Baby is the size of a small watermelon
👶 Baby's development
The baby is now full-term! Lungs are fully ready to breathe. Covered in fine downy hair.
💛 How mom feels
Pre-labour signs may begin: mucus plug, baby dropping, irregular contractions.
📖 Tip of the week
Officially full term! The baby is completely ready for life outside the womb. Labor could begin at any time — know the signs: regular contractions, water breaking, loss of the mucus plug.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The baby is now considered early term — lungs and brain are mature enough for life outside the womb
- The baby is practicing breathing, sucking, and swallowing in preparation for feeding
- Fat continues to be added at a rate of about 14 grams per day
- The baby has a firm grasp and strong reflexes
- The head circumference is nearly the same as the abdominal circumference
- The baby is about 48.6 cm long and weighs approximately 2,900 grams, roughly the size of a winter melon
🤱 What mom may feel
- Increased pelvic pressure and heaviness as the baby is fully engaged in many cases
- More frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes in regular patterns that resolve with rest
- Loose stools — the body may begin clearing the bowels in preparation for labor
- Difficulty walking due to pelvic pressure and loose ligaments
- Increased vaginal discharge, possibly with streaks of blood (bloody show)
- Extreme fatigue combined with bursts of nesting energy
🏥 Tests and check-ups
Weekly prenatal visit with blood pressure monitoring, fetal heart rate check, and fundal height measurement. Cervical examination may be performed to check dilation and effacement. Non-stress test (NST) may be ordered if there are concerns about fetal well-being or decreased movement.
💡 Tips for this week
- Rest as much as possible and conserve energy for labor and delivery
- Continue monitoring fetal movements — report any decrease immediately
- Finalize all arrangements: childcare for siblings, pet care, work handoff, transportation to hospital
- Stay within reasonable distance of your hospital or birth center
- Review when to call your provider: contractions every 5 minutes for an hour, water breaking, heavy bleeding, or decreased movement
❓ Frequently asked questions
What does early term mean?
Early term refers to babies born between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days. While the baby can survive well outside the womb, brain and lung development continue. If there is no medical indication, ACOG recommends waiting until at least 39 weeks for planned deliveries.
Is it safe to deliver at 37 weeks?
Yes, babies born at 37 weeks typically do well. However, studies show benefits of waiting until 39 weeks if there is no medical reason for earlier delivery, including better respiratory function and brain development.
What is a bloody show?
Bloody show is the passage of the mucus plug tinged with blood, a sign that the cervix is beginning to dilate. It can occur days to a week or more before labor begins and is considered a normal sign of approaching labor.
Should I be worried about loose stools?
Loose stools or diarrhea near the end of pregnancy can be your body's way of preparing for labor. Prostaglandins that ripen the cervix also stimulate the bowels. Stay hydrated. If accompanied by severe cramping or fever, contact your provider.
📝 Week 37 of pregnancy: preparing for birth
Congratulations — at 37 weeks, your pregnancy is now considered full term. Your baby weighs approximately 2.9 kg and measures around 48 cm — comparable to a large bunch of Swiss chard. All of the organ systems are fully functional, and your baby is now simply gaining weight and putting on the final layers of fat that will help regulate body temperature after birth. The skull bones remain slightly soft to ease passage through the birth canal, and the bones will fully harden in the months after birth.
Your body is continuing its preparations for labour. You may experience an increase in pelvic pressure and an urge to use the toilet more frequently as the baby’s head presses deeper into the pelvis. A mucus plug or bloody show — a small discharge of mucus, sometimes tinged with blood — may be passed at any time from now, indicating that the cervix is beginning to soften and dilate. This can happen days or even weeks before labour begins, so it is not in itself a reason to rush to the hospital. Mood changes, emotional sensitivity, and a mix of excitement and anxiety are all completely normal at this stage.
At your 37 to 38 week appointment, your midwife will perform a routine check and discuss any remaining questions about your birth plan and the early signs of labour. You should know the difference between latent labour (irregular, manageable contractions) and active labour (contractions lasting at least 60 seconds, coming every 3 to 5 minutes). If your waters break, contact your maternity unit regardless of whether contractions have started — the unit will advise you on next steps. Be aware of symptoms that require immediate attention: heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, a significant reduction in movements, or a very severe headache with visual disturbances.
From 37 weeks, it is safe to try some natural methods to encourage the onset of labour, though evidence is limited for most — nipple stimulation has the strongest evidence base. Continue with gentle exercise such as walking and birthing ball exercises, which can help encourage optimal positioning of the baby. Eat well, stay hydrated, and rest as much as possible — labour can be long and demanding, and your energy reserves matter. Ensure your partner or support person is on standby and that you have a clear plan for getting to your chosen place of birth at any time of day or night.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding
- Sudden decrease in baby movements (fewer than 10 in 2 hours)
- Severe headache or seeing spots
- Swelling of face, hands, or sudden leg swelling
- Leaking or gushing of amniotic fluid
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks (every 10 minutes)
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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