At 37 weeks pregnant, your baby could come any day now, and when you go to work, the grocery store, or the park, you may get tired of strangers pointing out to you how very pregnant you are. Your doctor appointments should now be weekly, and your doctor may check your cervix for signs of thinning and dilation.
Your baby is likely settled in a head-down position by now, and if not, your doctor may discuss options for getting him to turn, or whether it’s best to plan for a C-section. Most doctors will not move forward with vaginal delivery of a breech (feet-down) baby.
Your Baby’s Development At 37 Weeks Pregnant
If your baby were born today, he’d be considered early term, and could weigh around 6.5lb and be around 19 inches long – every bit as big as some full-term babies.
If your baby is still breech (turned with his bottom downward instead of head down) your doctor may suggest a procedure called a cephalic inversion. (That’s just medical-speak for head-turning.) If it’s appropriate for your situation, you’ll be connected to monitors to ensure the baby’s vitals are steady, and the doctor will use an ultrasound to observe the baby’s position. The doctor will then manually flip the baby into the correct position using their hands. If this isn’t a good option for your pregnancy, your doctor may begin discussing C-section plans with you now.
Your baby’s organs, including lungs, brain, and nervous system, are well-developed now, and many babies born at this point will breathe on their own, though some may still need assistance.
Mother’s Symptoms At 37 Weeks
As you get closer to your due date, you’ll be watching for signs of labor! Many of your other symptoms will remain the same or may become slightly more intense.
Weight, Breathing, & Mood
Weight gain may slow down in the last weeks of pregnancy, with an average gain of around half a pound to one pound per week. Remember, every pregnancy is unique, so these numbers serve as references, not prescriptions.
Your lungs are under pressure as your uterus increases in size, so don’t be surprised if you’re out of breath after an unusually minimal amount of exertion. You may also experience fatigue, overheating, headaches, or dizziness.
If you feel unsteady, sit and rest! A fall could be risky for you and your baby.
Ensure you’re drinking enough water and getting sufficient rest. Take breaks as often as your body needs them, and wear flowy clothing to help keep cool.
Your back, legs, and feet may also be sore and strained. Choose comfortable, supportive garments, including shoes, bra, and belly band, to ease this.
In terms of mood, you may notice nesting impulses, irritability, weepiness, or anxiety and excitement. Stress is hard on your body and the baby’s, so try to relax if you can!
Preeclampsia Symptoms
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that most commonly surfaces in the third trimester of pregnancy, but can even show up after delivery. Its central symptom is high blood pressure, or hypertension, which may be detected during a visit to your doctor’s office. Women found to have preeclampsia are considered to have a high-risk pregnancy.
However, it also affects other organs and can cause severe permanent effects, so it’s essential to monitor for the safety of both you and your baby. That means that if your first symptoms surface between visits, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Severe headaches can be one of the first signs. If you have a headache that you feel is more severe than anything you’ve experienced, call your doctor. It can also affect vision, so if you’re seeing spots or blurs, it’s best to check in.
While swelling is a common pregnancy symptom, swelling due to hypertension may be more severe and more serious. Any swelling that affects your chest or face can be a sign of preeclampsia, as can swelling that comes un suddenly or is very extreme.
Digestion & Cravings
By now, maybe your cravings have fallen into a predictable routine. Or, perhaps they’re still surprising you in the middle of the night with the desire for oddly specific foods. Either way, it’s generally okay to satisfy pregnancy cravings, as long as they’re safe. Avoid undercooked meats and certain types of seafood. If you crave non-food items, consult your doctor about supplements.
Heartburn and indigestion may be ongoing through the end of pregnancy. OTC antacids are fine, but avoid any containing aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate.
Constipation is also a continuing problem in many pregnancies. This is exacerbated by even mild dehydration, so be sure to drink enough water. Your doctor will probably approve of a stool softener, but laxatives can cause contractions, so avoid them unless your doctor specifically recommends it.
If you’re dealing with bladder leakage, you’re not alone – close to half of pregnant women will experience this. Practice those Kegels and use a pantyliner if needed.
Pain, Cramps, & Contractions
Now that you’re close to the end, new pains could mean labor. Depending on the position of your baby and your placenta, contractions could feel different from what you might expect.
Pains that feel like menstrual cramps could be contractions. Sometimes contractions may feel like lower back pain. They could even feel pressure in the pelvic region. There may be a squeezing sensation, similar to Braxton Hicks contractions but often more uncomfortable or even painful. The key identifier of labor contractions is that they become more frequent and more intense over time, so if you think you may be in labor, start tracking!
Other pain and discomfort may continue from earlier in pregnancy.
These could include round ligament pain (a sharp stabbing or pulling sensation in the lower abdomen) or pelvic girdle pain (in and around the hips). These may ease with a change in position, rest, and pain meds.
General back pain is a common occurrence during most pregnancies. Sciatica, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve at the base of the spine, is less common but can occur in some pregnancies. Heat, stretching, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are the most commonly recommended treatments.
You may also continue to experience restless leg syndrome symptoms when trying to relax. For now, the most common treatments advised for this are massage, exercise, and heat. In some cases, your doctor may recommend or prescribe a supplement.
