Third trimester
37 weeks pregnant
Early term. The fetus is around the size of a chard bunch, and labour from this point is no longer considered premature — though babies continue to benefit from the remaining weeks.
Size of
swiss chard bunch
Length
48 cm
Weight
2860 g
Your baby at 37 weeks
The fetus is considered early term. The lungs and brain continue maturing, which is why induction without medical reason is generally not offered before 39 weeks.
The fetus is practising breathing, sucking and swallowing — all the skills needed immediately after birth.
Most of the vernix has gone, though some often remains in skin folds at birth.
How you may be feeling
Weekly appointments continue. You may notice the mucus plug coming away, sometimes with a little blood, known as a show. It can happen days or weeks before labour.
Braxton Hicks may be frequent and strong enough to be confusing. The distinguishing feature remains that they ease with rest and do not become regular.
Common symptoms around week 37
- Possible mucus plug or show
- Strong Braxton Hicks
- Pelvic pressure
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loose stools, which some people notice before labour
Appointments and tests around now
Weekly appointments check position, growth, blood pressure and urine. Discussion about what to do when labour starts is usual around now.
What is normal, and what varies
Losing the mucus plug does not mean labour is imminent. It can come away weeks beforehand, and it can regenerate.
Worth doing this week
Know when to call
Many units use a guideline like contractions five minutes apart, lasting a minute, for an hour. Your own unit’s advice takes priority.
Time contractions start to start
From the beginning of one to the beginning of the next, not end to beginning. That is the number they will ask for.
Call about waters regardless of contractions
Waters breaking needs assessing even with no contractions, especially if the fluid is not clear.
Looking ahead
Next week the baby continues gaining weight, and full term is close.
Nearby weeks
Not sure which week you are in? The week tracker works it out from the first day of your last period, and the due date calculator gives you an estimated due date.