Is week 37 safe for delivery? What should I be feeling at 37 weeks pregnant? Are babies born at 37 weeks fully developed?
Congratulations on coming this far! Your pregnancy is now considered on its term. Let’s find out what your little baby is up to this week in your third trimester.
37 Weeks Pregnant in Months
37 weeks pregnant is how many months?
You're now in the home stretch! (Congratulations!) But how long is 37 weeks pregnant, exactly?
At 37 weeks pregnant, you are approximately 8.5 months into your pregnancy. Pregnancy is typically calculated as 9 months, but since a month is not exactly four weeks long, 37 weeks falls just short of the full 9 months.
Week 37 of Pregnancy: Baby
Your baby is developing her own immune system, and is now almost full-term. This is the week that your baby's lungs are fully developed and ready for her first breath. At this point, their lungs are also mature enough for them to begin practising breathing in utero.
As you get closer and closer to delivery, it's important to know that there are some things you can do now to help make sure your baby is as healthy as possible when they enter the world.
Baby’s Growth
The baby is growing at an incredible rate at week 37 of pregnancy.
Your baby's size now is as big as rockmelon! They measure around 48.5 cm height and weigh about 2.85 kg.
They will continue to grow in length and weight over the next few weeks. The bones of your baby’s skull are still soft and flexible, but they will begin to harden soon. The baby’s brain is developing at an amazing rate, with the first neurons forming by week 37.
Your baby’s eyes are fully formed and contain pigment cells (retinal pigments). These cells help with photoreception (vision) by absorbing light and converting it into nerve impulses that travel along optic nerves to the brain.
The placenta is fully formed and has been working for the last few weeks to pump out all necessary hormones for your baby's growth. Your baby's eyes are now fully formed, and he or she has begun to move more frequently, which will help develop muscles and bones.
The liver is also maturing at this stage; it's producing bile, which helps digest fats and proteins in breast milk or formula.
In addition, fat is stored in your baby's body in preparation for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding after birth.
Baby's Development
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- At 37 weeks, your baby is considered at term. That means you have the go signal from the universe to give birth anytime.
- Your baby's head is currently surrounded and protected by your pelvic bones; the head rests in your pelvic cavity.
- Your baby currently has hair up to 3.5 cm long and no longer has lanugo, the fine layer of down hair all over their body.
- They are rolling, stretching, and wiggling more and like to suck on their thumb. They also enjoy pivoting from side to side and blinking.
- Your baby's got better control of their fingers at week 37 of pregnancy. He can grasp smaller objects like their toe or nose.
- Your baby will simulate breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid.
Baby’s Hearing
In week 37 of pregnancy, the foetus’ ears are also fully developed at this point. As early as five weeks after conception, they can hear sounds from outside of their mother’s body. The baby’s hearing is limited by fluid in the middle ear, but it can still hear sounds that are loud enough to vibrate through this fluid (like mum’s voice).
Even though they can’t hear very well on their own yet, foetuses have been shown to respond to music played in utero—some even have been observed kicking along with a melody!
Keep in mind that your baby may not be able to see or hear everything you do while pregnant (yet), but rest assured that they are absorbing information about their world every day through touch and smell as well as sound.
Baby’s Teeth
Baby’s teeth are formed in utero
The baby’s teeth are formed inside the womb. The primary teeth start to develop in week 6, and the secondary teeth begin to form during week 13. By week 37, all 20 primary incisors have formed, and by week 40, all 20 secondary molars are present.
These teeth will start to show up at around six months old, but they won't be fully developed until your child is about 2 years old.
Baby’s Movement
In addition to these internal developments, you may notice that your baby’s movements have become more frequent and vigorous. This is because their muscles are developing, which makes it easier for them to stretch out and move around more easily.
Your baby may also be moving in ways that you haven’t felt before—for example, there may be times when your baby seems to be kicking up a storm on one side of your belly but not the other!
This is because your baby's head is shifted toward one side of your abdomen as he or she grows larger; this shift will continue until birth (and even after), so you'll likely feel it throughout the rest of your pregnancy as well!
Are babies born at 37 weeks fully developed?
Babies born at 37 weeks are generally considered full-term, but they may not be as fully developed as those born closer to 40 weeks. While most vital organs are developed by this stage, some babies may still need a bit more time to mature. It's important to discuss the specifics with your healthcare provider to ensure the best care for you and your baby.
37 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
It's been a long journey, but you've made it!
At 37 weeks pregnant, your body has done an incredible job supporting you and your little one this whole time. It's important to take care of yourself as much as possible now to give your body the rest it deserves after delivery.
At this point in your pregnancy, you may feel more tired than ever. If you have a desk job, it might be time to start taking breaks every hour and doing some light stretching exercises. If you're on your feet all day, try switching between standing and sitting every half hour. You might consider getting an ergonomic chair if one isn't already provided at work.
It's also important to keep up with your prenatal vitamins (which should be taken with food). This is the stage where your baby starts getting fat reserves for breastfeeding or formula feeding after birth, so make sure you're getting all the nutrients necessary for healthy development!
37 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should I be feeling at 37 weeks pregnant?
At 37 weeks pregnant, you may experience a mix of physical and emotional changes. Common feelings include increased pressure on the pelvis, Braxton Hicks contractions, heightened emotions, and anticipation of labour.
