36 weeks pregnant
At 36 weeks you are in the third trimester, and your baby measures about 47 cm from head to heel and weighs about 2.6 kg, roughly the length of a standard pillow, short side. The 36-week antenatal visit checks the baby's position, the RSV vaccine should be done by now, and your leave dates need confirming with your employer.
Weighs about 2.6 kg, like a kettle full of water. Averages from standard growth tables; your scan gives your baby's own numbers.
Your baby at 36 weeks
The baby drops lower into the pelvis, especially in a first pregnancy. Most babies have turned head-down by now and have little room left to move.
How you might feel
The baby dropping lower eases breathing but adds pelvic pressure; sleep is short and Braxton Hicks tightenings are frequent.
36-week visit. The RSV vaccine should be done by now. Confirm leave dates.
Call the maternity unit today for any change in your baby's movements, bleeding, fluid loss, a severe headache or vision changes. 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) in Queensland; 000 in an emergency.
What's due this week in Australia
Lodge the Parental Leave Pay and Family Tax Benefit claims
You can lodge up to 3 months before the due date through myGov → Centrelink.
RSV vaccine (Abrysvo)
Free under the National Immunisation Program, one dose per pregnancy from 28 weeks and ideally before 36 weeks.
Wills, guardianship, super and insurance
Make or update wills and name a guardian.
Pack the hospital bag and fit the car seat
A rear-facing restraint must be fitted before you can take the baby home.
Group B strep swab
A low vaginal–rectal swab, often self-collected at the 36-week visit.
36-week antenatal visit
The baby’s position (if breech, turning the baby by ECV is discussed at 36–37 weeks), signs of labour and when to come in, and consent for vitamin K, the hepatitis B birth dose and newborn bloodspot screening.
Final admin before the birth
Confirm leave dates with your employer (at least 4 weeks before leave starts), save the maternity unit’s number in both phones, check that myGov and the Centrelink claim are in order, and agree who tells whom.
Coming up: 38-week antenatal visit
Blood pressure, position and movements, and a conversation about what happens if you go past the due date: membrane sweep and induction options.
Coming up: 40-week antenatal visit (first pregnancy)
A membrane sweep is usually offered from 40 weeks, and a plan is made for monitoring past the due date.
Checklist for the week
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Questions about 36 weeks
How many months is 36 weeks pregnant?
About eight months.
What trimester is 36 weeks?
Week 36 is in the third trimester. In the Australian guidelines Hello Bub follows, the first trimester runs to 13 weeks, the second from 14 to 27 and the third from 28 weeks.
What happens at the 36-week visit?
Blood pressure, urine, the baby's growth and position, a discussion of birth preferences, the result of the group B strep swab, and consent for vitamin K and the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Written by the Hello Bub team; medical schedule follows the Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines; last reviewed 3 November 2026.