baby born at 37 weeks picture?

37
weeks
pregnant
36
38
Kate Marple
By Kate Marple
| animated_fact_check Medically reviewed by Judith Venuti, Ph.D., embryologist
| July 22, 2020

Baby Development
Pregnancy Symptoms Week 37
Pregnancy Checklist

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Highlights this week
No slowing down

Less room shouldn't mean fewer kicks so call your provider if you notice a decrease.
Signs of labor

You'll know you're in labor when your contractions are getting stronger, longer, and more frequent.
Installing your car seat

Most people get it wrong. Go to an inspection station with certified technicians who can teach you how to install it properly.
37 weeks is how many months?

You're in your ninth month!
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Baby development at 37 weeks

Not full-term yet

Your due date is getting close now, but doctors don't consider your baby "full term" until 39 weeks. Spending the next two weeks in the womb allows your baby's brain and lungs to fully mature. So if you're planning to have a c-section, for example, your doctor will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks, unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.

Baby hair: What to expect

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. Of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz. Don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. In any case, it may all fall out and grow back a different color.

Still kicking

Because it's so snug in your womb, your baby isn't doing a lot of somersaults anymore, but the amount of kicking should remain about the same.
Your baby at 37 weeks Tap the plus for more details
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Your baby is about the size of a bunch of Swiss chard
bunch of swiss chard
LENGTH
19.02
inches
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head to toe
WEIGHT
6.68
pounds
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Pregnancy symptoms during week 37

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable.

Vaginal discharge or spotting

You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away – or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your doctor or midwife immediately.)

Lots of kicking

Keep monitoring your baby's movements, and let your healthcare provider know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though your baby’s quarters are getting cozy, he should still be as active as before.

Don't see your symptom?
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
dear baby, I love you with all of my belly, I’d say heart but my belly is much bigger
baby in womb at 37 weeks, quite cramped in womb
Your body at 37 weeks Tap the plus for more details
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Pregnancy checklist at 37 weeks

Know what to do when labor starts

Ask your doctor or midwife for a clear set of guidelines for when to call and when to head to the hospital or birth center.

Make a baby watch list

Figure out who you'll want to tell right after your baby arrives (or when you go into labor) and how you'll spread the word. You might post updates on your social media accounts, call, text, or email the big news.
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37 weeks pregnant bellies
37 weeks pregnant bellies
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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

ACOG. 2015. FAQ156. Prenatal development: How your baby grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Prenatal-Development-How-Your-Baby-Grows-During-Pregnancy#one [Accessed May 2019]

ACOG. 2011. FAQ004. How to tell when labor begins. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/How-to-Tell-When-Labor-Begins [Accessed May 2019]

Mayo Clinic. 2015. Fetal development: The third trimester. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20045997 [Accessed May 2019]

MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2015. Fetal development. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm [Accessed May 2019]

OWH. 2010. Labor and birth. U.S. Office on Women’s Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/labor-birth.html [Accessed May 2019]
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Kate Marple
Kate Marple
Kate Marple is a writer and editor who specializes in health, pregnancy, and parenting content. She's passionate about translating complicated medical information into helpful pregnancy and parenting advice that's easy to understand. She lives in San Francisco with her family.