In week 37 of pregnancy, the baby is likely already engaged in the maternal pelvis, so the woman will notice her belly is lower. The baby's movements can feel more intense due to the lack of space. In addition, the pregnant woman may feel increasingly uncomfortable and find it harder to sleep and walk.
On the other hand, it is important to mention that from week 37 of pregnancy, labor can occur at any time and would no longer be considered premature, but early term.
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The baby in week 37 of pregnancy
In week 37 of gestation, the baby measures around 47-48 cm in length and weighs almost 3 kilograms. This means that the baby continues to grow and gain weight. Furthermore, during this week it will continue to accumulate fat, which will serve to regulate its body temperature once birth has occurred.
The lanugo that covered the baby's body has begun to fall off and disappear in week 37 of pregnancy. Lanugo is that fine hair that covers its little body during gestation (approximately from the middle of pregnancy) for protection. However, some babies are born with some lanugo even if the pregnancy has reached full term, which will fall off on its own shortly after.
On the other hand, it is most common for the baby to be in a cephalic presentation in week 37 of pregnancy, which means that it has already oriented its head towards the maternal pelvis. However, if the baby is breech (3-4% of cases), the mother may be offered an external cephalic version (ECV) during this week, since otherwise, it is most common for breech fetuses to be born by cesarean section.
External cephalic version is an obstetric maneuver that aims to turn the baby to place it in a cephalic position and favor vaginal delivery.
However, there are certain contraindications for performing an ECV and, in addition, it is a procedure that can have some risks. However, the most serious complications are rare.
Common symptoms in week 37
During week 37 of pregnancy, the woman may notice in her underwear or when wiping a mucous and sticky vaginal discharge, which may have small streaks of blood. Most commonly, it corresponds to the expulsion of the mucus plug, which is indicative that labor is approaching.
The mucus plug is a secretion that, located in the cervix, prevents the passage of microorganisms into the uterus during gestation.
However, from the expulsion of the mucus plug to labor, anywhere from hours to several days can pass. However, if the woman has bleeding, she should go as soon as possible to the specialist managing the pregnancy.
On the other hand, an increase in the frequency of Braxton Hicks contractions can also occur, which may be present from the second half of pregnancy. These contractions can be uncomfortable, occur at irregular intervals, and serve as preparation for labor.
On the contrary, if the woman presents regular and increasingly frequent and intense contractions, they may be labor contractions and she should see a doctor.
Other symptoms in week 37 of pregnancy
It is possible that, towards the end of gestation, the baby's movements decrease due to the limited space the baby has at this stage. Despite this, the woman should continue to perceive movements, even more intense ones, also due to the lack of space in the uterus.
Therefore, in case of a total absence of movement or if the woman notices that her baby is less active than usual, a doctor should be consulted to check that everything is fine.
In addition, other symptoms that a woman may notice in week 37 of gestation are:
- Lower belly, because the baby is already engaged in the maternal pelvis.
- Pelvic pressure and back pain.
- More labored breathing.
- Heartburn.
- Increased need to urinate.
On the other hand, it is also possible for the woman to have difficulties sleeping and resting in these last weeks of pregnancy.
Medical control in week 37
In week 37 of gestation, the pregnant woman may undergo screening for Group B Streptococcus. This is a vagino-rectal culture used to determine if the woman is a carrier of this microorganism (even if she has no symptoms).
The reason is that, if the result is positive, the baby can be infected with this microorganism during delivery and present complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, or blood infections. Therefore, in case of a positive result, antibiotics would be administered to the mother at the time of delivery.
However, the vagino-rectal culture can be performed from week 35 of pregnancy. Therefore, it is possible that in week 37 the pregnant woman receives the results of this test if it was performed previously.
On the other hand, in week 37, the ECV can be performed if the baby is breech, as previously mentioned.
Recommendations in week 37
Because labor can occur at any time, week 37 of pregnancy can be a good time for the woman to finalize preparations and the hospital bag for when she goes into labor.
To reduce heaviness and heartburn, it may be advisable to eat small amounts frequently. In addition, the woman should rest whenever she can, since nighttime sleep in the final weeks of gestation will be more difficult.
Finally, it will be very important to maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and do exercise adapted to the stage of pregnancy throughout the entire gestation.
FAQs from users
Does the baby move little in week 37?
In week 37 of gestation, the baby has already reached a considerable size, so it has less space inside the uterus (unlike when it was smaller). For this reason, it is possible that fewer movements are perceived, but these may feel more intense due to the lack of space.
In any case, the woman should continue to feel the baby's movements in week 37, and if she does not perceive movements or notices a decrease in activity, the pregnant woman should see a doctor so they can check that everything is fine.
Can you have labor contractions in week 37?
Yes, the pregnancy is reaching its final stretch and the woman can go into labor in week 37. Furthermore, from this week on, it would no longer be considered a premature birth, but early term.
However, it is important to distinguish labor contractions from Braxton Hicks contractions, which the woman may feel more frequently at the end of pregnancy.
While Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and do not increase in intensity, labor contractions occur more rhythmically and increase in frequency and intensity.
Is it normal to be exhausted in week 37 of pregnancy?
In week 37 of pregnancy, the pregnant woman may feel tired. Due to the size the baby and the belly already have, the woman may feel less active. In addition, it is very common at this stage of gestation for the woman to have difficulties resting, which will undoubtedly increase fatigue.
However, if the woman feels excessively tired and is worried that this feeling is not normal, it is recommended to always consult a specialist.
Recommended readings
If you are 37 weeks pregnant and want to know more about what happens in the next week of gestation, we recommend reading the following article: Week 38 of pregnancy
On the other hand, if you want to know more about the moment of childbirth, you can visit this link: Childbirth: preparation, types and possible complications
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References
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Eskes M, Ensing S, Groenendaal F, Abu-Hanna A, Ravelli A. The risk of intrapartum/neonatal mortality and morbidity following birth at 37 weeks of gestation: a nationwide cohort study. BJOG. 2019 Sep;126(10):1252-1257. (View)
Fadigas C, Saiid Y, Gonzalez R, Poon LC, Nicolaides KH. Prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates: screening by fetal biometry at 35-37 weeks. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2015 May;45(5):559-65. (View)
Ficara A, Syngelaki A, Hammami A, Akolekar R, Nicolaides KH. Value of routine ultrasound examination at 35-37 weeks' gestation in diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jan;55(1):75-80. (View)
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Malin GL, Morris RK, Riley RD, Teune MJ, Khan KS. When is birthweight at term (≥37 weeks' gestation) abnormally low? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prognostic and predictive ability of current birthweight standards for childhood and adult outcomes. BJOG. 2015 Apr;122(5):634-42. (View)
Panaitescu AM, Wright D, Militello A, Akolekar R, Nicolaides KH. Proposed clinical management of pregnancies after combined screening for pre-eclampsia at 35-37 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Sep;50(3):383-387. (View)
Robinson M, Whitehouse AJ, Zubrick SR, Pennell CE, Jacoby P, McLean NJ, Oddy WH, Hammond G, Stanley FJ, Newnham JP. Delivery at 37 weeks' gestation is associated with a higher risk for child behavioural problems. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Apr;53(2):143-51. (View)
Veglia M, Cavallaro A, Papageorghiou A, Black R, Impey L. Small-for-gestational-age babies after 37 weeks: impact study of risk-stratification protocol. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jul;52(1):66-71. (View)
FAQs from users: 'Does the baby move little in week 37?', 'Can you have labor contractions in week 37?' and 'Is it normal to be exhausted in week 37 of pregnancy?'.
