Welcome to Week 36 of the MamasteFit pregnancy journey! As you approach the final stretch of your pregnancy, you might be feeling a mix of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation. This week, we’re diving into what’s happening with your baby, what changes you might be experiencing, and how I’m personally navigating this stage of my pregnancy with baby number four.
Baby’s Development at 36 Weeks
At 36 weeks, your baby is almost fully developed and considered “late preterm.” Although they are nearly ready for life outside the womb, they might still need a bit more monitoring if born at this stage. Babies born at 36 weeks often stay in the hospital a little longer to ensure they’re gaining weight, maintaining blood sugar levels, and regulating their temperature properly.
Your baby’s lungs are nearly fully developed, which is crucial for their ability to breathe on their own once they’re born. Their blood circulation has also transitioned to support life outside the womb. Interestingly, the lanugo (the fine hair covering your baby’s body) and vernix (the waxy coating that protects their skin) are starting to shed, contributing to the formation of meconium, your baby’s first bowel movement.
As your baby descends further into your pelvis, you might start to feel more pelvic pressure, possibly leading to the well-known “pregnancy waddle.” But remember, engagement doesn’t necessarily mean labor is imminent.
Instructors
ROXANNE
This course breaks down what to expect postpartum from the moment your baby is born to the first few weeks postpartum! Learn what options you have available to you in your care!
- 2h+ of Video
- On Mobile
- Webinar
Your Body’s Changes at 36 Weeks
At this stage, you might notice an increase in vaginal discharge. This is normal, but it can be confusing because it might feel similar to amniotic fluid if your water has broken. A good way to differentiate is by wearing a pad and noting if it becomes soaked within a short period. Additionally, you might start losing your mucus plug, which can be an early sign of labor, though it doesn’t guarantee that labor is imminent.
It’s also common to feel more aches and pains as your baby engages deeper into your pelvis. For me, the pressure has been significant, and I’ve found relief through exercises like pelvic tilts and inversions, which help alleviate some of the discomfort.
The forward leaning inversion is included in the MamasteFit Birth Prep Circuit! This circuit focuses on releasing common areas of prenatal tension to make it easier for you to open your pelvis for birth. Plus it helps to support your baby’s position for birth! You can grab the free PDF guide by signing up for our newsletter!
My Personal Experience at 36 Weeks
As I reach the 36th week of my pregnancy, I find myself in a peculiar state of anticipation and preparation. This week marks a significant milestone—so close to the finish line, yet still feeling like there’s so much time left. I wanted to share what’s been going on with me as I navigate this final stretch with baby number four.
The Weight of Waiting
This week, I’ve been acutely aware of how close I am to meeting my little one. There’s a unique blend of excitement and anxiety that comes with being this far along. Although I don’t expect to go into labor before 41 weeks, there’s always that thought in the back of my mind: “What if it happens sooner?” This uncertainty has made me feel like I’m in a bit of a limbo, where each day could be “the day,” but probably isn’t.
Final Preparations
By Week 36, I like to have everything ready. All of our postpartum essentials have been set up, the baby’s gear is prepared, and my bedside table is stocked with everything I need to support breastfeeding. This level of preparation gives me a small sense of control in what feels like an uncontrollable time. With everything in place, I’m now trying to relax and enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy—though “relax” might be a strong word for me. I don’t relax very well!
Iron Levels: A Significant Improvement
A big win this week was finding out that my iron levels have significantly improved. At 28 weeks, I was borderline anemic, with levels low enough to cause concern. I started taking Needed’s iron supplements (use code MAMASTEFIT for 20% off your first order), following their dosage recommendations based on my ferritin levels. Now, my levels have doubled, which has made a noticeable difference in how I feel. I’m less anxious and sleeping better, which is a huge relief. I’m still taking the supplements, though I’ve been able to reduce the dosage slightly. My goal is to maintain these improved levels through the birth and into postpartum, especially since blood loss during delivery can impact iron levels.
