Is the 37th week of pregnancy a premature birth? Could lower abdominal pain at 37 weeks of pregnancy be a sign of labor commencing? How do I find out what to pack for the hospital? What is the weight of the baby at 37 weeks of pregnancy and what does a little man look like in mom's belly? If you are interested in the course of the 37th week of pregnancy, read on.
37 weeks pregnant: delivery is just around the corner!
If a woman has entered her 37th week of pregnancy (36.1-37 weeks), she is in her 9th month, which is the last stage of the third trimester . Labor can occur at any time, as only 5% of babies are born on their due date, calculated based on the date of their last menstrual period.
Physiologically, the pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, but after the 37th week of pregnancy is completed, it is officially considered full-term, and babies born at this time are no longer premature babies.
Your delivery bag should already be ready and stored in an easily accessible, familiar place. At 37 weeks pregnant, it's a good idea to gather your latest test results, blood types, and pregnancy report in one place. If you're wondering exactly what to pack for yourself and your newborn, you can find a list of all the necessary accessories and clothing for your hospital on its official website, in the appropriate section. You'll also find a list of test results required for hospital admission.
If you're seriously considering an epidural (administered during the second stage of labor) at 37 weeks' gestation, check the website of your chosen facility to see if they offer it. You'll also find information about the methods of labor pain relief offered by the facility (e.g., TENS or nitrous oxide) and alternative labor options, such as water birth. It's worth finding out in advance what the hospital offers.
37 weeks of pregnancy: ultrasound pictures, baby's appearance and its movements in the mother's belly
The fetus at this stage of pregnancy measures approximately 47-50 cm and resembles the slightly slimmer newborn we associate with photos and videos. We can clearly see the baby's face, arms, and legs during an ultrasound, especially one performed using 3D or 4D technology.
Jwhat does the baby look like at 37 weeks of pregnancy?
The head has more or less abundant hair (this is genetically determined), plump cheeks, eyelashes, and eyebrows, and small, brittle nails on the fingers and toes. During this period, the baby uses its energy primarily for sleep and developing skills needed after birth, such as:
- suction;
- swallowing;
- blinking;
- respiration;
- or urination.
A baby's movements are limited in the 37th week of pregnancy due to limited space in the uterus. A lack of movement for several hours, even after a pregnant woman has eaten and then rested, should raise concerns. Abnormally increased activity may also indicate a fetal condition. Significantly abnormal movements in the 37th week of pregnancy should be discussed with a doctor and a hospital visit.
The weight of the child at 37 weeks of pregnancy
Just before giving birth, every pregnant woman is very curious about the weight of the baby she's carrying. Many women try to compare their little one with others, searching online for information on the baby's expected weight at 37 weeks of pregnancy. Forums on many parenting websites can provide ambiguous answers, some of which can cause unjustified fears in expectant mothers.
Instead of looking for information on internet portals about your child's development, it is best to talk to the doctor in charge of your pregnancy. He will most accurately determine the baby's weight at 37 weeks. The centiles (standardized percentile grids) will allow him to tell if the baby is gaining weight at the right pace.
Woman at 37 weeks of pregnancy: lower abdominal pain and predictive contractions
When searching for information about the 37th week of pregnancy, the forums of many parenting websites are full of questions about the course and signs of labor. Many women complain of lower abdominal pain during this period, especially around the pubic symphysis. As the uterus descends and the baby's head slowly inserts itself into the birth canal, pressure on the pubic symphysis, or even abdominal pain resembling a period, occurring during the 37th week of pregnancy, are symptoms that shouldn't cause concern.
It's important to find a comfortable position that minimizes discomfort, and remember that if labor does begin, lower abdominal pain will persist even after extended rest. Many pregnant women also worry that a hard abdomen at 37 weeks is a symptom of labor. This symptom is completely normal at this stage of pregnancy. There's no need to rush to the hospital immediately.
If you are concerned that you have a hard stomach at 37 weeks of pregnancy, there could be several reasons for this. First of all, such sensations can provoke predictive (Braxton-Hicks) contractions, which mean the uterus is preparing for the actual delivery. They are irregular, cause only discomfort (not severe pain) and gradually disappear with rest. They are not accompanied by other symptoms of the commencing labor. If the abdomen hardens more than 8 times a day, you should rest more and report these symptoms to your doctor at the next visit.
Symptoms of childbirth at 37 weeks of pregnancy
You already know what the predictive contractions look like, which many pregnant women mistake for the first stage of labor.
Delivery at 37 weeks of pregnancy is not considered premature, so if the delivery actually occurs at this time, you do not have to worry about your and your newborn's well-being.
Of course, it is best if she stays in mum's womb up to 40 tc, but a baby born in 37 weeks of pregnancy is usually fully prepared for independent functioning.
So how do you know when labor is about to begin?
A pregnant woman may observe:
- regular, painful uterine contractionsthat do not go away despite resting or taking a warm shower;
- intervals between contractions they become shorter and shorter (at the beginning they occur every 10-15 minutes, and then even every 3-5 minutes);
- contractions may radiate to the loins and groin, temporarily preventing the woman from talking or even collecting her thoughts.
What are the symptoms of childbirth in the 37th week of pregnancy?
In addition to the symptoms indicated above, the following may occur:
- Detachment of the mucus plug it may occur a few days or even 2 weeks before the onset of proper labor (sometimes the plug will not break off at all). So it is not a direct symptom of labor, but a signal that it may begin any day.
- There is also oozing or more rapid drainage of the amniotic fluid.
- It can also appear in a pregnant woman diarrhea and / or vomiting.
- If at 37 weeks of pregnancy contractions they appear regularly every 5 minutes, go to the hospital.
- We urgently go to the maternity ward also when it has happened greenish amniotic fluid, occurs bleeding from the genital tract, the pregnant woman complains of severe headache, high blood pressure i sudden gastric discomfort (this may indicate, among others, fetal hypoxia or pre-eclampsia).
Examination at 37 weeks of pregnancy
During the visit to the office, the doctor will assess the latest results of blood counts, general urine tests and perform an ultrasound, which will assess the well-being of the fetus and the condition of the placenta. He will also perform a gynecological examination, during which he will examine the length of the cervix and its possible dilation.
If the ultrasound shows that the baby has not yet turned head-down (the most optimal position for vaginal delivery is the head-down position), a surgical delivery , commonly called a cesarean section, may be necessary. At 37 weeks, the doctor will certainly inform the pregnant woman about any indications for a cesarean section.
Between 33 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, additional tests should be performed: HBs antigen, HIV, vaginal and rectal cultures (GBS); for women at risk, VDRL and HCV tests should also be performed . If they haven't been ordered earlier, now is the last chance to get them done by the recommended date.
Consultation :
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
