Baby Developing 37 weeks pregnancy

Fetal Development


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Week Thirty Seven: Pregnancy is considered 'at term'

  
You are 37 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 35 weeks)
  • Typically, baby now measures 19.5 inches (50 cm) from the head to the heel.
  • Baby weighs up to 7 pounds or 3 kilograms.
  • The head diameter is over 3.5 inches (9cm).
  • The water could break at any time.
  • If it does happen, see a doctor immediately.
37 weeksGaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. Keep up those exercises, especially your Kegels. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles toned will aid in a quicker recovery from the birth. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when baby stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.

Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you are now considered 'at term'. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labour once it starts, even if it is before your 40th week. You may notice a bit more vaginal discharge and/or cervical mucus.

If you go into labor at this point your careprovider may not try to stop it.
So what are the signs that your labor may be starting?
  • Regular contractions that grow longer, stronger and closer together.
  • Contractions that are not affected significantly by a change in your activity level.
  • A trickle or gush of fluid from your vagina.
  • A regular, rhythmic backache.
If you have any of these signs, contact your doctor/careprovider immediately.

Fewer than 5% of births occur on the due date; 50% of births are within a week of the due date, and almost 90% within 2 weeks.

Have you packed a bag ready for the birth ?

Extra Note

"At term"

The World Health Organization defines normal term for delivery as between 37 weeks and 42 weeks.
( Pregnancy is considered 'at term' between 37 and 42 weeks -
- a baby born before 37 weeks is preterm [premature] and after 42 is post-term.)

If natural labor starts before 37 weeks; doctors will most likely try to delay it.

If natural labor starts after 37 weeks; doctors may not try to delay it.

Those women, having elective repeat cesarean section at 37 weeks gestation, are said to be more prone to produce babies having grave health issues. Because elective cesareans can be scheduled to accommodate patient and physician convenience, there is a risk that they may be performed earlier than is appropriate.

Women should be adequately counseled and informed of the various health complications that may be avoided with delayed deliveries.


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