At 37 weeks pregnant, it’s only a couple more weeks until you’re considered full-term. It won’t be long until you meet your little one now! As you navigate this final stretch, you might notice your belly feeling particularly crowded, experiencing symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, and increased pressure. Let’s explore 37 weeks pregnant, including the symptoms you may experience, and how to prepare yourself for labour, birth and meeting- your new bundle of joy.

Highlights at 37 Weeks Pregnant

Before we get into all the details, here are a few highlights from 37 weeks gestation:

• At 37 weeks, your little one is gaining fat to keep them warm after birth.

• They may be in a head-down position now in preparation for delivery.

• Around 37 weeks pregnant or in the next few weeks, your cervix may begin to dilate, and you may lose your mucus plug, a sign that labour is near.

• At 37 weeks pregnant, make sure you know all about contractions so that you’re ready for when yours start. And keep your research going by checking out some labour positions and comfort measures you may want to use.

• Do you have a name for your baby yet? Try our Baby Name Generator to explore different options.:

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37 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

As your due date gets nearer, your little one continues to grow and develop. Here’s what’s going on:

• At 37 weeks, your baby is probably gaining about half an ounce each day, adding fat and plumping up before birth.

• Is 37 weeks full-term? Keep in mind that although you’re super close to your due date at 37 weeks pregnant, your pregnancy is still considered to be in the “early term” stage and won’t be considered “full term” until the start of 39 weeks.

• Your baby’s lungs, brain, and nervous system continue to develop at 37 weeks. Their brain will continue to grow until they’re 2 years old.

• Your baby has now shed most of the lanugo, the fine body hair that has covered their little body while in your uterus.

• Your baby is now able to make grasping motions with their fingers. Plus, they may also respond to bright lights in the outside world by moving or turning toward the light.

• If your little one hasn’t done so already, they may be shifting into a head-down position in preparation for labour.

37 Weeks Pregnant in Months

Are you wondering “How many months is 37 weeks pregnant?” Though the weeks of pregnancy don't divide neatly into months, at 37 weeks, you’re generally considered 9 months pregnant.

Baby’s Size at 37 Weeks Pregnant

At 37 weeks gestation, the average baby is about the size of a bunch of Swiss chard. Last week your baby may have weighed over 6 pounds and is continuing to add about half an ounce a day.

Your Baby: What Does 37 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Wondering how your baby may be positioned at 37 weeks? Check out this illustration for a general idea of what you might see if you could take a peek inside:

Your Body at 37 Weeks Pregnant

At 37 weeks pregnant, your cervix may be beginning to dilate. When this starts to happen, you may lose the seal that protected your uterus from infection throughout your pregnancy. This seal is known as the mucus plug.

If, at 37 weeks pregnant, you notice some extra vaginal discharge that is clear, pinkish, or slightly bloody, this may be the mucus plug. Seeing this mucus discharge is an indication that labour is starting or is not far off.

Keep in mind, that you can lose the mucus plug hours, days, or even weeks before labour begins. Some pregnant people don’t notice it at all. Losing your mucus plug or having a little spotting isn't unusual around 37 weeks pregnant; however, if you notice severe bleeding now or at any time during your pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider.

At 37 weeks, if you do notice the mucus plug on your underwear or the toilet paper after you wipe, or if you are unsure if this means your labour has started, you may want to call your healthcare provider for advice on what to do next.

Twins and triplets are more likely to be born earlier than a single baby, so keep an eye out for signs of labour if you’re 37 weeks pregnant with twins or more.

37 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 37 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Pelvic pain or pressure. Is your baby sitting lower in your pelvis these days? This dropping—also called lightening or engagement—can occur a few weeks before your baby is born, and you might notice it if you feel a little extra pressure on your lower abdomen. This pelvic pain can even make it hard to walk around 37 weeks pregnant. If pelvic pressure is causing you discomfort, a warm bath may provide some relief. Contact your healthcare provider for more advice on what to do to relieve pelvic or lower back pain at 37 weeks or throughout your pregnancy.

• Shortness of breath. If your baby hasn’t dropped yet, they might be pressing up against your lungs, making breathing a little more difficult. Try to rest more, move slowly, and sit or stand up straight to help give your lungs more room to expand with each breath. Once your baby “drops” lower into your pelvis, this may take some pressure off your lungs and diaphragm, making it easier for you to breathe.

• Nausea. Some pregnant people may be feeling sick around 37 weeks pregnant, and it could be a sign that labour is about to start. Try to eat four or five smaller meals instead of three larger meals. Bland foods like rice, toast, or bananas can also help get you through these bouts of nausea. If you experience severe nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting around 37 weeks of pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider.

• Snoring. This one might not trouble you as much as your partner. Most pregnant people go through some breathing changes during pregnancy thanks to hormonal changes, and toward the end, some snoring is not uncommon as the mucus membranes in your nasal passages tend to dry out. Make sure you’re staying hydrated, and use a humidifier in your bedroom if your partner starts to complain about your snoring.

