36 weeks - how much worse does it get?

[sarahb083]

I'm 36 weeks today and starting to find it really hard. I'm uncomfortable, having trouble sleeping and breathless. In your experience, did your symptoms keep getting worse or stay about the same until birth? Did you get much bigger?

I always found the third trimester the worst. You are near the end and impatiently waiting for the baby to come and not to mention being uncomfortable no matter position your in. I feel for you, I didn't enjoy any of my pregnancy, I don't think it got any worse though or that I got much bigger and if I did I never noticed.

Posted too soon meant to also say congratulations and hang on in there ☺️

I kept getting bigger and more uncomfortable, difficulty sleeping but not particularly breathless until dc1 arrived at 42 +5.
Sorry, that’s probably not what you wanted to hear but the baby will keep growing until it’s born.
Try to keep plodding along, plan at least one thing that you want to do each day (even if it’s read a chapter of your book), and make the most of these last few days. They’re more special than you realise x

Not what you want to hear but it got a lot worse for me - but DS was nearly 2 weeks over due so hopefully you won’t have to wait as long!
I got so much bigger and more uncomfortable in the last few weeks, crazy heartburn and the only place I was comfortable was in the bath.
Sorry OP the last few weeks are awful but hang on in there and your beautiful baby will be here before you know it!

It got worse, sorry to say. I had both my children at 39 weeks but those last 3 weeks were just awful both times. I didn’t sleep for the last 2 weeks of my first pregnancy I had 3/4 hours of contractions every night, it was very odd, but it never amounted to anything. I was also so so uncomfortable, both times my bump wasn’t very big but it just meant that my internal organs were quashed to the extreme. Horrendous. I’m 33 weeks with my 3rd now and already entering the can’t sleep zone, it does not bode well for the next month and a bit!

It is very uncomfortable but you are so nearly there. Once baby drops the breathlessness should ease. I’m 37+3 and been having trouble sleeping too. Just rest as much as you can. I’ve been focusing on enjoying the movements rather than how uncomfortable I am (although sometimes easier said then done) you’d be surprised at how much you miss those movements once baby is out.

Thanks all! Hopeful bump for more responses

A lot

I'm sorry but it did get much worse! Bigger, more uncomfortable, couldn't walk too far, couldn't sleep, couldn't get up without being pulled up... I'm afraid I could go on! But this is all coupled with the feeling that it's near the end and the desperation and adrenaline to want labour to start! I'd resigned myself to the concept that I may go on until 42 weeks - I didn't - I went into labour at 40+1 but plenty of people do!

Another apology I’m advance, but yep it’s quite noticeably worse from 36 weeks to term - sorry 🙈 I’m 40+1 today and SO uncomfortable! Hang in there though and just do whatever you can each day. If you haven’t already got one, an exercise ball is great to sit on as an alternative to the sofa!

Thanks for the honesty! I've also got gestational diabetes and baby's head is just under my ribs, but at least it's only a few more weeks :)

I’m with you OP! I’m 37+3 and I’ve already had a cry this morning because I’m just so miserable. I ache from my shoulder blades to my ankles, I can’t breathe or eat or sleep! Hopefully this is as bad as it gets for us both and it’s plain sailing to the end!

Only a bit worse for me. I started getting contractions at night (not very painful) at 39+2 which made things a bit more uncomfortable. Gave birth at 39+6.

I actually found 35-38weeks the worst. About mid week 38 the baby seemed to drop significantly and suddenly I could breathe and eat again.... I basically laid on the sofa on my side all day though as I was exhausted and felt HUGE. Week 39 was shit due to piles I developed (haha!) but they only hurt for a few days thankfully (although hurt like a mother for that time!)

Don't lose heart, you're nearly there! I know it sucks - I'm a week postpartum and spent a lot of time in my last week of pregnancy in tears out of frustration. But you're nearly there, you can do it!