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Your Pregnancy at Week 37

This week, your baby is as big as a romaine lettuce.

Explore your pregnancy at Week 37

Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Week 36
Week 37
Week 38
Week 39
Week 40
Week 1

3 Weeks to go!

At A Glance
Baby Development Milestones
Pregnancy Symptoms
Advice from Our Practitioners
Tips for 37 Weeks Pregnant
Related Pregnancy Blogs

The following information was reviewed by Dr. Chor, Michael

At A Glance

Week-37

The fetus is about to be full term

Your baby is ready to come into this world, is the mother-to-be ready?

Baby Development at 37 Weeks

Fully-Developed

Changes in fetal activity

At this stage, the pregnancy is considered term. The baby is big enough and developed enough to live out of the uterus so there is not much space to move the body. They will still rotate to a more comfortable position and occasionally it will press the ribs or pelvis of your body.

Fetal-Movement

Pelvic pain

In the late pregnancy, your body is in full swing preparing for baby to come into this world. Pelvic congestion and hormone activity are relatively high and the baby is  putting pressure on the bladder which can cause a bit of tingling pain in the bladder. Don't worry, as long as there are no other symptoms of urinary tract infection, there is no need to worry about this.

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Your Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 37

Change in nipple shape

After your baby is born, medical professionals will encouraged you to breastfeed. The body will make extra preparations for the expectant mother. Additional oestrogen and progesterone will help prepare for milk production. The breasts will change when this hormone production occurs. Beyond swelling, the nipples will also darken, which is believed to help the baby identify the food source.

Sleep quality is worse than ever

A few weeks before delivery, most pregnant women suffer from low back pain, heartburn and sleep apnea making it difficult for them to fall asleep.

It is advised to sleep on your left side with legs slightly bent towards the chin. This position improves circulation to the uterus, helping to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, while improving circulation and kidney function, and can also reduce leg swelling, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.

If you have severe edema, you can try to support the legs higher than the abdomen.

More frequent pseudocontractions

As you are term, if you go into labour, it will no longer be considered early labour. Labour contractions are different Braxton-hicks contractions as they will be more regular and last longer over time. If you change positions, the pain will not disappear. Other symptoms at the start of labour include losing your mucus plug (a collection of mucus that forms in the cervical canal ) or waters breaking. However, these can also happen prior to labour which can make infection more likely. Therefore you should seek medical advice if you believe either of these have occurred. 

Advice from OT&P Obstetricians

In addition to regular check-ups and ultrasound to understand the fetal position, screening for Streptococcus B will also be performed at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant women carrying Group B Streptococcus may transmit Group B Streptococcus to their babies, leading to severe early infection of newborns. For pregnant women who screen positive for group beta streptococcal, intravenous antibiotics are recommended at the time of delivery.

Tips for 37 Weeks Pregnant

At 37 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is due if you:

  • Your waters have broken. This is when the amniotic sac breaks and amniotic fluid drains out through your vagina. This should happen when delivery is imminent, so it is important to contact your obstetrician as soon as possible
  • For pregnant women with preeclampsia, doctors may recommend induction of labor this week

Midwifery Practice For Natural Childbirth

We hold midwifery breathing exercises every Wednesday at noon, and you are welcome to book an OT&P Annerley midwife to attend or ask questions about soothing discomfort before labor. 

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Related Pregnancy Blogs

Can I Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Coping with the Uncertainty of Threatened Miscarriage

Navigating the Decision to Terminate a Pregnancy

Related Pregnancy Services

Plan your pregnancy, birth & beyond with OT&P

Whether you’re planning for an addition to your family or are already pregnant, OT&P’s Maternity Team is here to help.

   Maternity Concierge