a few days or weeks left before the onset of labor, so it is necessary to plan the place where the birth will take place, it makes sense to get acquainted with a specialist who will deal with childbirth.

Since the unborn child is large and it is quite crowded in the uterus, he moves less often. But there should be at least ten movements in twelve hours of observation. Supervision by a specialist is especially important in breech presentation of the fetus. nine0003

Since labor can begin at any time, it is advisable that the woman has all the necessary things for childbirth.

During this period, a woman's belly is so large that she can hardly find comfortable positions for sleeping and resting. She often has back pain. Fetal movements can be perceived as very strong blows to the lower abdomen, to the liver or under the ribs. A woman may feel that her stomach is sinking, after which, subjectively, it becomes easier for her to breathe. This may be a harbinger of a very early onset of labor. After a pregnant woman's stomach sank, most often she disappears the unpleasant sensation that haunted her during pregnancy - heartburn. During this period, frequent lack of sleep begins, as it can be difficult for a woman to find a comfortable position for sleeping. At night, frequent urges to the toilet may disturb. nine0003

The weight of the unborn child during this period is usually 2600-2800 g. If this figure is higher, the expectant mother should pay attention to the diet.

It should be borne in mind that during the period of the thirty-sixth week, labor can begin and they can end with the birth of a completely healthy baby. In order for multiparous people to understand that they are starting labor, one should pay attention to the harbingers of this event for multiparous women.

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