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Picture and Explanation of How Your Baby is Growing and Developing at 36 Weeks Pregnant
By
the end of the 36th week of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus almost fills
the abdominal cavity, despite the fact that the cavity is greatly
expanded by the stretching of its front and side walls. The
well-developed, plump baby, in the membranous sac within the uterus,
lies wholly within the abdominal cavity, with the abdominal muscles
supporting much of its weight. During this week, the fundus is at the
tip of the xiphoid cartilage of the breastbone, which is shown pushed
forward. The liver, transverse colon, stomach, and spleen (which is
behind the upper portion of the stomach) are crowded into the vault of
the abdominal cavity. The small intestines are crowded above, behind,
and to the sides of the uterus. The diaphragm is pressed upward,
reducing the vertical diameter of the chest cavity sometimes as much as
4 centimeters; to compensate, the space on the side, front, and back of
this cavity increases. The capacity of the chest cavity is not
diminished. This displacement of the diaphragm changes the position of
the heart, and the increased blood volume may cause the heart to dilate
slightly.
Although there is an increase in the amount of blood pumped from the
heart per minute and in the amount of air respired per minute, the
change in the position of the heart and the upward pressure of the
diaphragm probably account for the difficult breathing and the
smothered feeling you may experience during this week. The crowding of
the stomach and intestines contributes to the discomfort after eating.
The cervix is long, thick, and filled with the mucous plug. By the 36th
week, the vagina and urethra are elongated and all the tissues in the
perineal region are enlarged, so the swollen perineum projects beyond
the pelvic outlet in the last weeks of pregnancy, and is readily
expandable during labor.
This picture is sold as part of a set of 7 charts in the Growing Uterus Charts available in our Bookstore. To buy the set, click here for more details.
Most recent page update: 11/7/2007
© 2010 Childbirth Connection. All rights reserved.
Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality of maternity care through research, education, advocacy and policy. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families.
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News and Features
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Learn about Transforming Maternity Care project 
Read the "2020 Vision"
Read the "Blueprint for Action"
Read the Consumer Workgroup report
Help implement Blueprint recommendations
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Maternity Care Fact Sheet Available
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Get the fact sheet
Read Evidence-Based Maternity Care
US Cochrane Center (USCC)/Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE)
Visit the USCC/CUE website for the latest pregnancy and childbirth systematic reviews.
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Read the press release (PDF)
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Learn about symposium, next steps 
See 90 years of milestones for women and families (PDF)
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Learn more about award winner
Maternity Care Priorities in Health Care Reform
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Read the statement (PDF)
Evidence-Based Maternity Care Report Released
A major new report takes stock of the U.S. maternity care system and finds great opportunities for improvement. Childbirth Connection collaborated with the Reforming States Group and the Milbank Memorial Fund to develop the report.
Learn more, get the report
Read companion USA Today article
Read the USA Today article
Read the Consumer Reports story
Take the Consumer Reports quiz
Read Our Bodies Our Blog entry
Help Transform Maternity Care! Please join our efforts to make quality maternity care a top national priority. Your support will help make the transformation possible. View 2009 Supporter Roster
New Mothers Speak Out National Report ReleasedThe latest report in Childbirth Connection's Listening to Mothers series is now available. Get an eye-opening look at the reality of life as a mother of young children in the United States, based on national surveys conducted by Harris Interactive. Learn more, get the report Read the Wall Street Journal story and listen to the podcast Download Quick Facts (PDF)
"My biggest piece of advice to a mother that is pregnant for the first time is: feel comfortable with your doctor or midwife. And it's definitely ok to change, even at the last minute!"
-Listening to Mothers® survey participant
Every woman has the right to decide collaboratively with caregivers when she and her baby will leave the birth site for home, based on their condition and circumstances.
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