Pregnancy: 37 weeks

How does the baby grow at 37 weeks of pregnancy?

At 37 weeks pregnant, your baby has reached full term. If labor starts now, the birth will be fairly easy and quick. Some babies still need to stay in the womb longer. So if you are planning a cesarean section, your doctor will schedule it no earlier than 39 weeks, unless there are other medical reasons to do it earlier. Your baby weighs almost 3 kg and is a little over 48 cm long. Many babies have hair on their head at birth, don't be surprised if it is a different color than yours. This is the original hair, which will later change both color and texture.

Important: Each baby's development is unique. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of fetal development.

Changes in the expectant mother at 37 weeks of pregnancy

Braxton Hicks contractions may now occur more frequently and last longer than before. You may also notice an increase in vaginal discharge, a small amount of bloody mucus may indicate that labor is approaching. If you experience heavy bleeding or discharge, tell your doctor immediately. Also, make sure you know the results of your group B strep tests. In case of emergency or emergency, you can remind the hospital about the need for antibiotic therapy during labor.

Getting a good night's sleep can be a big challenge for you, so if you manage to get some rest during the day, it may be your last chance for the next few days. Continue to monitor your baby's movements, and tell your doctor immediately if you notice a decrease in activity.

You may have some very strange and vivid dreams while you sleep. Worries about childbirth and parenthood can fuel your unconscious imagination.

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Symptoms of labor

There is no way to predict when labor will start, in fact, your body begins "preparing" for labor a month before it happens. You may be blissfully unaware, or you may notice new symptoms as your due date approaches.

A week before your due date, you may notice:

• Descent of the fetus. If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel the baby dropping a few weeks before delivery, which may also cause a feeling of heaviness and pressure in the pelvis.
• You may notice an increase in the frequency of Braxton Hicks contractions. More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions may indicate preterm labor, in which the cervix begins to dilate.
• Discharge of the mucus plug - a mucus thickening that blocks the cervical canal leading to the uterus. The plug may come out as a clot or as an increased amount of discharge over several days. The mucus may contain blood.
• Rupture of membranes. Most women will first feel contractions and only then notice the rupture of membranes, but in some cases, the opposite happens. Following the rupture of membranes, labor itself begins. (If contractions do not begin on their own, they will be induced by a doctor.)

How to distinguish preparatory contractions from the onset of labor?

Sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish false contractions from the early stages of labor, the following tips will help you with this:

• Preparatory contractions are irregular. They vary in duration and interval of repetition. Although the early stage of labor may also begin with irregular contractions, over time, they begin to repeat more regularly and more often.
• During false contractions, the pain is more likely to be concentrated in the lower abdomen; during labor, the pain will be concentrated in the lower abdomen and lower back.
• Preparatory contractions may go away on their own, or with a change in position or activity. Early labor contractions will progress no matter what you do.

This week's activity: Read the instructions for installing a child's car seat. You can't bring your baby home without a car seat, so don't wait until the last minute to install one.