Pregnancy Week 37

What does my baby look like?

This week your baby keeps rehearsing some of the skills they'll use after birth: they mimic breathing by drawing in amniotic fluid and pushing it back out, they blink, suck their thumb, and turn from side to side inside the womb.

The facial muscles are working too. Your baby can make different expressions, like frowning or smiling. These are random and don't mean they're sad or happy.

How big is my baby this week?

Your baby keeps gaining a little weight each day and may now average around 3 kilos. There's much less room in the womb by this point, so instead of sharp kicks you may feel more stretching, squirming, rolling, and pushing.

At birth, your baby's head circumference may be close to the circumference of their chest. As fat builds up around the shoulders, elbows, knees, and neck, their body starts to look fuller and more rounded.

Hair, eyes, and hearing

Some babies are born with a full head of hair, while others have only fine, downy fuzz. Hair color and texture can change over the first few months.

Eye color may not be settled at birth either. In some babies the final eye color is clear from the start, while in others it shifts over the first few months.

A newborn hearing screening is done shortly after birth. This screening matters for assessing hearing and, later on, language development.

How many months pregnant am I?

This week you're in your 9th month of pregnancy. There's very little time left until birth.

What's happening in my body?

This week the great majority of babies turn head down and settle facing the mother's back. This is considered the best position for birth.

When the baby's head drops into the pelvis, your belly may look like it has settled a bit lower. This is sometimes called "lightening." If your baby is still in a breech position, don't panic—some babies turn even after labor has begun.

Braxton Hicks contractions

During these weeks, Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent. These are the uterus's practice contractions.

Braxton Hicks contractions are usually:

• irregular,
• don't steadily grow stronger,
• may ease when you rest or change position,
• most often not painful, giving more of an uncomfortable tightening sensation.

Real labor contractions, on the other hand, generally become more regular, longer, stronger, and more frequent. In low-risk pregnancies, a common guideline for heading to the hospital is contractions that last about 1 minute, come every 5 minutes, and continue for about 1 hour. But the plan that applies to you should be your doctor's recommendation.

Bloody show, discharge, and your water breaking

This week you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge. It can look clear, pink, or slightly blood-tinged.

The mucus plug is the thick layer of mucus that protects the cervix throughout pregnancy. As birth approaches, it can come away in pieces or all at once. This is sometimes called the "bloody show." Losing the mucus plug doesn't mean labor is about to start right away; labor may begin hours, days, or even longer later.

If you have heavy bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, or a constant leak of fluid, contact your doctor without waiting. Fluid that keeps flowing or dripping may mean your water has broken.

Baby movements

Because there's less room in the womb, the way movements feel may change, but movements stopping altogether is not considered normal. Keep tracking your baby's daily movement pattern.

If you don't feel 10 distinct movements within 2 hours, contact your doctor. A noticeable drop in movement may mean the baby is in distress.

Gas, bloating, and digestion

During this stage, the baby may press more on your stomach and intestines. Because of this:

• gas,
• bloating,
• indigestion,
• constipation

may become more of a problem.

Eating your meals more slowly and choosing smaller portions can help. A short, gentle walk after eating can aid digestion.

Back pain and pelvic pressure

Lower back pain is very common at this stage of pregnancy. More than 60% of pregnant people may experience it.

To ease back pain:

• try to stand up straight,
• don't stay in the same position for long,
• keep up light exercise,
• when possible, choose low-impact movement like swimming that doesn't strain your joints,
• if your doctor thinks it's appropriate, talk about prenatal massage or physical therapy options.

Colostrum and leaking breasts

You may notice a yellowish fluid coming from your breasts. This fluid is colostrum—the first milk your baby will get after birth. It's rich in antibodies.

Leaking colostrum is normal. Not leaking any doesn't mean your breasts aren't ready for birth.

Learning about postpartum depression ahead of time

Postpartum depression can develop within the first year after birth and may affect more than 1 in 10 women. It can also occur in partners.

