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You’re 36 weeks pregnant, and baby is likely getting in place for delivery! Here’s what is going on as little one prepares for their grand entrance.
How Big is Baby?
Can you believe how much your peanut has grown? This week, baby is around 18 ½ inches long.
What’s New with Baby?
Most babies are head-down by this week. If baby remains breech—it occurs in less than 5% of full-term pregnancies—at 36 weeks and beyond, your provider may offer External Cephalic Version to turn the baby from a breech to a head down position. If you’re not a candidate (not everyone is) or simply not interested in that procedure, breech babies are delivered by C-section.
What’s New with Mom?
You’re still likely feeling the “normal discomforts of pregnancy,” along with Braxton Hicks, and “you may also find that your breasts are enlarging and may feel full,” says Dr. Shivani Patel, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UT Southwestern. “At this point you are seeing your doctor every week as they monitor for labor and complications, such as preeclampsia, that can occur late in the pregnancy.”
Shivani Patel, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in maternal-fetal consults and cares for women with high-risk pregnancies, babies with health issues that are detected in utero, and complications that arise during pregnancy itself.
Fun Fact
At 36 weeks, baby moves from the upper portion of the uterus and settles into the pelvis in preparation for delivery. “When this happens, you may notice your baby bump is not as prominent and that it has ‘dropped’ to the lower part of your abdomen,” Patel says. Once this happens, you may start to breathe easier since there’s less upward pressure on your diaphragm. Phew!
All About Breastfeeding
We know there’s always a debate around breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. While breastfeeding is a great way to meet baby’s changing nutritional needs (its ratio of proteins and fats changes week to week) and bond with your little love, “it’s important to consider your medical needs when making this decision,” Patel says. “If you have any medical conditions or are on any medications, it is important to discuss the safety of breastfeeding with your doctor.”
If breastfeeding is your goal, there are a few things you should do now to prepare, Mom.
Take a class or talk to a lactation consultant to understand how the process works before the time arrives. “Breastfeeding can be rewarding, but also frustrating for many women, so the more you know the better the process will be,” Patel says.
It’s also a good idea to get yourself a breast pump before delivery so that you have it in case you need it. In fact, most insurance companies will cover a breast pump to some degree.
To get the best start possible, Patel suggests new moms start breastfeeding within the first few hours after birth. “We encourage skin-to-skin immediately after birth for the first one to two hours. This has been shown to help a woman’s milk come in and increase rates of breastfeeding,” she says.
If you do end up struggling with your supply, Patel has some tips to keep in mind:
• Make sure you eat and drink enough; both are necessary for supply. “You need 500 calories a day just for breastfeeding, and I encourage all women to drink 8-10 ounces of water every time they breastfeed or pump—it’s the easiest way to remember to stay hydrated,” she says.
• Consider drinking a glass of fenugreek tea each day; it’s another great way to tackle low supply.
• Make sure you breastfeed or pump every three hours in order to stimulate production.
• Find ways to reduce your stress and get enough rest. Exhaustion is one of the most common breast-feeding issues moms face, and stress can diminish your milk production.
Another common concern is breast and nipple pain. “Make sure you do not have an infection such as mastitis, and then consider working with a lactation consultant to ensure your baby is latching correctly, to discuss nipple shields, and to make sure your pump flanges are appropriately sized,” Patel advises.
But most importantly, remember to be patient with yourself and the process. “It’s very normal to struggle with breastfeeding,” Patel says. In fact, it’s very common for new moms to have difficulty with breastfeeding, so don’t give up quickly. “Be patient and talk to your doctor. We are here to help you.”
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild contributor Katelin Walling with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
