You are now 37 weeks pregnant, which is the beginning of week 38. With about three weeks to go, your baby could weigh the average weight of 3.1kg (6 lbs 13 oz) and measure around 48.5 cm long (19 inches) or be smaller or larger. Babies born after 37 weeks are regarded as being born on time or 'at term'.
Your baby now has a good proportion of fat on their body, increasing from only 30 grams at 30 weeks, to around 430 grams at term (approximately 16% of their total body weight). Some physical signs that indicate your baby is born on time is having small pads of breast tissue under their nipples (in both boys and girls) and fingernails reaching the tips of the fingers, often looking manicured!
Common symptoms to look out for:
Is it a show?
During the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, or a few days before labour begins, the mucus show (or plug) may come away as the cervix starts to soften and ripen in preparation for labour. Bear in mind that having a show is not necessary before labour starts and many women pass their show during the birth process. Also, you don't necessarily need to have a show before the waters break.
A show is generally very thick and can be clear or grey, pink, brown or blood-stained in colour. It can come away in small dribs and drabs over a few days, perhaps noticed when you wipe yourself with toilet paper. Or it may come out in one large blob, sometimes large enough to fill your hand. Both these are normal. In some cases labour starts within 24 hours or so (but not always!).
Labour starting?
The question of how labour starts is not yet completely answered, but there are a few schools of thought including:
The baby releasing hormones when they realise it is 'time' as the uterine space becomes smaller (with lessening amniotic fluid) and/or the placenta starting to function at less than its peak.
Hormones being released by both mother and baby.
Hormonal feedback from the placenta.
A number of the above factors, or something else we haven't discovered yet!
There is some research that supports the theory that an unborn baby's brain sends chemical messages to their mother's body when they are ready to be born. It is still unclear how this actually works, or what triggers the messages to be sent. When labour does begin, the woman releases the hormone oxytocin from her brain, which makes her uterus contract in a rhythmic pattern.
Did you know? A woman's uterus is much more sensitive to her natural oxytocin hormone at night. Hence the reason why most labours start once the sun goes down!
Emotional reactions
Conflicting emotions are quite normal just before the birth. You may feel relieved because you have had enough of being pregnant and the discomforts that go with it. Or you may feel comfortable with your known state and perhaps unsure about moving forward into the labour and birth (or even parenting). If this is your first baby, the birth can present many questions and concerns about the unknown path that lies ahead.
Talk about your feelings with your caregiver and/or partner (if you have one), or with someone else you trust. Sometimes labour does not start until you feel you have resolved your feelings to some degree and are emotionally ready to have your baby.
Other considerations
Your baby now has a good proportion of fat on their body, increasing from only 30 grams at 30 weeks, to around 430 grams at term (approximately 16% of their total body weight). Some physical signs that indicate your baby is born on time is having small pads of breast tissue under their nipples (in both boys and girls) and fingernails reaching the tips of the fingers, often looking manicured!
Your baby's overall growth slows down considerably now. They do not grow as much in length and put on approximately 230 grams per week (about an ounce a day). Also, the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby slightly decreases from around 37 weeks.
What is my body doing at 37 weeks?
Your doctor or midwife will start checking for signs of labour now, looking to see if your cervix is dilated (it needs to open to 10 centimetres in order for the baby to pass into the birth canal) as well as checking the consistency of the cervix, which will get softer before labour. You’ll also be checked for effacement, or how thin your cervix is (it’ll be super-thin before giving birth), the position of your cervix and the position of the baby in relation to your pelvis. The lower down your baby is, the closer you are to meeting her for the first time.
All these processes can take from a day to a month to occur, so while of course they’re helpful signs in determining how far along you are, they’re not concrete evidence of the actual start of labour. For example, some women who are very dilated may not give birth for weeks, while other women’s cervixes can go from being closed to open in a matter of hours.
If you go into labour now, you might feel crampy – a bit like you’re getting your period. You’ll also pass your mucus plug – it’ll either come out all at once in a lump, or you’ll get increased vaginal discharge over a few days. It might have brown, pink or red blood in it, especially if you’ve had sex, which is still perfectly safe at this stage. It’s because your cervix is softening in readiness for labour.
