37 Weeks Pregnant
third trimester · Month 9
3 Weeks to Go!
Baby is as long as a bunch of kale
Key Takeaways
- Full term! Baby is ready for life outside
- Practicing breathing, sucking, swallowing
- Head may engage in pelvis
37 Weeks Pregnant
Baby’s Development
Your baby has grown to about 49 centimeters — roughly the size of a bunch of kale — and weighs approximately 2,850 grams, or about 6.3 pounds [1]. You have reached full term! Your baby is now ready for life outside the womb, practicing the essential skills of breathing, sucking, and swallowing. The brain continues to develop and will keep growing after birth. Body fat now makes up about 20 percent of your baby’s weight, giving the skin a smooth, plump appearance. Most babies are in the cephalic (head-down) position by now. Your baby’s head may engage in your pelvis (a process called lightening), and if born now, the survival rate is 99 percent or higher [2].
Pregnancy Symptoms
You are in the third trimester and have reached full term. The familiar symptoms continue — backache, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, swelling, headaches, and Braxton Hicks contractions. Your uterus measures about 37 centimeters in fundal height. Lightening may be complete or still in progress, bringing easier breathing along with more pelvic pressure and a return of frequent urination. The kicks you feel are distinct, though they may have changed character as space has run out. Round ligament pain, sciatica, and pelvic pressure persist. Your weekly OB visits continue, your cervix may begin effacing and dilating, and you should receive your GBS test result around this time [2].
Body Changes
Your uterus measures about 37 centimeters in fundal height, and a weight gain of 29 to 37 pounds by this point is typical. Your bump is large and may have “dropped” as your baby engages lower in your pelvis. You may notice stretch marks, the linea nigra, melasma, more visible veins, and varicose veins. Your breasts may have grown by two or more cup sizes, and colostrum may leak occasionally. The “pregnancy mask” (melasma) can appear on your face, and swelling in your feet and ankles is common. Your cervix may be effacing and possibly beginning to dilate as your body prepares for labor [2].
Tips for Week 37
- Address pelvic pressure with Kegels, side-sleeping, a support belt, pelvic tilts, and prenatal physical therapy.
- Address anxiety about labor by talking to your provider, attending a class, hiring a doula, reading evidence-based birth stories, and visualizing the day.
- Finalize your postpartum plan — decide who will be helping, how meals will be handled, who will care for your dog, how work leave will work, and how to prepare siblings.
- Continue kick counting — aim for 10 movements in 2 hours daily. If you count fewer than 10, try eating, drinking, and lying on your left side, then count again. If the second count is also low, call your OB.
Things To Do (Checklist)
- Address pelvic pressure
- Finalize your postpartum plan
- Continue kick counting (aim for 10 movements in 2 hours daily)
- Learn the signs of labor and the 5-1-1 rule
- Confirm your hospital bag is ready
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m full term. Is it safe to deliver now? A: Yes! The full-term window is 37 to 42 weeks, and babies born at 37 to 38 weeks generally do well. There is no need to “wait it out” once you have reached full term [1].
Q: How do I know labor is starting? A: Follow the 5-1-1 rule: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for 1 hour. Other signs include your water breaking (a continuous trickle of fluid), a bloody show (blood-tinged mucus), and severe back pain. Call your OB when you hit the 5-1-1 threshold or if you have any concern [2].
Q: Can I have sex to induce labor? A: It is safe in low-risk pregnancies. Semen contains prostaglandins that may help soften the cervix, and orgasm can cause uterine contractions. Some couples try sex at term to encourage labor to begin. Discuss it with your OB if you have any questions [1].
For Dads
- Be the “labor signs” expert — know the 5-1-1 rule, when to call the OB, and when to drive to the hospital. Have your OB’s after-hours number saved and ready.
- Finalize the logistics — confirm the go-bag is ready, the route is mapped, parking is planned, a backup driver is lined up, child and pet care (including for your dog) is arranged, and your work calendar is blocked.
- Practice labor support — counter-pressure for the lower back and hips, breathing cues, position changes, and what to say (and what not to say).
- Read The Expectant Father, Chapter 36, which covers the late third trimester and your role in labor.
- Pray for a safe, healthy labor and delivery — the architecture of life, and the moment of meeting your baby.
Sources
- ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic — 37 Weeks Pregnant
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting — Heidi Murkoff (Chapters 20-21: Third Trimester to Labor)
Sources
- guideline ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
- medical Mayo Clinic — 37 Weeks Pregnant
- book What to Expect When You're Expecting — Heidi Murkoff
Your Checklist
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Action Plan Items for Week 37
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