Additionally, you might notice increased swelling, more frequent urination, and signs that labor is approaching, such as the baby dropping lower in the pelvis.
You can also watch out for the following symptoms:
- You might experience sleepless nights, thanks to your anxiety about labour and you becoming a parent. This, in addition to the discomfort due to weight in your belly.
- If you're feeling pain in your pelvic area, it's because your baby's head is resting there.
- Your baby bump is now super big, and your skin must've stretched so hard that your stretchmarks have appeared and are now visible. However, the appearance and visibility of stretchmarks vary from one pregnant mum to another.
- While an increase in vaginal discharge is normal, be alert once you see mucus with tiny amounts of blood, as this means that labour is on its way. If your discharge becomes heavy, call your doctor immediately.
37 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms Not to Ignore
While most symptoms are part and parcel of being almost full-term, there are some that warrants a call to your healthcare provider. Such as:
- severe abdominal pain
- vaginal bleeding
- water breaking (if it's not a slow, continuous trickle)
- a decrease in fetal movement
- signs of preterm labour (contractions every 10 minutes or less, a feeling of pelvic pressure, or other concerning symptoms)
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
Why am I so tired at 37 weeks pregnant?
Feeling exceptionally tired at 37 weeks pregnant is entirely normal. Your body is working overtime to support the growing fetus, and discomfort, insomnia, and other pregnancy-related symptoms can contribute to exhaustion. Rest and proper self-care are essential during this time to help manage your fatigue.
Maternal Weight Gain
Your weight gain is reaching its peak. You’re probably feeling a little slower and may have noticed your energy level has dropped. You might be experiencing heartburn and other digestive issues, and you might be having trouble sleeping.
These symptoms are normal for pregnancy, but if they persist or become more severe, please see your doctor.
While you may not feel like exercising at this point in your pregnancy, staying active as much as possible is still important. Your body needs the extra calories for your baby to grow strong and healthy. It also helps keep your heart healthy and strong to continue pumping blood throughout your body during labour and delivery.
You should try to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day—and if you can’t make it all at once, split up those 30 minutes into smaller chunks throughout the day!
If you have questions about your weight gain during pregnancy or need advice from an expert on balancing exercise with nutrition, talk to your doctor!
Nutrition
37 weeks pregnant and still going strong!
It's time to start thinking about your nutrition. You're in the final stretch of pregnancy, and you want to ensure that your baby gets all the nutrients he or she needs to grow and develop into a healthy baby. Your baby's brain is growing faster than ever, which means it needs a lot of nutrients. So how can you make sure to get those nutrients?
First things first: Make sure you're eating enough calories. At week 37 of pregnancy, you'll need about 300 extra calories daily for the rest of the pregnancy. That doesn't mean you have to go crazy—make sure you're getting in an extra snack or two (or three) each day.
Next, make sure you're eating a lot of protein. Protein helps with fetal brain development, so try to get at least 25 grams daily for this week alone. If that sounds too much, remember: protein is found in so many different foods! Eggs, cheese, chicken breast… pretty much anything from an animal has lots of protein!
Finally, make sure that whatever else you do eat is high in fibre. This will help prevent constipation (a common issue during pregnancy) and give your digestive system a break—which it needs because it's working extra hard right now!
Is week 37 safe for delivery?
37 weeks pregnant is generally considered safe for delivery, as most babies are developed enough to thrive outside the womb. However, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the right timing for your individual circumstances, as there can be variations in readiness from one pregnancy to another.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 37 Weeks Pregnant
You're almost there, mum-to-be. You probably have everything ready by this time, so don't forget to take care of yourself this week. Here are some reminders for week 37 of pregnancy:
- Pay attention to your baby's movements. If you notice a decrease in activity, contact your healthcare provider.
- If you're feeling bloated, try to stretch out your food intake. Take small but frequent meals, and eat slowly.
- You have to stay hydrated. No matter how bloated you feel, you must drink eight glasses of water a day to ease your fluid retention.
- Give yourself a perineal massage in preparation for the big day. This will help stretch your perineum (the skin area between your vagina and rectum) to avoid episiotomy and tearing. Here's how to give yourself a perineal massage:
With clean hands and trimmed nails, lubricate your thumbs and put them inside your vagina. Press down towards your rectum and slide your thumbs across the bottom and side of your perineum, pulling gently outward and forward on the lower part of your vagina with your thumbs hooked inside. This helps stretch the skin the same way your baby’s head will during birth.
- Discuss your birth preferences and any concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure you're on the same page for the upcoming delivery.
- Attend your regular prenatal appointments to monitor the baby's health and your progress. Discuss any concerns or questions with your healthcare team.
- Be aware of potential signs of labour, including contractions becoming more frequent and intense, your water breaking, or a bloody show. Contact your provider if you experience these.
- If you're experiencing edema (swelling), elevate your feet, avoid standing for long periods, and stay hydrated.
- Ensure that the baby's car seat is correctly installed in your vehicle, ready for the trip home from the hospital.
- Plan for postpartum care and support, whether it's family, friends, or a postpartum doula who can assist after your baby's arrival.
Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice and any specific recommendations as you approach the final weeks of your pregnancy.
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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Your previous week: 36 weeks
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