37 Weeks Pregnant

As you enter week 37 of pregnancy, baby is now roughly the size of a bag of Cheetos (the party size), and you’re still gaining weight at a rate of around a pound a week. You’re probably feeling a whole host of symptoms, including gas and bloating, fatigue and trouble sleeping. But baby will be here in a few weeks, and they’ve reached a milestone: at 37 weeks, they’re considered early term. You’ve got about a month left if baby arrives on time! Here’s what you should know about week 37 of pregnancy.

How Many Months Is 37 Weeks Pregnant?

37 weeks pregnant in months is nine months pregnant, which is part of the third trimester of pregnancy.

Your Baby at 37 Weeks

Your baby is nearing their due date, which means that they could arrive any time now. But until then, they’ll continue putting the finishing touches on their development. Find out what’s happening with your baby at 37 weeks.

• Dexterity: When you’re 37 weeks pregnant, your baby’s fingers are becoming more coordinated as they learn to grasp and hold things—like the umbilical cord and their own hand. After birth, they’ll hold your pinkie. (Aw!)
• Head-down: Most babies are in a head-down position by now. If yours is breech (feet down) or transverse (side-lying), your doc may talk to you about doing a version procedure (aka external cephalic version, or ECV) to hopefully flip baby into position.
• Early term: Did you know: your pregnancy is now considered “early term”? That means your baby is almost fully baked and needs just two more weeks for important brain and lung development. If they were born this week, they’d be more likely to need help in the NICU than they would if they’re born at full term at 39 weeks.

How Big Is Baby at 37 Weeks?

Your baby is about 13 inches long from crown to rump and weighs around 6.3 pounds this week. That’s about the size of a party-size bag of Cheetos.

Your Body at 37 Weeks Pregnant

The weight gain recommendation at 37 weeks pregnant is still about a pound per week, but many parents-to-be find they’re not gaining much weight in this last month of pregnancy. Definitely talk over your weight gain with your healthcare provider, but know that it’s likely you’ve already put on enough pounds to support your baby until their arrival.

You may also notice your bump doesn’t get much bigger from here on out. That’s because amniotic fluid levels start to reduce at 37 weeks pregnant. Your doc will keep an eye on your level, making sure baby still has plenty of padding.

37 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Not to sound like a broken record, but you’re probably feeling, well, pretty pregnant right about now. Be extra kind to yourself and get as much rest as you can. Here’s what you may be feeling when you’re 37 weeks pregnant.

Spotting

Your cervix is easily irritated, so a little spotting in the third trimester is normal, especially after sex. However, if you notice a lot of blood, call your healthcare provider since it could indicate that something is wrong with the placenta.

Gas and bloating

Because of the extra progesterone in your body, you might feel really bloated or have more gas. Try smaller meals and drink lots of water, despite the fact that you’re already running to the bathroom all the time.

Stretch marks

You may find some new tiger stripes on your belly, hips, thighs, arms or bum. These tiny tears within the skin are caused by stretching as your belly’s been growing or if you gained weight quickly. Being prone to stretch marks is more about genetics than it is about anything within your control (like skincare products!), but drinking lots of water and applying belly oil or cream can’t hurt. Stretch marks will fade after you give birth and will blend in better with your skin tone. Promise.

Trouble sleeping

Many people have trouble sleeping in late pregnancy. Stress reduction techniques, like yoga and meditation could help, and so can getting plenty of gentle exercise.

Nausea and/or diarrhea

Your baby is so big they’re crowding your digestive tract, which can make you feel ill. Also, at this stage in the game, nausea or diarrhea can be early signs of labor.

Big emotions

The last few weeks of pregnancy you might feel everything from excitement so intense it feels like you might burst to boredom, fear and anxiety. For many soon-to-be parents, having mixed feelings is normal. “Often, there is a mixture of emotions that is constantly threatening to spill out with tears, anger bursts, or even uncontrollable laughter,” says Skylar Ibarra, a therapist specializing in perinatal mental health. You’re on the cusp of some big changes, so don’t feel bad for having big feelings.

Pregnancy Symptoms Coming up in Week 38

Each week brings you a little closer to meeting your baby. During week 38 you can expect your symptoms to remain steady, though you may start to feel even more heaviness in your pelvic floor and experience more soreness as your joints loosen in preparation for delivery.

Commonly Asked Questions About 37 Weeks Pregnant

You’re now considered “early term.” Just because you’re in the final stretch doesn’t mean you don’t have any more questions.

Could my baby really come any time now?

