And so the 36th week pulls on. You cannot fathom how big you've gotten and every time you stand in front of the mirror, it seems like the belly has gotten bigger. While the due date is almost there but yet a few weeks away, and you're counting the days till it happens, you suddenly begin to experience cramping in the stomach. What could that be you wonder? Throughout your pregnancy, there have been those signs of common health conditions like nausea, backache and morning sickness that afflict a pregnant woman. But this cramping has been around for quite a while and it won't go. That is starting to worry you a little. What could cramping at 36 weeks mean? Is there a connection between 36 weeks pregnant and cramping? And if so, what is it. We understand that you must want to know what exactly is going on with you and that is what this article will deal with. Continue reading for more details on the phenomenon of '36 weeks pregnant and cramping'.
36 Weeks Pregnant and Cramping - What Does it Indicate?
Let's take the pressure off right in the beginning. It is perfectly normal for you to be cramping at 36 weeks. It's your body's way of preparing you for the impending labor. Of the things like 'what exactly does the body do to make this happen', we will get to later. For now, let's understand what is going on with the body in the 36th week of pregnancy. This will help you deal with the condition better.
36 Weeks Pregnant - Symptoms
Here are some of the things that are going on with your body when it reaches the 36th week of pregnancy:
* The baby has fully developed at this stage and the body will start preparing itself for labor.
* The baby moves lower in your abdomen and towards the birth canal. As the due date approaches, the body will push the baby downward.
* There will be an overall discomfort and a feeling of being full and bloated, because the baby will press against the abdomen and stomach lining. Result? You might find it difficult to eat a full meal.
* The tendency to urinate all the time will be felt. This is because the baby has been pushed lower and is now pressing against the bladder. This results in the increase of pressure on the bladder.
* Cramps will be felt, either as a dull ache that come and go, or as something that lasts for a long time. It is this phenomenon that we will be studying in more detail in the following section.
36 Weeks Pregnant and Cramping - What it Means
These cramps will resemble the menstrual cramps that most women suffer from during their monthly cycles. Given the proximity of the cramping to the due date, it comes as no surprise that most women will mistake this for going into labor. While that is a very rare possibility, it is one nonetheless. Thus getting oneself checked by one's gynecologist is always recommended to rule out a premature labor and birth.
In most cases though, cramping during the 36th week of pregnancy is not an indication of going into early labor, it is on the other hand, caused because the body is going through certain changes in preparation of the labor. What are these changes?
The dilation of the lower section of the uterus, for one. The lower portion of the uterus will thin out so that the baby can pass through easily. Sometimes, diarrhea could also accompany the cramping, which is normal. Unless it is severe and chronic and stretches over 2 - 3 days, in which case, you should consult your gynecologist.
If these cramps are coming and going at regular intervals and are rhythmic, then it could be an indication of Braxton Hicks Contractions. These are not the real thing, though they resemble real labor so much that most think that they have gone into early labor. Be in constant touch with your gynecologist and let her know what you're going through. Sometimes a check up might be necessary to rule this doubt out. Again, this is just the body's way of preparing itself for labor.
Sometimes, women will experience a phenomenon that is known as bloody show. This is a term used to describe the falling off of the mucus plug. A mucus plug is a small plug that is made of the substance that mucus is made of and is located at the base of the amniotic sac. It blocks the entry to the cervix. In that way it is supposed to keep the baby safe from any harm. Sometimes after the 36th week, most women lose their mucus plug. While some might not even realize when their mucus plug falls off, others might experience varying degrees of pain and cramping while this happens.
36 weeks pregnant and cramping at night? It could simply be because of the position that you've assumed. Sometimes a position (and this depends on each individual woman) that has been assumed will add pressure to the back or the stomach and lead to cramping. Though this is in no way a monopoly of the night, the cramps could come about while you're taking a nap during the day as well.
In most cases, these cramps will come and go on their own and one can employ certain home remedies like sipping on warm water, using a warm water bag or sleeping with your legs elevated to relieve the pain from cramping. The cramping is after all a good indication for you to be prepared for bringing the baby home soon, soon.
36 Weeks Pregnant and Cramping - What Does it Indicate?
Let's take the pressure off right in the beginning. It is perfectly normal for you to be cramping at 36 weeks. It's your body's way of preparing you for the impending labor. Of the things like 'what exactly does the body do to make this happen', we will get to later. For now, let's understand what is going on with the body in the 36th week of pregnancy. This will help you deal with the condition better.
36 Weeks Pregnant - Symptoms
Here are some of the things that are going on with your body when it reaches the 36th week of pregnancy:
* The baby has fully developed at this stage and the body will start preparing itself for labor.
* The baby moves lower in your abdomen and towards the birth canal. As the due date approaches, the body will push the baby downward.
* There will be an overall discomfort and a feeling of being full and bloated, because the baby will press against the abdomen and stomach lining. Result? You might find it difficult to eat a full meal.
* The tendency to urinate all the time will be felt. This is because the baby has been pushed lower and is now pressing against the bladder. This results in the increase of pressure on the bladder.
* Cramps will be felt, either as a dull ache that come and go, or as something that lasts for a long time. It is this phenomenon that we will be studying in more detail in the following section.
36 Weeks Pregnant and Cramping - What it Means
These cramps will resemble the menstrual cramps that most women suffer from during their monthly cycles. Given the proximity of the cramping to the due date, it comes as no surprise that most women will mistake this for going into labor. While that is a very rare possibility, it is one nonetheless. Thus getting oneself checked by one's gynecologist is always recommended to rule out a premature labor and birth.
In most cases though, cramping during the 36th week of pregnancy is not an indication of going into early labor, it is on the other hand, caused because the body is going through certain changes in preparation of the labor. What are these changes?
The dilation of the lower section of the uterus, for one. The lower portion of the uterus will thin out so that the baby can pass through easily. Sometimes, diarrhea could also accompany the cramping, which is normal. Unless it is severe and chronic and stretches over 2 - 3 days, in which case, you should consult your gynecologist.
If these cramps are coming and going at regular intervals and are rhythmic, then it could be an indication of Braxton Hicks Contractions. These are not the real thing, though they resemble real labor so much that most think that they have gone into early labor. Be in constant touch with your gynecologist and let her know what you're going through. Sometimes a check up might be necessary to rule this doubt out. Again, this is just the body's way of preparing itself for labor.
Sometimes, women will experience a phenomenon that is known as bloody show. This is a term used to describe the falling off of the mucus plug. A mucus plug is a small plug that is made of the substance that mucus is made of and is located at the base of the amniotic sac. It blocks the entry to the cervix. In that way it is supposed to keep the baby safe from any harm. Sometimes after the 36th week, most women lose their mucus plug. While some might not even realize when their mucus plug falls off, others might experience varying degrees of pain and cramping while this happens.
36 weeks pregnant and cramping at night? It could simply be because of the position that you've assumed. Sometimes a position (and this depends on each individual woman) that has been assumed will add pressure to the back or the stomach and lead to cramping. Though this is in no way a monopoly of the night, the cramps could come about while you're taking a nap during the day as well.
In most cases, these cramps will come and go on their own and one can employ certain home remedies like sipping on warm water, using a warm water bag or sleeping with your legs elevated to relieve the pain from cramping. The cramping is after all a good indication for you to be prepared for bringing the baby home soon, soon.
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