Pregnancy 36-40 Weeks
Your Baby:
- Eyes are dark
- Organs are maturing
- Baby will be able to breathe on its own after birth
- Head is in a down position and may be moving down into the pelvis
- Approximately one quart of amniotic fluid surrounds the baby
- Weight is approximately 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 lbs. and is approximately 20 inches long
Your Body:
- You may feel extremely fatigued
- You may have pressure in the lower pelvis
- Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent (false labor)
- Lightening occurs (when the baby drops down into the pelvis)
- You may become quite uncomfortable and irritable
Office Visits Include:
- Blood pressure and weight check
- Urine dip
- Fundal height
- Listening to fetal heart tones
- Cervical check for dilation, thinning and position start between 36 and 40 weeks
- If Group B Strep culture was not obtained at 35 weeks, obtain Group B Beta Strep culture (GBBS)
- Review signs of labor
- Schedule any necessary procedures, testing and/or delivery options
If you are in labor and it is after business hours, please call a WomanCare office that you visit and the physician on call will be notified.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately.
This publication is intended as a reference only and not as medical advice. The information that is provided herein is designed to help inform you with regard to your pregnancy. Your health care provider does not intend it to be used as a substitute for treatment, advice or recommendations.
