37th Week of Pregnancy: What an Expecting Mother and The Expecting Baby

The 36^th to 39^th week of your pregnancy is the most crucial one. That’s the home stretch of your pregnancy. From the first stage, you must have experienced various changes in your pregnancy journey. Once you’ve entered the 37^th, gradually get ready to deliver your baby.  

You just can’t wait to hold your baby in your arms. You must have already started counting the days before your baby’s arrival. That’s quite natural!  

Delivery at the 37^th week of pregnancy could be quite possible. If you happen to give birth to your baby before or on the 37^th week, your baby may be considered “early-term”, or “pre-term”.

An ultrasound scan, a biophysical profile, and a non-stress test will be able to gauge the baby’s well–being as well as your health. But there’s also a high chance that you’re going to give birth at this stage (37^th week) of pregnancy. 

Here’s everything that you need to know about your baby and your body.

See the Changes in Your Baby

Most of your baby’s organs are already developed by now and ready to meet the world. Still, there are a few more weeks left for your baby to leave your womb. There are also some other developments seen in your baby this week. For instance – 

• Your baby’s average weight at this stage is around 6 to 7 pounds (2.7 to 3.2 kg) and is around 18 inches (45.7 cm) long from head to bottom.
  
• As far as the baby’s lungs are fully matured and functional at this stage. While your little one is still waiting to come out, they are rehearsing for their big moment by practising breathing. As such, by inhaling and exhaling the amniotic fluid. If your baby is born this week, these lungs will support the newborn by producing lipoprotein. The lipoprotein produced by the lungs of the baby is also known as surfactant.
  
• The baby has developed more expertise in their hands. Well! They can now grasp small things like their nose or toes. Since their hands have gathered strength by now, your baby is most likely to suck their thumb. The in-utero thumb sucking is keeping the baby ready for the feeding sessions afterbirth. Your baby’s toenails have also developed at this stage. After delivery, expect your baby to have overgrown nails in your toes.
  
• You may also see your baby smiling, or frowning, in your scans, at this stage. (This may not be directly linked to the sadness or happiness of your baby) Since their hearing has also improved, at this stage, they might even feel startled by a sudden noise.
  
• The digestive system or the gut of your baby has improved at this stage. It will include the sticky green meconium. Meconium is the first poo of the baby after birth.

How is Your Body Changing 

Since your baby has moved down the pelvis and is said to be “engaged”, you can be in labour at any time now. So, continue looking out for the signs in the 37^th week of pregnancy.

• Braxton Hicks Contractions or experiencing false labour is a frequent event at this stage. You can experience false labour every 10 to 20 mins.
  
• You might lose the mucus plug with brown or red streaks of blood in it – also known as a “bloody show.” A mucus plug or “bloody show” at this stage would mean that the blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing. Furthermore, the cervix is thinning, dilating, and gradually getting ready for labour and delivery.
  
• The pelvic pain happens to be an undeniable discomfort because of the baby’s pressure on it. Along with this, you’ll feel uncomfortable in your hips, back, legs as well as bladder.
  
• There are chances of water breaking at this stage. This is the amniotic fluid trickling out of the cervix as well as the vagina.
  
• You may feel the urge to go to the bathroom repeatedly.
  
• Besides experiencing the signs of labour at this stage, there are also other symptoms of pregnancy, this week, that you will come across. They are as follows:
  
• The extra weight of your baby can make you feel very tired. Sleep will no longer be your best friend. However, pregnancy insomnia is common.
  
• Breast leakage or production of colostrum may be bothering you a little at this stage.
  
• Your expanded belly can leave you with the marks of maternity (stretch marks), by now. After a few weeks of childbirth, you may wear the stretch marks as a badge of pride, but, for now, these marks can be slightly itchy.
  
• At this stage, you may feel just a little forgetful. Maybe the house keys have been misplaced, or you can’t remember the phone number of your best friend. This is also commonly known as the “Pregnancy brain”. 

So, How are You Going to Deal with the Symptoms of the 37^th Week of Pregnancy?

At this point of your pregnancy, self-care is the most important by balancing the loose ends and taking some time out for yourself. Going for prenatal check–ups should be your priority.

• You surely need to have a balanced diet. Care must be taken so that the food you eat does not trigger heartburn. But, you can eat labour–inducing foods. Eat your meals slowly, and eat in small amounts.
  
• You may be aware of your “Big Day”, but you can give birth before time. So, keep track of the kicks and the jabs. Also, keep your hospital bags packed and ready. If you have planned for cord blood banking for you, your baby, and the rest of your family, put your cord blood collection kit inside the bag.
  
• Hope you and your partner have already enrolled your name in the antenatal classes, so keep attending them. You’ll get a lot to learn about labour and childbirth from trained experts.
  
• Both you and your partner should have finished planning the nursery by now.
  
• Since you keep forgetting at this stage, keep a reminder list stuck to your calendar. You can keep reminder alarms on your phone as well.
  
• Wear supportive inners for your breast changes.
  
• Apply medically prescribed lotion or coconut oil for your stretch marks and get a prenatal massage done for pain.
  
• Change your sleeping position. Try to sleep on your left side to get some sleep as and when you can and keep your feet raised while sleeping to reduce swelling.
  
• Be active and do meditation.
  
• Stay hydrated.

You have almost come to the end of your pregnancy journey. Just a few more weeks left. Take it easy. 

Hope you have a healthy labour and delivery!