Your baby at 37 weeks
Your baby is as long as a bunch of Swiss chard at the 37th week of pregnancy. It's likely that your baby is more than 48.3 cm (19 inches) long and weighs between 2.7 and 3 kg (6 and 6.5 lb), nearing the final birth weight. He or she will continue gaining 14 g (0.5 oz) of fat per day to help regulate body temperature and keep blood-sugar levels even. The brain and skull also continue to grow.
Ease on down
Is your baby sitting lower during the 37th week of pregnancy? This dropping also called lightening or engagement can occur a few weeks before your baby is born. The new, lower position may take some pressure off of your lungs and diaphragm, making it easier for you to breathe.
Your pregnancy at 37 weeks
The trade-off
The good news about your baby dropping is that you can breathe again. The flip-side is that you may feel extra pressure in your lower abdomen and pelvis. Also, your center of gravity changes again when your baby drops, so you may be a little clumsier than you were before.
Bag it!
Only five percent of babies are born on their actual due date, so it's handy to have a packed bag waiting by the door in case your little one comes early. Stick to the essentials, a comfortable nightdress or night-shirt, a comfy robe, non-skid slippers or socks, a well-fitting nursing bra, toiletries and going-home outfits for yourself and the baby.
Close scrutiny
During the 37th week of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may start performing pelvic exams at your weekly pre-natal visits. He or she will check to see if your cervix is dilated (opening up) or effaced (thinning) and will look for any signs of labor. Many women start to dilate weeks before actually going into labor, while some don't show any signs of labor until it's time to go to the hospital.
Twin development at week 37
Twin moms are six times more likely to deliver their babies early. There are a number of reasons your doctor may choose to induce or schedule a cesarean delivery. In fact, researchers at the University of Adelaide suggest that mothers of multiples elect to give birth by week 37 to avoid complications.
37 weeks pregnant symptoms
- swelling in your extremities
- nausea
- difficulty sleeping
- Braxton-Hicks contractions
Did you know?
When you are 37 weeks pregnant, you may hear that your baby is considered “early term.” Even though he or she is mature enough to live outside the uterus, baby needs the next three weeks to gain weight and give the lungs and brain a little more time to mature.
37 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby is Now Ready for New Life
Want to know more about your upcoming week? Find out what to expect during the 38th week of pregnancy for you and your baby here.
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