37 Weeks Pregnant

Baby’s Development

Fetus ~48.6 cm (bunch of kale), weight ~2,850 g (6.3 lb) [1]. Full term! Baby is ready for life outside the womb. Practicing breathing, sucking, swallowing. Brain: still developing (will continue post-birth). Body fat ~20% of body. Skin: smooth, plump. Most babies in cephalic position. Head may engage in pelvis (lightening). Survival rate: 99%+ [2].

Pregnancy Symptoms

Third trimester, full term. Symptoms: backache, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, swelling, headaches, Braxton Hicks. Uterus ~37 cm (fundal height). Lightening complete or in progress — easier breathing, more pelvic pressure, frequent urination returns. Kicks distinct. Round ligament pain, sciatica, pelvic pressure. Weekly OB visits. Cervix may begin effacing and dilating. GBS test result received [2].

Body Changes

Uterus ~37 cm fundal height. Weight gain: 29-37 lbs by week 37 typical. Bump large, may have “dropped.” Stretch marks, linea nigra, melasma, visible veins, varicose veins. Breasts 2+ cup sizes up, colostrum may leak. Possible “pregnancy mask” (melasma). Swelling in feet/ankles. Cervix: effacing, possibly dilating [2].

Tips for Week 37

• Address pelvic pressure — Kegels, side-sleeping, support belt, pelvic tilts, prenatal PT.
• Address anxiety about labor — talk to provider, attend class, hire doula, read evidence-based birth stories, visualize the day.
• Finalize postpartum plan — who’s helping, meals, dog care (your dog!), work leave, sibling prep.
• Continue kick counting — 10 in 2 hrs daily. Less than 10 → eat, drink, lay on left, try again. 2nd low count → call OB.

Things To Do (Checklist)

• Address pelvic pressure
• Finalize postpartum plan
• Continue kick counting (10 in 2 hrs daily)
• Learn labor signs (5-1-1 rule)
• Confirm hospital bag ready

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’m full term. Is it safe to deliver now? A: Yes! 37-42 wk is full term. Babies born at 37-38 wk do well. No need to “wait it out” once full term [1].

Q: How do I know labor is starting? A: 5-1-1 rule: contractions 5 min apart, 1 min long, 1 hr. Also: water breaking (continuous trickle), bloody show (blood-tinged mucus), severe back pain. Call OB at 5-1-1 or any concern [2].

Q: Can I have sex to induce labor? A: Safe in low-risk pregnancies. Semen has prostaglandins, orgasm contracts uterus. Some couples have sex at term to encourage labor. Discuss with OB [1].

For Dads

• Be the “labor signs” expert — 5-1-1 rule, when to call OB, when to drive to hospital. Have OB’s after-hours number ready.
• Finalize logistics — go-bag, route, parking, backup driver, child/pet care (your dog!), work calendar blocked.
• Practice labor support — counter-pressure (lower back, hips), breathing cues, position changes, what to say/not say.
• Read The Expectant Father Ch. 36 — late third trimester, your role in labor.
• Pray for safe, healthy labor and delivery — the architecture of life, the moment of meeting.

Sources

1. ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
2. Mayo Clinic — 37 Weeks Pregnant
3. What to Expect When You’re Expecting — Heidi Murkoff (Chapters 20-21: Third Trimester → Labor)