Week 37

What to expect at
37 weeks

Your baby is the size of a canary melon.

Baby’s Kicking and Moving
At 37 weeks pregnant, your baby’s lungs are likely mature — but that doesn’t mean he/she is finished growing yet. In fact, until the end of week 38 he/she is technically considered “early term,” and is still packing on about a half a pound a week. At this age, the average fetus weighs about six-and-a-half pounds — though boys are likely to be heavier at birth than girls. That makes it a little crowded in your uterus, so he/she may not be kicking as much, though probably stretching, rolling a bit and wiggling (all of which you’ll be able to feel!).

Practice Makes Perfect
Right now, your newest addition is rehearsing for his/her big debut by simulating breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking his/her thumb, blinking and pivoting from side to side. This practice is helping your little one learn how to live outside the womb.

That’s a HUGE Head
Did you know that at birth your babies head will be the same size as their rib cage? Both the head and chest will measure around the same size, talk about a big head! So at this time that little head is getting bigger and bigger each day. Your baby is also experiencing an abundance of fat deposits. Fat is causing your little one to get those cute little elbow and knee dimples, along with folds in the neck.

Your body at 37 weeks

Pelvic Pain
This will occur the more your little one starts to push on your pelvis as these next few weeks go by. Try to do what you can to get comfortable and remember to breath. This will increase to more severe pain as you get closer to labor. You may also experience pain in the low back and hips as your hips start to widen in preparation for baby.

Stretch Marks
With your body growing to a new size you might start to notice stretch marks around your boobs, belly and butt. If you start to notice these don’t worry they will get smaller and fade a few months after childbirth. If you want to avoid stretch marks putting oil or lotion on will help make the skin more elastic and easier to stretch.

Pregnancy Brain
With so many things about to happen, it is no surprise that your brain is being pulled in a thousand different directions. Make sure to leave little reminders around for all the important things!