If you’re worried at all about any discharge or bleeding that doesn’t seem normal, speak to your doctor urgently. And if your waters break before your contractions have started, then you’ll be induced if they don’t start soon after to reduce the risk of infection. So whether your waters come out in out in a trickle or full flow, you must call your doctor or midwife straight away.
What is my body doing at 37 weeks?
Your doctor or midwife will start checking for signs of labour now, looking to see if your cervix is dilated (it needs to open to 10 centimetres in order for the baby to pass into the birth canal) as well as checking the consistency of the cervix, which will get softer before labour. You’ll also be checked for effacement, or how thin your cervix is (it’ll be super-thin before giving birth), the position of your cervix and the position of the baby in relation to your pelvis. The lower down your baby is, the closer you are to meeting her for the first time.
All these processes can take from a day to a month to occur, so while of course they’re helpful signs in determining how far along you are, they’re not concrete evidence of the actual start of labour. For example, some women who are very dilated may not give birth for weeks, while other women’s cervixes can go from being closed to open in a matter of hours.
If you go into labour now, you might feel crampy – a bit like you’re getting your period. You’ll also pass your mucus plug – it’ll either come out all at once in a lump, or you’ll get increased vaginal discharge over a few days. It might have brown, pink or red blood in it, especially if you’ve had sex, which is still perfectly safe at this stage. It’s because your cervix is softening in readiness for labour.
If you’re worried at all about any discharge or bleeding that doesn’t seem normal, speak to your doctor urgently. And if your waters break before your contractions have started, then you’ll be induced if they don’t start soon after to reduce the risk of infection. So whether your waters come out in out in a trickle or full flow, you must call your doctor or midwife straight away.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Not gaining weight: Yippee - another happy pregnancy symptom! Many women don’t gain any weight at all at this stage, which makes a change from the pound a week of gained weight you’ve come to expect from the third trimester.
- The baby not moving as much: If your baby is more quiet than usual, don’t worry: by the time her head is engaged in your pelvis, there’ll be a lot less room for her to dance around, with the only movements possible usually twisting and squirming. What’s important is to feel some movement every day. If you’re not feeling this, speak to your doctor or midwife.
- Insomnia: It may be harder than ever to nod off at night, so try to take it easier during the day. You’ll need to relax before the exhausting but beautiful whirlwind the baby will bring with her.
- Changing breasts: Just like your bellybutton probably became an outie, your nipples will also protrude more now, perfect for your baby to latch onto once she’s born.
- Water breaking: Whether your water breaks before or after contractions occur, this means labour is imminent. Whether you get a trickle or a gush, call your doctor or midwife to let them know the news.
Physical changes
Is it water or fluid?
Towards the end of pregnancy it is not unusual to produce extra mucus and fluid, which can pool and sometimes trickle away when you get up in the mornings. This can be mistaken for the waters breaking. If you are not sure, go to the toilet and empty your bladder (just to rule out that one as well!) and put on a white pad (to see any colour in the fluid). If fluid continues to come away within the next few hours, it is probably your waters and you need to contact your caregiver or hospital for advice.
Is it water or fluid?
Towards the end of pregnancy it is not unusual to produce extra mucus and fluid, which can pool and sometimes trickle away when you get up in the mornings. This can be mistaken for the waters breaking. If you are not sure, go to the toilet and empty your bladder (just to rule out that one as well!) and put on a white pad (to see any colour in the fluid). If fluid continues to come away within the next few hours, it is probably your waters and you need to contact your caregiver or hospital for advice.
Is it a show?
During the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, or a few days before labour begins, the mucus show (or plug) may come away as the cervix starts to soften and ripen in preparation for labour. Bear in mind that having a show is not necessary before labour starts and many women pass their show during the birth process. Also, you don't necessarily need to have a show before the waters break.
