Pregnancy Week 36 - Baby Is Nearly Full Term & Gumming

At 36 weeks, your baby is considered early term. The gums are becoming rigid, preparing for feeding after birth. Most of the vernix and lanugo have shed, though some may remain in skin creases at birth. Your baby is gaining about an ounce per day, mostly as fat. The skull bones are not yet fused — they will overlap during birth to fit through the birth canal. The baby is continuing to practice breathing, and the lungs are producing plenty of surfactant. Your baby's cheeks are getting chubby from sucking practice.

Your healthcare visits are now weekly. Your provider may check your cervix for effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening). You may be feeling more pressure in your pelvis as the baby drops lower. Some women experience a burst of energy called "nesting," where they feel compelled to clean and organize. You might be experiencing more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. Your belly may look lower as the baby engages in the pelvis. You could lose your mucous plug anytime now.