Illustration of a baby at week 36 inside the womb in cross-section, with the placenta and umbilical cord — Womb in cross-section, enlarged to show detail. Not true size. Most babies are head-down by about 36 weeks.

Third trimester, week 36

36 weeks pregnant: Dropping into position

Size of a: Papaya (large)
Length: 47.4 cm head to heel
Weight: 2.7 kg WHO median
Heart rate: 110–160 bpm typical range
Due date: 28 days away 90% of the way

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Checked against the sources listed on this page. Not reviewed by a clinician. Last updated 5 November 2026. How we check.

At 36 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a large papaya: roughly 47.4 cm from head to heel, weighing about 2.7 kg. You’re in your third trimester, with about 4 weeks to go until your due date.

Your baby this week

The baby is often settling lower into your pelvis. This is called lightening or engagement.
Most of the lanugo has gone, and the gut is filled with meconium.
The sucking reflex is strong, ready for feeding.

Your body this week

Check-ups are often weekly from now in the US. In the UK they are usually at 36, 38 and 40 weeks. The baby’s position is checked, and ECV may be offered if they are breech.
Breathing may ease after the baby drops, while pelvic pressure increases.
“Nesting”, a sudden urge to clean and prepare, is common.

Typical weight gain so far: 9.9–14 kg
Your uterus: Fundal height ≈ 36 cm (±2 cm)

Weight gain range is for a pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5–24.9 (IOM guideline). Your provider may advise differently.

What happens at the 36-week appointment

Your midwife will feel your bump to check the baby’s position, measure the bump, and check your blood pressure and urine. They’ll also ask about movements and your mood, and talk you through getting ready for birth. In the US, this is also usually when you’re offered the Group B strep swab.

If your baby is breech at 36 weeks

About 3 to 4 in 100 babies are still bottom-first or feet-first at the end of pregnancy. If yours is, you’ll usually be offered external cephalic version (ECV), where a doctor applies pressure on your belly to help the baby turn. It can be uncomfortable, but it is considered safe.

ACOG says more than half of attempts succeed. UK figures are around half, a little less for first babies and more for later ones, and rates vary by hospital, so ask about yours. Most babies stay head-down afterwards, though some turn back.

If the baby stays breech, you’ll discuss a vaginal birth or a caesarean with your team. In the US, most breech babies are born by planned caesarean. A vaginal breech birth isn’t advised in some situations, such as when the baby is feet-first, is a very large or small size, or you have pre-eclampsia or a low-lying placenta.

If your baby is lying sideways

This is called a transverse lie. You may be offered a manual turn, and sometimes a stay in hospital, because there’s a risk of the cord slipping down if your waters break. If the baby is still sideways near your due date or when labour starts, a caesarean is likely to be advised.

Scans, tests and checkups

This week

Know your baby’s movements Self-care
Get to know your baby’s pattern. If movements slow down, change or stop, contact your maternity unit straight away. Don’t wait until the next day.
This week

Whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine Vaccine
Antibodies pass to the baby and protect them in their first weeks. The US recommends 27–36 weeks. The NHS offers it from 16 weeks, usually around 20, and ideally before 32.
This week

RSV vaccine Vaccine
Protects newborns from RSV, a serious lung infection. The US gives it at 32–36 weeks in RSV season. The UK offers it from 28 weeks. Check local guidance.
This week

Group B strep swab Self-care
A vaginal and rectal swab. If positive, antibiotics are given during labour. Routine in the US. The UK doesn’t screen routinely.
This week

Baby’s position check Checkup
Checks whether the baby is head-down. If they are breech, turning the baby from the outside (ECV) may be offered.
This week

Weekly checkups Checkup
Blood pressure, urine, growth, position and movements, plus planning for labour. Often weekly in the US. The NHS schedule is usually 36, 38 and 40 weeks.
From week 39

Membrane sweep & post-dates plan Checkup
A membrane sweep may be offered. If labour doesn’t start, induction is usually offered between 41 and 42 weeks.

See the full scan and test timeline

Real size, next to an adult hand

Adult hand 18.5 cmbaby 32.2 cm curled up

Growth curve

Typical weight by week: WHO median from week 20, approximate before that. Healthy babies vary widely.

When to call your midwife or doctor at 36 weeks

Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away, day or night, if you have any of these:

A change in your baby’s usual pattern of movement. Call straight away rather than waiting until the next day.
Vaginal bleeding, or a gush or steady trickle of fluid.
Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away.
A severe headache, vision changes, pain under your ribs, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet. These can be signs of pre-eclampsia.
Regular tightenings, period-like cramps or lower back pressure that keep coming. This could be early labour.
Intense itching, especially on your hands and feet, which can be a sign of a liver condition called cholestasis.
Fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher, or pain or burning when you pee.
Pain or swelling in one leg, chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath. These can be signs of a blood clot.
Feeling very low, hopeless or anxious most days. If you feel you might harm yourself, get emergency help.

Based on NHS and ACOG guidance. This list isn’t complete. If something feels wrong, call anyway. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Tip for this week

Save your maternity unit’s number in your phone, and plan how you’ll get there, day or night.

Common questions at this stage

All common questions

Questions people ask about week 36

What happens if the baby is breech at 36 weeks?

Your provider may offer external cephalic version (ECV), where they gently turn the baby from the outside. It works in about half of cases. Otherwise, the options for birth will be discussed with you.

What does “baby has dropped” mean?

The baby’s head moves down into the pelvis. In first pregnancies this often happens a few weeks before labour, but in later pregnancies it may not happen until labour starts.

References

Advice differs between countries, so follow your own care team’s plan. Weights from week 20 are the WHO median, and earlier weights are approximate. How we check this.