A show is generally very thick and can be clear or grey, pink, brown or blood-stained in colour. It can come away in small dribs and drabs over a few days, perhaps noticed when you wipe yourself with toilet paper. Or it may come out in one large blob, sometimes large enough to fill your hand. Both these are normal. In some cases labour starts within 24 hours or so (but not always!).
Labour starting?
The question of how labour starts is not yet completely answered, but there are a few schools of thought including:
The baby releasing hormones when they realise it is 'time' as the uterine space becomes smaller (with lessening amniotic fluid) and/or the placenta starting to function at less than its peak.
Hormones being released by both mother and baby.
Hormonal feedback from the placenta.
A number of the above factors, or something else we haven't discovered yet!
There is some research that supports the theory that an unborn baby's brain sends chemical messages to their mother's body when they are ready to be born. It is still unclear how this actually works, or what triggers the messages to be sent. When labour does begin, the woman releases the hormone oxytocin from her brain, which makes her uterus contract in a rhythmic pattern.
Did you know? A woman's uterus is much more sensitive to her natural oxytocin hormone at night. Hence the reason why most labours start once the sun goes down!
Emotional reactions
Conflicting emotions are quite normal just before the birth. You may feel relieved because you have had enough of being pregnant and the discomforts that go with it. Or you may feel comfortable with your known state and perhaps unsure about moving forward into the labour and birth (or even parenting). If this is your first baby, the birth can present many questions and concerns about the unknown path that lies ahead.
Talk about your feelings with your caregiver and/or partner (if you have one), or with someone else you trust. Sometimes labour does not start until you feel you have resolved your feelings to some degree and are emotionally ready to have your baby.
Other considerations
Sweeping the membranes
Some caregivers suggest performing internal examinations at each pregnancy visit during the final weeks to 'sweep' (or strip) the membranes, sometimes referred to as a 'strip and stretch'. This aims to ripen the cervix and make it more favourable, in the hope of preventing an induction of labour. Sweeping the membranes is an old induction method that was first documented in 1810. Studies show there is some statistical advantage to having this performed routinely (for about 15% of women), although the benefits are small and unpredictable. This must be weighed against the discomfort it can cause and an increased chance of accidentally breaking the waters. Not every caregiver does it and you can decline it if you wish.
Your new baby
Baby soon after birth
The first moments after birth are monumental for your baby. As soon as they leave the womb, they 'switch over' to adjust to life independently from their mother's body.
The Apgar score was designed to standardise the way caregivers evaluated the baby's physical well-being at birth. They use five physical signs and give each a possible score of 0, 1 or 2, to reach a total assessment of up to 10 points. The score is usually given when the baby is 1 minute old and again at 5 minutes of age. However, if the baby takes longer to fully breathe and respond the scoring may continue, given again at 7 minutes and possibly also at 10 minutes.
Newborn appearance and behaviour
Seeing your baby for the first time can bring up many emotions including awe, love and sometimes surprise. Many parents are unprepared for the image of a possibly red, puffy, swollen face of their new creation. If you have had little exposure to newborns, you should prepare yourself for the fact that your baby may initially look very different from the perfect cherub.
Routine procedures
Most newborns are born healthy, however some require interventions to help them adjust to independent life
Weighing, measuring and bathing
When a baby is born and excitement fills the room there is often an urge to ring everyone with the good news! Apart from "Congratulations!" the inevitable question comes, "How heavy is he or she?" This prompts parents to ask for their baby to be weighed.
Observations for baby
A few babies are born well and healthy, but may require further observations because they have certain risk factors that caregivers consider could increase their chances of becoming unwell in the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.
Some caregivers suggest performing internal examinations at each pregnancy visit during the final weeks to 'sweep' (or strip) the membranes, sometimes referred to as a 'strip and stretch'. This aims to ripen the cervix and make it more favourable, in the hope of preventing an induction of labour. Sweeping the membranes is an old induction method that was first documented in 1810. Studies show there is some statistical advantage to having this performed routinely (for about 15% of women), although the benefits are small and unpredictable. This must be weighed against the discomfort it can cause and an increased chance of accidentally breaking the waters. Not every caregiver does it and you can decline it if you wish.
