36 weeks pregnant

Your baby's lungs are now fully formed and ready for their first breath after birth. They're making plenty of surfactant, which keeps the tiny air sacs open.

How big is my baby at 36 weeks?

At 36 weeks your baby is about the size of a head of romaine lettuce, around 47.3 cm long and 2.75 kg. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.

What is my baby doing at 36 weeks?

• Your baby's lungs are now fully formed and ready for their first breath after birth.
• They're making plenty of surfactant, which keeps the tiny air sacs open.
• Babies born from now can often breathe and suckle at the same time.
• The digestive system is ready for breast milk.

What changes for me at 36 weeks pregnant?

• By now your baby's head should be facing down in your womb.
• You may feel more pressure low in your pelvis.
• Nesting, the urge to tidy and get things ready, is common.

What is a good tip for this week?

Enjoy the nesting but don't overdo it and keep resting whenever you can.

What can a partner do this week?

Get the car seat ready and practise fitting it so the trip home goes smoothly.

What should I know in Ireland at 36 weeks?

• At around 36 weeks your midwife will talk with you about your wishes for the birth.
• If your baby is bottom first (breech), you may be offered a procedure where an obstetrician gently presses on your tummy to help your baby turn.
• If your baby is still breech after 36 weeks, they will need a hip scan after birth.

Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.