Congratulations, mummies! You’re 37 weeks pregnant now.
Your due date is three weeks away.
You can’t wait to meet your little one at this point.
Let’s dive into what’s happening with your baby, your body, and other developments during this critical week.
Your Baby at 37 Weeks of Pregnancy
Your baby is now considered full-term, though an extra week or two in the womb can still provide benefits.
Here’s what’s happening with your little one this week:
Now that you’re 37 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs approximately 2.8 kilograms and measures around 48 centimetres in total length, with a crown-to-rump length of about 35 centimetres.
It’s important to note that even though your doctor may offer a weight estimate, predicting your baby’s size at birth is tricky due to variables like amniotic fluid and placental growth.
As the uterus becomes more cramped, you may feel reduced movement.
This isn’t due to inactivity but a lack of space for bigger gestures.
Here’s your little one’s progress at this stage of pregnancy:
- Baby fat: Despite being close to his birth size, your baby may continue gaining up to 14 grams of fat per day, which helps regulate body temperature after birth.
- Physical changes: Your baby’s lungs are maturing, preparing for his first breath.
- Vision: Light now penetrates the womb more easily due to the thinning uterus, prompting your baby to move his eyes towards bright sources.
- Movements: You should still feel consistent patterns of activity, so monitor your baby’s kicks and movements closely.
You may notice that there is less movement from your baby at this point.
Don’t worry, this is normal.
As your baby grows, they begin to run out of room to move around.
Now, instead of somersaults, you’ll only feel the occasional kicks and elbows.
While these may wake you up in the middle of the night, enjoy the thought of your baby snugly awaiting his arrival.
Your Body at 37 Weeks of Pregnancy
Your body is in full preparation mode for labour and delivery.
Remember to attend your weekly prenatal visits as these are crucial for monitoring your and your baby’s wellbeing during this pivotal stage.
Here’s what’s going on with your body now that you’re 37 weeks pregnant:
- Braxton Hicks: These contractions may feel stronger, though they remain irregular compared to true labour contractions.
- Engagement: You may notice increased pelvic pressure as your baby drops lower.
- Fatigue: Carrying the heavy load of your pregnancy will take more out of your in the coming weeks. Be sure to rest often.
- Incontinence: Just like the weeks before, you’ll continue to experience the occasional leak as your baby pushes down on your bladder.
- Swelling: Various areas of your body will continue to swell due to the increase blood volume and pressure. Continue to wear compression stockings.
- Back pain: To help ease the stress on your back, you may need to adjust your walking position. Many pregnant women may end up ‘waddling’ moew than walking at this point.
Medical Check-Ups
At 37 weeks pregnant, your doctor will start to monitor your health even more closely.
They will measure your blood pressure to check for signs of pre-eclampsia, a condition that is more likely to develop late in pregnancy.
A belly examination will help determine your baby’s position—whether head-first (ideal for delivery) or breech.
Your doctor may also perform weekly pelvic exams to assess cervical changes like dilation or effacement. These will tell them how close you are to labour.
While it’s exciting to hear that you’re close to dilation, this doesn’t necessarily mean labour is imminent.
You could walk around partially dilated for weeks before delivery. So, try not to stress over your due date that much.
Breast Changes
Your body isn’t just preparing for labour, but for what comes after as well: nursing.
As a result, you may notice your breasts growing in size even more as you approach you big day.
By now, your breasts may be at least a cup size larger than they were pre-pregnancy.
Unfortunately, your nipples will also become more sensitive, sometimes to the point where even your clothes will start to feel uncomfortable.
These changes are your body’s way of getting ready to nourish your baby after birth.
You may even notice colostrum, a nutrient-rich pre-milk, leaking slightly as your breasts prepare for their new role.
Embrace these changes as a sign of your body’s incredible ability to adapt and nurture your baby, even before they arrive.
Head Engagement
Engagement is when your baby’s head is positioned perfectly into the pelvis signaling their readiness for birth.
The process of engagement involves the hormone relaxin which helps loosen the ligaments and joints in your pelvis to facilitate your baby’s descent through the birth canal.
Relaxin also softens and shortens the cervix, helping it prepare for dilation during labour.
If this is your first pregnancy, your baby will engage earlier, typically several weeks before delivery (as early as week 34).
In fact, by the time you’re reading this, they’ve probably engaged already.
This is due to tighter muscles that help guide your baby down.
If this is your second, third, etc. pregnancy, your baby may still be upright, taking their time before they get into position. Engagement won’t happen in this case until delivery.
Your healthcare provider may check for engagement during a pelvic exam.
If your baby hasn’t engaged yet, don’t worry—it’s not a definitive indicator of when labour will start.
The Countdown Starts
At 37 weeks, you’re standing on the brink of an incredible journey.
Your baby is growing stronger, while your body is diligently preparing for the big event.
From monitoring movements to understanding physical changes, staying informed can help you navigate these final weeks with confidence.
As the countdown begins, cherish the anticipation and take time to rest, prepare, and connect with your baby, mummies!
References
- Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Hachette Books.
- Kaye, P. (2021). Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. SPCK Publishing.
- Riley, L. (2006). You and Your Pregnancy: Your Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books.
- Shanahan, M. K. (2002). Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Da Capo Press
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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