Yes, but it could also still be quite a while. While your baby could come any day, it’s as common for first-time moms to deliver past their due date as it is to deliver before it. To kill time over the next three (or four or five, sorry) weeks, write up a list of fun ways to occupy your remaining pre-baby time. If you need to add a few last-minute chores, go for it, but otherwise, try to come up with ideas that keep you entertained and relaxed, like nature walks, movie nights and prenatal yoga classes.

How do I get friends, family and everyone else I know to stop asking if I’ve had my baby yet?

It can be hard to deal with those overly excited friends and relatives who are already texting every day to see if your baby has arrived. Find a way to shut them down gently now or you’ll find yourself wanting to toss your phone out the window as their texts increase in frequency over the next couple of weeks.

“It’s key to come up with some type of easy-to-remember sentence that clearly sets your boundary, like ‘we really appreciate how excited you are, but please stop asking, as it’s adding stress to my day. I’ll let you know when baby is here and look forward to your support then,’” says Carrie Murphy, a full spectrum doula based in Austin, Texas.

How do I choose a pediatrician?

Choosing your child’s pediatrician can feel like a big deal. Luckily, you have a little time to figure out who a good fit might be. While big-picture things like your overall values and the way you approach health matter a lot, don’t forget about logistics. “Location, the convenience of getting to the pediatrician’s office, policies and hours of the office all matter,” says Dr. Amaka Nnamani, a pediatrician and author based in Pennsylvania. And don’t forget the power of intuition, says Dr. Nnamani. “Trust your instincts, most of the time they’re right!”

How does my body prepare for labor?

As you go about your day, your body is preparing for labor. These are a few labor preparations that are probably happening at 37 weeks—or will happen soon:

• Braxton Hicks contractions: Some doctors believe these sporadic contractions are toning your muscles for the big event and helping to dilate and efface your cervix. They may also eventually spur your labor contractions. You’ll know when they become true labor contractions when they’re more regular, frequent and intense. That’s when you should call your healthcare provider for instructions.
• Baby drops: At some point, your baby will “drop” into your pelvis, preparing for labor. This can happen right before delivery or a few weeks up to a month ahead. Once baby drops, you might find yourself breathing a little easier, but you also might be heading to the bathroom more often.
• Cervical changes: To prepare for a vaginal birth, the cervix (baby’s exit path from the uterus) needs to soften, dilate (open) and efface (thin). Your OB will start to check for signs it’s making those changes at your appointments. These changes can begin happening weeks before delivery or the same day—every pregnancy is different!—but still, checking in on these changes can help them get a sense of just how ready your body is getting.
• Mucus plug: This isn’t the prettiest picture, but throughout pregnancy, there’s a mass of mucus that acts like a cork, plugging the entryway to the cervix. As dilation and effacement happens, the mucus plug comes off and is expelled like discharge. Only it’s thick and not your typical discharge, so it can be kind of alarming! Once you notice it, it can be a couple weeks or maybe even a few hours before you go into labor.
• Bloody show: You might notice some slight spotting or streaks of blood—either around the same time as you lose the mucus plug or a little while later. Dubbed “the bloody show”, it’s made up of capillaries that surround the cervix, which can rupture as your lady parts prepare for labor. Once you see this, you might have only a day up to a few days until go time.

Of course, you won’t truly be in labor until you have labor contractions—the regular, increasing ones. Call your healthcare provider whenever you’ve had contractions that are about five minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds each for about an hour. Or if your water breaks or you think you might be leaking amniotic fluid. They’ll tell you when to grab your hospital bag and go.

Here’s a guide for timing contractions (but there are apps that’ll do it for you, as well).

Timing Contractions

Contraction Start Time	End Time	Duration	Frequency
1:10:15	1:11:10	55 Seconds	—
1:18:20	1:19:10	50 Seconds	8 min., 5 sec.
1:25:25	1:26:20	55 Seconds	7 min., 5 sec.
1:31:30	1:32:27	57 Seconds	6 min., 5 sec.

Recommended Products for 37 Weeks Pregnant

You’re in the home stretch. Now, for a little last-minute shopping.

• Before you go into labor, book it to the pharmacy or Amazon for a bottle of Colace. After delivery, the last thing you want to do is put any undue strain on your lower abdomen or nether regions. These mild stool softeners (generally safe for nursing mothers, but double-check with your doc) can ease postpartum bathroom anxiety (yep, that’s a thing!) and discomfort.
• Save time later by prepping your birth announcement now. Create your design online—Minted and Tiny Prints are both great—then all you have to do is insert the perfect picture and your baby’s details once they’ve arrived.

Sources

• Skylar Ibarra, a perinatal mental health therapist
• Carrie Murphy, a full-spectrum doula
• Dr. Amaka Nnamani, a pediatrician and author