Pregnancy Week 37: Full Term — What to Expect as Labour Approaches

Quick answer: At 37 weeks your pregnancy is full term, so a baby born now is unlikely to need extra medical support. Your baby measures about 48.6cm and weighs around 2.9kg, with mature lungs. Watch for a show, waters breaking or regular strengthening contractions, and contact your maternity unit immediately if your waters break, you bleed, or your baby's movements change.

What parents need to know

Week 37 is a significant milestone: your pregnancy is now considered full term. This means that if your baby is born this week, they are unlikely to need any extra medical support and are expected to thrive. The final weeks of pregnancy can feel like a waiting game, but your body and baby are still busy with important final preparations.

How big is your baby at 37 weeks?

Your baby now measures approximately 48.6cm from crown to heel and weighs around 2.9 kilograms — roughly the weight of a large bunch of leeks. They are nearly at their birth weight and length, though every baby is different and yours may be larger or smaller.

What's happening with your baby?

Now that your baby is full term, their lungs are considered mature and ready for breathing air. The brain and nervous system continue to develop rapidly — this process continues long after birth and well into childhood. Your baby is now spending a lot of time in quiet, restful states as they conserve energy for the birth and the demands of the newborn period. The head may be settling deeper into your pelvis if it hasn't already, which can create increased pressure on the bladder (leading to more frequent trips to the toilet) but a welcome sense of relief from the breathlessness of earlier weeks.

Signs that labour is approaching

In the days or weeks before labour begins, you may notice several signs that your body is preparing. A 'show' — the passage of the mucus plug that has sealed the cervix during pregnancy — is a common early sign. It may come as a single lump or in smaller pieces and is often slightly blood-stained (this is normal). A show can precede labour by days or weeks. Your waters may break — this can be a dramatic gush or a slow trickle, and the fluid should be clear or slightly pinkish. If your waters break, contact your maternity unit for guidance. Contractions that are regular, become progressively stronger, and come closer together over time are the clearest sign that labour has begun.

When to contact your maternity unit

Contact your maternity unit immediately if: your waters break; you have any vaginal bleeding; you notice your baby's movements have reduced or changed; you have severe or sudden headaches, visual disturbances, or pain below your ribs (signs of pre-eclampsia); your contractions are regular and increasingly painful; or you have any concerns at all. Your maternity unit would always rather you call and be reassured than wait too long.

Preparing emotionally for birth

It's completely normal to feel anxious about labour and birth, particularly if it's your first baby. Talking to your midwife, attending antenatal classes, and speaking with other parents can all help. If anxiety is significant and affecting your daily life, speak to your GP or midwife, as support is available including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling.

Your week 37 checklist

This week:

• Know the signs of labour and when to call your maternity unit.
• Ensure your hospital bag is by the door.
• Install the car seat.
• Rest and eat well.
• Share any birth anxieties with your midwife.