Your new baby
Baby soon after birth
The first moments after birth are monumental for your baby. As soon as they leave the womb, they 'switch over' to adjust to life independently from their mother's body.
The Apgar score was designed to standardise the way caregivers evaluated the baby's physical well-being at birth. They use five physical signs and give each a possible score of 0, 1 or 2, to reach a total assessment of up to 10 points. The score is usually given when the baby is 1 minute old and again at 5 minutes of age. However, if the baby takes longer to fully breathe and respond the scoring may continue, given again at 7 minutes and possibly also at 10 minutes.
Newborn appearance and behaviour
Seeing your baby for the first time can bring up many emotions including awe, love and sometimes surprise. Many parents are unprepared for the image of a possibly red, puffy, swollen face of their new creation. If you have had little exposure to newborns, you should prepare yourself for the fact that your baby may initially look very different from the perfect cherub.
Routine procedures
Most newborns are born healthy, however some require interventions to help them adjust to independent life
Weighing, measuring and bathing
When a baby is born and excitement fills the room there is often an urge to ring everyone with the good news! Apart from "Congratulations!" the inevitable question comes, "How heavy is he or she?" This prompts parents to ask for their baby to be weighed.
Observations for baby
A few babies are born well and healthy, but may require further observations because they have certain risk factors that caregivers consider could increase their chances of becoming unwell in the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.
What to do this week:
Feeling like you want to make your house into the perfect little home for your baby? Welcome to the nesting instinct! From scrubbing the grouting in your bathroom with a toothbrush to rearranging every item in your kitchen cupboard in size order, or even dismantling door handles so you can disinfect the screws, when this instinct hits you, nothing will stand in your way. Not even a bewildered partner. Essentially, it’s a primal need to prepare a ‘nest’ for the new baby, and organise your world.
Although of course it’s not harmful to spend your days cleaning (if you must!), there’s some things you should be aware of first. If you’ve got the urge to redecorate, then stay away from oil based paints, old paint that may contain lead and some latex paints that contain mercury. Most water-based ones can be used but always check the label and wear protective clothes or gloves. Fancy disinfecting your house top to bottom? Check the safety of the products you’re using. For example, avoid oven cleaners and dry cleaning products, and never mix ammonia with chlorine-based products like bleach, as the combination produces toxic fumes.
Wear rubber gloves when cleaning and try not to breathe strong fumes. And if you have a cat then use gloves to clean the litter box, or get someone else to do it while you’re pregnant. Cat faeces can cause toxoplasmosis (a rare, very serious blood infection that can cause birth defects). And it might be a good idea to stay away from gardening if your cat goes to the loo outside, or if you know neighbourhood moggies use your garden as a public toilet.
Feeling like you want to make your house into the perfect little home for your baby? Welcome to the nesting instinct! From scrubbing the grouting in your bathroom with a toothbrush to rearranging every item in your kitchen cupboard in size order, or even dismantling door handles so you can disinfect the screws, when this instinct hits you, nothing will stand in your way. Not even a bewildered partner. Essentially, it’s a primal need to prepare a ‘nest’ for the new baby, and organise your world.
Although of course it’s not harmful to spend your days cleaning (if you must!), there’s some things you should be aware of first. If you’ve got the urge to redecorate, then stay away from oil based paints, old paint that may contain lead and some latex paints that contain mercury. Most water-based ones can be used but always check the label and wear protective clothes or gloves. Fancy disinfecting your house top to bottom? Check the safety of the products you’re using. For example, avoid oven cleaners and dry cleaning products, and never mix ammonia with chlorine-based products like bleach, as the combination produces toxic fumes.
Wear rubber gloves when cleaning and try not to breathe strong fumes. And if you have a cat then use gloves to clean the litter box, or get someone else to do it while you’re pregnant. Cat faeces can cause toxoplasmosis (a rare, very serious blood infection that can cause birth defects). And it might be a good idea to stay away from gardening if your cat goes to the loo outside, or if you know neighbourhood moggies use your garden as a public toilet.
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