Skin & Breasts
As you draw closer to giving birth, you may begin leaking colostrum. Some women will see this as early as the second trimester, and others won’t have any colostrum until after giving birth, but it is more likely as your due date nears. If you do leak, nursing pads in your bra can help prevent thrush and other painful conditions caused by dampness.
Dampness may cause your nipples to be sore, or even crack and bleed. You’ll want to inform your doctor immediately so they can prescribe the necessary treatment.
Some mild breast tenderness is normal, and a supportive bra (even overnight) can help.
Stretch marks may appear on your breasts, abdomen, hips, and even other areas of the body. If they are itchy or otherwise uncomfortable, lotion may help. It may also reduce long-term scarring.
You may also notice more vein visibility through your skin, either faintly visible lines or more highly visible spider veins. Unless they are warm to the touch, swollen, or painful, these are usually not a medical concern and may go away after you deliver your baby.
Varicose veins in your legs may be more uncomfortable, and your doctor may advise you to engage in light exercise, elevate your feet, or limit your standing time to relieve the discomfort.
Sleep Disturbances
Sleep is difficult in late pregnancy.
If you’re already treating your heartburn, restless legs, and back pain, and you’ve already piled up pillows to support your abdomen and spine, it can be extremely frustrating to still be unable to get any rest!
Sleep hygiene practices, like keeping your room cool and dark, and turning off screens a few hours before bed, may help. Creating a bedtime routine and destressing can also help. If lack of sleep is severe enough to cause danger (such as excessive tiredness while driving) talk to your doctor about other options.
Discharge, Bleeding, or Bloody Show
You may lose your mucus plug or begin losing pieces of it this week. It could be clear, whitish, or have streaks of pinkish or red blood in it. Some light spotting may also occur. Both of these are especially likely after an internal exam.
There can be a lot more mucus plug than you might expect, so losing small pieces doesn’t mean much. If you think you’ve lost most or all of the mucus plug, please notify your doctor. Any bleeding that is more than spotting should prompt an immediate call to your provider.
You may also have thicker vaginal discharge as your body works to protect your uterus against infection. Unless there’s a foul odor or a greenish or gray color, this is normal.
Mood & Stress
Stress is hard on you and the baby, so feel free to remove yourself from stressful situations, turn your phone ringer off, and program an ‘away’ message for your email if necessary! If you’re still working, consider whether you’d like to reduce your hours or workload for the last few weeks. (Do what you’re comfortable with!)
The surge of hormones leading up to delivery can also impact your mood. You may find yourself feeling irritable, weepy, or anxious. You might also notice that a nesting instinct kicks in, driving you to work at getting projects completed and preparations made before your baby comes.
When To Contact Your Doctor
If you feel that something is wrong or off, you should always feel welcome to contact your provider for help or reassurance. If you believe there is an emergency, please get in touch with emergency medical services.
Specific symptoms always warrant an immediate call to your healthcare provider or 911. These symptoms should warrant professional advice and intervention, whether you are at 37 weeks pregnant or at a completely different stage of your pregnancy.
Preeclampsia Symptoms
Preeclampsia is often diagnosed long before week 37, but not always. Sudden or unusual swelling should be reported to your doctor. Vision changes or unusually severe headaches can also be signs of preeclampsia.
Labor Signs
If you went into labor this week, your doctor would most likely deliver your baby, rather than trying to help you delay. If your water breaks, you should head to the hospital. Instructions vary on when to call your doctor for regular contractions. Some doctors may say to come when there are contractions every 3-5 minutes for at least an hour, and other doctors may say to wait until they have been that frequent for two hours. If you’ve given birth before, your doctor may prefer you come in when contractions have been 5-7 minutes apart for an hour.
Decrease In Fetal Movement
If your baby seems to be moving less frequently than usual, or if something feels off, please call your doctor. Be prepared to share kick counts or specific descriptions of how the movements seem different.
Other Symptoms To Call About
A fever over 100 degrees, severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, signs of dehydration (like being unable to pass urine for an extended period), all warrant a call. Contact your doctor for cracked or bleeding nipples, signs of thrush, rash, or irritation on your brests, or any signs of vaginal infection or UTI.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 37 Weeks Pregnant?
You should now be having weekly appointments. Your doctor may perform a cervical check this week or next to assess your progress.
If your doctor doesn’t bring up labor plans this week, you should. Ask at what point in labor you should head for the hospital. While some doctors may say to come when you’re having six contractions in an hour consistently, and others may want you to wait until they’ve been every five minutes for an hour or more, it’s best to get your provider’s specific instructions.
Keep up the kick counts! Relax comfortably and start a timer. How long does it take to feel your baby move ten times? Or, for a more laid-back baby, time for an hour, and record how many times you feel movement.
If you haven’t packed a hospital bag, picked out a car seat, and learned how to install it in your vehicle, don’t delay further! Your baby could be here any day!
What To Look Forward To
If you’re having a planned C-section, then by now you already know your baby’s birthdate! If you will be induced, then you already have a good idea of your baby’s birthdate, too!
Otherwise, at 37 weeks pregnant, you can look forward to being surprised when your baby arrives, and find oput whether he’ll share a birthday with other family members or loved ones.