Pregnancy Information Center
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Your Third Trimester - Week 37
Week 37
What's Happening To Your Body
Your doctor or midwife may check to see if cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation (opening of the cervix) has begun. You may experience lightening, which is when the baby drops lower in your pelvic area in preparation for birth.
Your appetite may return because the baby is no longer putting as much pressure on your stomach and intestines, and if you've been experiencing heartburn, the baby's descent may somewhat alleviate it.
Now that you're close to your due date, be sure to keep your cell phone with you at all times and have your partner or labor coach do the same, so that you're prepared in case you go into labor early.
What's Happening To Your Baby
Your baby is the size of a leek. Your baby measures approximately 19.1 inches (48.6 cm) long from head to heel and weighs about 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg) or roughly the weight of a small watermelon.
Your baby is now considered full term, meaning that it can be born any day. However, this doesn't mean your baby will stop growing. Quite the opposite — your little one continues to add fat to its body at the rate of half an ounce (14.2 grams) a day. If labor starts now, your doctor won't do anything to delay it. Your baby is ready to make its entrance into the world!
Read This Next: Week 38
In Case You Missed It: Week 36
| Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center |
 What Is Hepatitis C? Learn about this treatable virus. |
 Diagnosing Hepatitis C Getting tested for this viral infection. |
 Just Diagnosed? Here’s What’s Next 3 key steps to getting on treatment. |
 Understanding Hepatitis C Treatment 4 steps to getting on therapy. |
 Your Guide to Hep C Treatments What you need to know about Hep C drugs. |
 Managing Side Effects of Treatment How the drugs might affect you. |
 Making Hep C Treatment a Success These tips may up your chances of a cure. |
