Pregnancy Week 37 – Beginning Of Full-Term Pregnancy

The weeks from 37-41 of pregnancy period are considered as full term pregnancy times.

During this time, labor pains are perfectly normal and desirable. Some changes that will occur during this week in you and your baby include:

What are the physical changes that occur in your body during pregnancy week 37?

Regular prenatal checkups are very important during this time. Your doctor or midwives will assess the possibility of where you are relative to your upcoming birthing process. Now you are in the phase that can turn into labor at any time.

The indicators such as loose stools, ejecting the mucus, increased Braxton-Hicks contractions, and a dilated cervix are all the signs that warn you about the labor. For some pregnant women, infamous water breaking may or may not be the  early signs of labor. But, water breakage takes place only in 15% of the pregnant women.

If the labor does not begin during this week or next week, then remember that only 4-5% of the pregnant women actually deliver on their expected due date. If this is the first pregnancy for you, then you can suppose to be somewhere from two days to two weeks late. Keep track of the fetal movements and reassure that all is going well with your little one.

Do you know what is meant by inducing labor? Sometimes, it will be necessary to induce the labor. Various reasons can lead to this condition such as pre eclampsia, gestational diabetes, bleeding or being overdue.

If your doctor decides to induce the labor, then he will use a pitocin drip. This stimulates the contractions and also maintains them steady. Most of the pregnant women find that pitocin drips lead to stronger than normal contractions.

During this time, you will experience more vaginal discharge than before and it has more cervical mucus in it as your body prepares for the labor.

The movements of your baby become less by this week onwards and if you notice less than 10 kicks for 12 hours, then call your midwife to check things out.

What are the changes that occur in the fetus during pregnancy week 37?

• By this week, your baby is about the size of 21 inches long and weighs up to 6.5 pounds.
• Your baby will be able to produce the hormone named as cortisone, which helps the lungs mature enough to handle breathing on his own.
• If your baby is born after this week, then he/she will be considered as full term.
• Your baby will acquire enough coordination to grasp the things with his/her own fingers.
• Your little one is very much busy in practicing the breathing patterns preparing for the life outside of your womb.
• The baby’s grasp becomes firm and he/she will turn towards light.
• By this week, all the internal organs are well developed and the reflexes are fully functional.

Fact for pregnancy week 37:

If you are a first time mother, then it will be quite confusing for you about what to pack in the bag. Women who want to give birth outside of the home, it is a good idea to pack the necessary things before they experience the first contraction.

The bag should include: necessary clothing for you and your baby, snacks, prescribed medications, camera, necessary toiletries, mindless reading material, and other optional items such as CD player, massage oil, candy to keep your mouth moist and extra food if you don’t feel comfortable with the hospital food.

Related Posts:

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2. Pregnancy Week 27: Beginning Of Third Trimester
3. Pregnancy Week 39 – Only One Week To Go
4. Pregnancy Week 34 – Breathing Becomes Easier From This Week Onwards
5. Placenta Previa – A Condition Resulting In Pre-term Delivery
6. Post-term Pregnancies Risk Infant’s Life And Health