Dealing with Pelvic Pressure
This week, I’ve really started to feel the effects of my baby’s descent into my pelvis. The pelvic pressure has been intense, sometimes making it uncomfortable to move. I’ve officially adopted the “pregnancy waddle,” which I’ve been trying to mitigate with exercises like pelvic tilts and inversions. These movements help relieve some of the discomfort by shifting the pressure off my pelvis.
I’ve been filming the mobility routines I’ve been doing to prep my pelvic floor for birth in our pelvic floor prep for birth course too!
Another lifesaver has been spending time in the pool. The buoyancy of the water reduces the gravitational pull on my body, giving me some much-needed relief. I’ve also been using magnesium lotion to soothe my sore legs, and so far, I’ve managed to avoid the dreaded charley horses that plagued me in previous pregnancies.
This course explore your pelvic floor anatomy, function, and how to prepare your pelvic floor for birth! This course includes educational videos, mobility exercises, relaxation drills, and how to relax your pelvic floor during labor tips.
- 2h+ of Video
- Mobility Flows
- Lifetime Access
Sleep: A Surprising Improvement
Despite the discomfort and frequent nighttime wake-ups, my sleep has surprisingly improved this week. I think a big part of that is simply having everything ready and feeling more prepared. With fewer loose ends to worry about, I’m able to rest a bit easier—though I’m still waking up at least once a night. The magnesium lotion might also be playing a role in helping me relax and get more restful sleep.
Looking Ahead
As I move closer to the full-term mark, the anticipation grows. There’s a part of me that’s trying to savor these last few weeks of pregnancy, knowing that this might be my last time experiencing it. But there’s also a part of me that’s just ready to meet this baby and move on to the next chapter. It’s a delicate balance between embracing the present and eagerly awaiting the future.
In the meantime, I’m trying to stay focused on self-care and enjoying the time I have left before our family grows by one more. Week 37 is just around the corner, and with it, the realization that labor could begin any day now. It’s both thrilling and nerve-wracking, but I know that whenever it happens, we’re as ready as we can be.
Preparing for the Final Weeks
As we near the end of pregnancy, it’s essential to start thinking about postpartum preparation. This is something that often gets overlooked, but it’s just as important as preparing for birth. We offer a newborn and postpartum preparation course that can help you get ready for this challenging yet rewarding period.
Finally, if you’re still looking for support during these last few weeks, our online prenatal fitness programs are perfect for staying active and preparing your body for labor. We also offer a condensed childbirth education course that covers crucial topics like pushing mechanics, labor positions, and ways to reduce the risk of tearing during childbirth.
As you prepare for these final weeks, remember to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. The anticipation of meeting your little one can be overwhelming, but having a plan and support system in place can make all the difference.
Conclusion
Every pregnancy is unique, and Week 36 can bring its own set of experiences and challenges. It’s essential to listen to your body, take care of your mental and physical health, and prepare for the exciting changes ahead.
If you’re looking for more support during your pregnancy, consider exploring our online prenatal fitness programs and childbirth education courses. You can bundle these for additional savings!
Prenatal Support Courses
Learn the science of pregnancy and birth to take the mystery of labor away! Understand why you are feeling what you feel, and learn strategies to confidently move through pregnancy and birth!
- 9h+ of Video
- Support Group
- Close Captioning
- 5 Workouts/Week
- Gym Workouts
- Self-Paced
Instructor
GINA
Workout on-demand with our prenatal fitness workout videos! Each workout is 30-40 minutes to follow along as you exercise at the same time!
- Birth Prep
- All Trimesters
- Mobility Work
Instructor
GINA
Find comfort and relief from pelvic girdle pain throughout your pregnancy and postpartum period! This program incorporates myofascial sling focused exercises to stabilize across the pelvic girdle joints.
- 3 Weeks
- On Demand Workout Videos to Follow