Week 36

In the final weeks of pregnancy, your baby will now be positioning themselves further down into the pelvis ready for labour, this process is referred to as engagement. As they move further down, this puts additional pressure on the cervix and the surrounding nerves. This can cause some sharp vaginal or pelvic pain known as lightening crotch.^1,2

Symptoms of lightening crotch include:²

• Short, sharp vaginal or pelvic pain
• Stinging or pins-and-needles sensation in the pelvic and/or vaginal area
• Short and intense pelvic pain (that does not increase in frequency or duration)

You can relieve the pain by changing positions to take the pressure off certain nerves, or there are pregnancy support belts that can help support the weight of your bump to minimise pelvic load.²

• Back aches and sciatica³
• Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome⁴
• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Insomnia
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Frequent urination
• Oedema (swelling)
• Colostrum (precursor fluid to breast milk)⁵
• Vaginal discharge (with or without spotting)
• Foetal movement

With 4 weeks to go, your baby will not get much longer, measuring around 46–48 cm and weighing approximately 2.7 kg.¹

All the hair your baby developed over the last few months called lanugo starts to shed ready for birth.⁶ Additionally, although the skeletal bone structure has developed, their bones and ligaments remain soft as this allows your baby to manoeuvre through the birth canal more easily.¹

• Try to remember your prenatal vitamins^7,8
• Staying active and keeping a healthy weight can help support overall health⁹
• Try to avoid alcohol consumption and smoking^10,11
• Nourish your body with pregnancy-safe foods. Try to avoid foods high in mercury, such as mackerel and tuna, raw seafood, undercooked meat, poultry and eggs, unpasteurised foods and cheese with a mould rind such as brie, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and any type of herbal tea¹²
• Ensure any meat, fish or poultry is fully cooked through¹³
• Limit caffeine consumption to no more than 200 mg per day¹⁴
• If you are between 32–36 weeks gestation in November to January, you will be eligible for a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This vaccine helps to protect your baby in their first 6 months after being born from severe respiratory disease associated with RSV¹
• Count the kicks¹⁵
• Be aware of the main symptoms of pre-eclampsia. These include:¹⁶