Week 37 of pregnancy (Days 259-265)

Your baby is now considered full term and is likely to be born between 37 and 42 weeks. Your baby should be consistently moving 10 times a day.

Pregnancy Diary

A Guide to each week of your pregnancy, with details on your baby’s growth, your body and symptoms to look out for.

  • 4

    Your baby is no longer a zygote or a single cell. The cells have multiplied rapidly and now the embryo is taking shape.

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  • 9

    From week 9 you can have Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening, to assess your risk of Down's Syndrome and other conditions.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 13

    This week marks the end of the first trimester, and the risk of miscarrage reduces dramatically.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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1st Trimester

 

Maternal Weight Gain

7cm long
  • 14

    Your baby now measures around 8cm, from crown to rump and weighs around 40g.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 22

    Your growing baby now measures 28cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 350g.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 28

    Your growing baby now measures 38cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 1kg.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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2nd Trimester

 

Maternal Weight Gain

40g - 1kg
  • 29

    Your growing baby now measures 39cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 1.1kg.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 36

    Your growing baby now measures up to 47.5cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 2.7kg.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 40

    Your baby is now considered full term and will not normally gain much weight at this point.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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3rd Trimester

 

Maternal Weight Gain

1.1kg - 3.5kg

Baby

Now weighing approximately 2.9kg and measuring around 47.5cm from crown to heel, the final growth spurt is continuing and will do so until delivery. It is likely that the fetal position will not change from now on and, most commonly, the fetus will now be head-down with the head resting in your pelvic cavity and surrounded by your pelvic bones.

Fetal movements are becoming more limited due to restricted space in the uterus. It is now less likely that the fetus will kick, however there will still wriggles, and squirms. Amniotic fluid continues to be inhaled and exhaled to prepare the lungs to take their first breath.

Although all babies will now have eyebrows and eyelashes, the amount of hair on the head varies from baby to baby. Some babies are born with no hair at all, while others have a full head of hair with a length of up to 3.5cm. The lanugo – the downy body hair – and vernix – the greasy protective coating – that previously covered the entire body, will now have almost completely been shed.

Some babies are born with a little of the vernix remaining on their body, but this is no cause for concern. Both the lanugo and the vernix will be shed into the amniotic fluid and will be swallowed by the baby. They will be digested, stored in the bowel and will form part of the meconium – the first bowel movement – after birth.

You

Getting plenty of rest and trying to relax as much as possible are important during the final weeks of pregnancy. Resting can help to alleviate common symptoms such as varicose veins and swelling in the legs, ankles and feet and relaxing can help to combat stress headaches, which many women suffer throughout their pregnancy.

During your routine antenatal appointments, your midwife may examine you to check for signs that your cervix is beginning to dilate (open) and if effacement –thinning of the cervix - is occurring. These are both signs that your body is preparing for labour, but they do not necessarily mean that labour is imminent. In some women, these processes occur very gradually and take place over a number of days or even weeks, while in other women, labour can follow within hours of the beginning of the dilation of the cervix.

A key sign that labour is imminent that some women experience is a ‘show’. The blood vessels of the cervix may begin to rupture as it dilates, causing a pinkish or brownish mucous to be discharged from the vagina. Having a ‘show’ is a strong indication of the onset of labour.

Labour could start at any time from now on so many women like to make sure that they are well prepared. Having a bag packed with all the things that you and your baby will need, making sure that you can contact your birthing partner if you have one, and ensuring that you have a plan of how to get to the hospital, if you are having a hospital birth, are all ways in which you can prepare.

Symptoms to watch out for

Movement of the baby remains very important. There should be ten movements a day which are changing from kicking to rolling. Headache, swelling, disturbances of vision and swelling of the ankles and face remain as possible signs of pre-eclampsia. Itching of the hands and feet suggests obstetric cholestasis. Contractions of the tummy may become more frequent and painful. This may be associated with change in vaginal discharge. There may be pressure in the pelvis when upright and walking. If your waters break you should tell the midwife especially if it is not a normal straw coloured fluid.

What is routinely offered on NHS

Any of the above symptoms should prompt a review by the midwife or doctor. Serious concern might prompt admission to hospital for observation.

What other care is available

An additional scan, midwife or consultant opinion can be accessed in a private clinic. There is no need for a referral letter. This can help you with decisions about delivery. You can have more time to discuss. In a private clinic you can have a swab to screen for Group B Streptococcus.

In preparation for the first few days with your newborn baby, you can have a consultation with a breastfeeding consultant.When choosing a breastfeeding consultant, look for one that is accredited by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) as a measure of experience.

Women who are having a private Caesarean section may book this at this time.

Ultrasound image of Doppler blood flow to the placenta at 37 weeks.

Pregnancy and Gynaecological Ultrasound Scans Available

Longer Appointments - Time to discuss choices with our expert staff

Clinic Locations

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LONDON CLINIC

Ground Floor,
32 Wimpole Street
London W1G 8GT

Nearest Underground Tube Stations

Bond Street
Oxford Circus

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CHESHIRE CLINIC

Alderley Edge Medical Centre, Talbot Road, Alderley Edge,
Cheshire, SK9 7HR

Nearest Overground Train Station Alderley Edge

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Wimpole Street, London

The Birth Company
Ground Floor
32 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8GT

020 7725 0528
[email protected]

Wimpole Street, London Opening Times

Mon 08:00 - 20:00
Tue 08:00 - 20:00
Wed 08:00 - 20:00
Thu 08:00 - 20:00
Fri 08:00 - 18:00
Sat 09:00 - 16:00
Sun 10:00 - 14:00

Alderley Edge, Cheshire

The Birth Company
Alderley Edge Medical Centre,
Talbot Road,
Alderley Edge
Cheshire
SK9 7HR

01625 70 40 80
[email protected]

Alderley Edge, Cheshire Opening Times

Mon 09:00 - 17:00
Tue 09:00 - 17:00
Wed 09:00 - 17:00
Thu 09:00 - 17:00
Fri 09:00 - 17:00
Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (On selected dates)
Sun Closed
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