Symptoms may include:

• feeling persistently low,
• losing interest in things you used to enjoy,
• constant tiredness and low energy,
• being unable to sleep at night and feeling excessively sleepy during the day,
• struggling to care for yourself or the baby,
• withdrawing from your social circle,
• trouble concentrating and making decisions,
• frightening thoughts.

If you or your partner have symptoms like these, it's important to see it not as a reason for guilt but as a sign to get help.

Symptoms you might notice this week include:

• Braxton Hicks contractions
• increased vaginal discharge
• losing the mucus plug
• colostrum leaking from the breasts
• gas and bloating
• indigestion
• constipation
• frequent urination
• back pain
• pelvic pressure
• trouble sleeping
• hot flashes
• dizziness
• leg cramps
• swelling in the hands and feet
• hemorrhoids
• dark patches on the face or oilier skin

It's important to keep up healthy pregnancy nutrition during this stage. Your baby is still gaining a little weight.

Key points for your diet:

• getting enough protein
• keeping up your calcium intake
• eating fruits that contain vitamin C
• if bloating is increasing, choosing smaller, more frequent meals
• eating your meals slowly

Foods like avocado, chickpeas, and lentils can be helpful choices for both energy and protein.

• Give your birth plan one last review.
• If your hospital bag isn't ready, finish packing it this week.
• If you have other children, plan who will look after them once labor starts.
• Sort out in advance how you'll get to the hospital or birthing facility.
• If you can keep up gentle exercise, keep it up.
• Stay active during the day without overtiring yourself.
• Don't stop tracking your baby's movements.
• Talk ahead of time with people who can support you after the birth.

What does early term mean?

Week 37 falls into the period of pregnancy called "early term." Early term covers the stretch from the start of week 37 to the end of week 38. Full term is between week 39 and the end of week 40.

The reason for this distinction is that as the timing of birth shifts within this window, some of the newborn's adjustment processes—breathing first and foremost—can differ. That's why, unless there's a medical reason, labor is left to start on its own.

Packing your hospital bag

Since labor can start at any time, having your hospital bag ready this week is reassuring. For yourself, you can pack comfortable, easy-to-put-on clothes, slippers, underwear, personal care items, a water bottle, and a phone charger.

For your baby, add the basics too, like onesies, sleepsuits, a hat, mittens, and a blanket. Putting your ID and any necessary documents, along with a copy of your birth plan if you have one, in the bag makes things easier. It can also be practical to split the bag into a labor bag and a postpartum bag.

Recognizing the signs of labor

Recognizing the signs that labor is approaching matters during these weeks. Contractions that steadily grow stronger, longer, and more frequent, your water breaking, and the mucus plug coming away as a pink, blood-tinged discharge are the main signs. Increased back pain may go along with them too.

Noticing these signs may not mean labor is about to start right away; labor may begin hours or days later. Still, recognizing the signs helps you judge when you need to head out.

Group B strep (GBS) screening

During these weeks, screening may be done for a bacterium called group B strep. This screening is usually carried out with a swab sample. A positive result means you carry this bacterium; it doesn't mean you're sick.

If you're a carrier, intravenous antibiotics during labor may be recommended to lower the chance of the bacterium passing to the baby during birth. You can talk with your doctor about what your result means and what plan will be followed.

Preparing for skin-to-skin contact

Holding your baby against your bare skin right after birth is known as skin-to-skin contact. This contact can help the baby regulate their body temperature, adjust more easily to the world outside the womb, and calm down.

Skin-to-skin contact can also support bonding and the start of early feeding behaviors. If conditions allow, you may want to note this in your birth plan.

Getting the car seat ready

To bring your baby home safely, it's important to get the car seat ready ahead of time. A newborn seat is placed rear-facing in the back seat to best protect the head, neck, and back.

Installing the seat before the birth and getting familiar with how it works cuts down on the rush on the day.