Pregnancy Week 36 vs Week 37
Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks
📊
Time Difference
1 week apart
🔄
Trimester
Both in 3rd trimester
Baby Size Comparison
Growth Progress
Week 36Romaine lettuce
Week 37Swiss chard
Your baby is approximately 91% through pregnancy
Week 36
📏
Length
18.7 inches
⚖️
Weight
5.8 pounds
🍎
Size Comparison
Romaine lettuce
Week 37
📏
Length
19.1 inches
⚖️
Weight
6.3 pounds
🍎
Size Comparison
Swiss chard
What Changes Between Week 36 and 37?
👶New Baby Developments
- ✓Baby is officially full term - congratulations!
- ✓Baby practices breathing movements and strong sucking for feeding
- ✓Baby can grasp firmly with strong grip reflex
- ✓All organs can function independently without medical support
- ✓Lanugo is mostly or completely gone
🤰New or Changing Symptoms
- ✓Mix of excitement and nervousness about meeting baby
- ✓Very strong nesting instinct with urges to clean and organize
- ✓Possible loss of mucus plug (bloody show)
- ✓Increased vaginal discharge
- ✓More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks
📈Key Changes Summary
Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.
Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.
Baby Development Milestones
Week 36 Development
- •Baby is gaining approximately one ounce per day now
- •Skin is becoming smooth and losing wrinkles as fat fills out
- •Gums are rigid and strong
- •Circulatory and immune systems are complete and functioning
- •Baby is officially considered "early term" at 37 weeks
- •Most lanugo has disappeared
Week 37 Development
- •Baby is officially full term - congratulations!
- •Baby practices breathing movements and strong sucking for feeding
- •Baby can grasp firmly with strong grip reflex
- •All organs can function independently without medical support
- •Lanugo is mostly or completely gone
- •Baby is continuing to gain weight and add fat layers
Common Symptoms
Week 36 Symptoms
- •Significantly increased Braxton Hicks contractions that may take your breath away
- •Pelvic pressure intensifies as baby descends into birth position
- •Possible "lightning" - sudden dropping of baby into pelvis
- •Even more frequent bathroom trips, possibly every hour
- •Difficulty walking and waddling gait
- •Possible loss of mucus plug (can regenerate)
Week 37 Symptoms
- •Mix of excitement and nervousness about meeting baby
- •Very strong nesting instinct with urges to clean and organize
- •Possible loss of mucus plug (bloody show)
- •Increased vaginal discharge
- •More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks
- •Extreme physical discomfort
Nutrition Tips
Week 36 Nutrition
- •Eat foods rich in vitamin K (90-120 mcg daily) for blood clotting during delivery
- •Include iron-rich foods to prevent postpartum anemia
- •Stay hydrated despite constant urination
- •Eat small, frequent, easily digestible meals
- •Include foods rich in vitamin C
- •Focus on protein for tissue repair
Week 37 Nutrition
- •Continue healthy, balanced eating
- •Stay hydrated with plenty of water
- •Eat energy-boosting foods like complex carbs, proteins, and healthy fats
- •Include fiber to prevent constipation
- •Eat small, frequent meals
- •Consider eating dates if planning vaginal delivery
⚕️When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
During weeks 36 to 37, contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- •Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- •Heavy bleeding or passing clots
- •Severe headache with vision changes
- •Persistent fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- •Sudden swelling of hands, face, or feet
- •Decreased fetal movement