Your baby is now considered full-term! Of course, this doesn’t mean they will arrive any day soon. It merely means your baby has reached full development inside your uterus. They spend the next few weeks laying down fat before they come out to meet the world.  These fat stores help your baby’s body grow rounder and maybe develop cute dimples at the elbows and feet. More importantly, the baby’s fat stores help maintain their body temperature after birth and provide a store of energy.  

How is your baby growing when 37 Weeks Pregnant?

Your baby now measures 35cm from head to bottom, weighs about 3kg and gets a little heavier every day. They have fully mature lungs and are unlikely to need time in the NICU if they were born today. However, growing a little bigger helps when they are born. You can feel their hiccups from the outside and may even notice a pattern to them. Some babies hiccup more than others, and this can continue outside the womb.

What You May Feel 

Your body is still going through many changes. As your baby gets lower in your uterus, you will find yourself needing to pass urine more often than usual. Sleep is getting much harder to come by, too, as your baby’s movements can keep you awake at night. You may also notice more vaginal discharge by now, which may lead to you questioning when labour will start. Braxton Hicks contractions also increase in intensity, which can add to the confusion, especially if this is your first child. 

Tips when you are 37 Weeks Pregnant

Have someone on call. Whether it’s your partner, support person or your mum, make sure someone can promise to have their phone on at all times and head over to you if needed. Labour is unpredictable, and while it would be nice to have an end date, unfortunately, that is not how it works. Knowing you have someone you can rely on helps ease the pressure and worries.  

Published 19th September 2022