• Unstable on your feet. By now, your pregnancy weight gain means your centre of gravity has shifted, making it easier for you to lose your balance. This extra weight from your baby, the placenta, amniotic fluid, and more can make it challenging to move around. Once your baby drops lower into your pelvis, the distribution of your weight may even change again, so be extra careful whenever you’re on your feet! To keep yourself steady, stand with your feet pointed in the same direction with your weight balanced evenly on both feet. Try not to tilt your pelvis forward or backward, and avoid lifting or carrying heavy or bulky items.

Contractions. At 37 weeks pregnant, you could start to feel contractions that you might recognize as being similar to period-like cramps. Contractions that are irregular and go away when you move or change positions are likely Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions. But, if you feel contractions that occur regularly, get progressively stronger, and don’t subside if you move or change positions, you’ll want to call your healthcare provider for advice. It’s helpful to time your contractions and have this information ready to give your provider on the phone.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 37 Weeks?

In this final month of pregnancy, your uterus will finish expanding—so, your belly might be as big as it gets at 37 weeks pregnant! When your pregnancy started, your uterus may have weighed around 2 ounces, whereas now, it may weigh about 2 ½ pounds.

What Does 37 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For a general idea of what your belly might look like at 37 weeks pregnant, take a look at the image below.

37 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

Here are a few things to consider that might help you during this period of your pregnancy journey:

There are a variety of different birthing positions and comfort measures that can help during labour and delivery. Some require equipment such as a birthing bed, chair, pool, or ball. It’s a good idea to ask ahead of time what’s available at your hospital or birth centre. Also, try to keep an open mind; once you’re in labour, you may find that what you actually find comfortable is different from what you expected to find comfortable.

• Research your options for feeding your baby. The choice of breastfeeding or formula feeding is yours to make, but you may want to find out more about each. You can talk to your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant (the La Leche League website can help you find one in your area) to get more information.

• If you haven’t already purchased one, you’ll need a rear-facing car seat properly installed in time for your baby’s trip home from the hospital. Make sure the car seat you buy meets all safety standards. If you’ll be using a hand-me-down car seat from a friend or family member or re-using a car seat you used with one of your older children, make sure it’s in good condition and is still within the expiration date set by the manufacturer. If you need any help installing your baby’s car seat, your local fire department is a good place to start or look for a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician in your area.

• You may want to ask some trusted friends, neighbours, or family members to help out with things like grocery shopping, laundry, or looking after your older children or family pets in the first few weeks with your newborn. Make a list of what you might need help with so that your helpers know exactly what they can do to lighten the load.

• Around this time, your healthcare provider may offer a Group B streptococcus (better known as group B strep or simply GBS) test. This routine test (which is usually done by your provider taking a swab of your vagina and rectum) checks whether you carry the GBS bacteria. If your test result is positive, your provider will be able to advise what treatment you’ll need to ensure your baby doesn’t come in contact with the bacteria during birth, should you give birth vaginally.

• You may be wondering if 37 weeks is considered full-term. Your pregnancy will be considered full-term at the start of 39 weeks. Between now and then, your baby still has lots of developing to do. You don’t have too long to wait, though—you’re only weeks away from meeting your newborn!

• Knowing what might occur in the first few minutes and hours after your baby is born may help you feel more confident and in control. We’ve curated a list of articles that might be interesting for you at this time:

  • What is the Apgar score

  • Healing after childbirth

  • Top tips for bringing your newborn home.

37 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Here are a few questions you might like to ask your healthcare provider at 37 weeks pregnant:

• What happens if my baby doesn’t turn into the head-down position? And will I have a 37-week ultrasound to check their position?

• What happens at a 37-week appointment?

• Under what circumstances might I need a cesarean section?

• Is my birth partner allowed to be with me when I give birth? What if I have a cesarean section?

• How many people can I have with me during labour?

• What happens right after I give birth?

• How long am I likely to stay in the hospital after I give birth, and what happens during that time?

• What are some symptoms not to ignore at 37 weeks pregnant? Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of high blood pressure or preeclampsia when you’re 37 weeks pregnant, such as a persistent headache, swelling of your face or hands, spots or changes in your vision, or difficulty breathing.

• What should I do if I have lower back pain and cramping but no contractions at 37 weeks pregnant?

37 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

Tick off some of these to-dos to ensure your prepared for your new arrival:

☐ If you haven’t already done so, pack your hospital bag. The big day could be just around the corner!

☐ Use our baby registry checklist to ensure you have all those essentials for your new arrival. It’s also a great way to show your loved ones or baby shower guests what you still need and want for your baby.

☐ Stock your freezer with meals you can simply heat up. After your baby is born, you may not have time to cook. ☐ Finalize your baby’s nursery, and get any baby essentials you haven’t bought yet. Keep in mind that most babies don’t arrive exactly on their due date and that yours could come early. ☐ Consider getting a waterproof sheet to protect your mattress in case your water happens to break while you’re asleep. ☐ If you see breastfeeding or pumping in your future, make sure you have several quality nursing bras. ☐ Start stocking up on diapers and collecting rewards points from our Pampers Rewards app.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}