37th week of pregnancy

The 37th week of pregnancy marks the beginning of the 10th and final month of your pregnancy. And an important milestone is reached at the end of this week: your baby is considered mature and would no longer be classified as a if born now. Find out here what else is happening this week and what you should keep in mind.

How big is your baby in the 37th week of pregnancy?

At 32 centimeters, your baby is about the size of a Swiss chard this week. The crown-to-heel length is approximately 47 centimeters.

37th week of pregnancy: What's changing for you

No question: the last weeks of pregnancy are uncomfortable, and it takes you longer than usual for many things. At the same time, the anticipation of your baby is growing, and you may be feeling a bit impatient. Even if it's difficult, try to stay calm and rest as much as possible before the birth – your baby will come when the time is right. By the way, did you know that only 5 % of all children actually see the light of day on their ?

Besides the restlessness, it is probably mainly physical discomforts that are bothering you this week. Your uterus presses on the organs, which can lead to nausea, lower abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Hormones also continue to loosen the ligaments and your baby bump pulls forward in the last month of pregnancy, which automatically results in the typical "penguin walk" of pregnancy. Sometimes your belly may harden from time to time, and you may feel a pulling sensation in your back or groin. These are the , which help your baby to settle deeper into your pelvis. But not every pregnant woman feels the Braxton Hicks contractions, so don't worry if you (still) don't notice anything.

Signs of labor

You are probably wondering now: How can I tell that the ? There are some signs from your body indicating that it will happen soon. This includes the loss of the mucus plug, which dissolves as the cervix gradually opens. You might recognize it by increased discharge or thick mucus, white or with traces of blood. However, it is also possible that you do not consciously notice the loss of the mucus plug at all. Another sign of impending labor is the rupture of the amniotic sac. Unlike in movies, this usually does not happen suddenly and dramatically, but rather in small drops. In the video, midwife Sissi from LILLYDOO explains what other signs may indicate labor and when you should head to the hospital.

37th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby

Your baby weighs approximately 2,900 grams this week and gains another 20 to 50 grams each day. The layer of fat it is now building helps it regulate its temperature outside of your body after birth. With the completion of the 37th week of pregnancy, your baby is also considered to be mature. The development of its organs is complete, and it has reached lung maturity, so if it were to be born now, it would no longer be considered premature. In preparation for birth, the protective vernix caseosa is gradually dissolving, and your baby is losing its remaining lanugo hair. Both are released into the amniotic fluid, ingested by your baby, and further stimulate its intestinal activity. After birth, everything is expelled with the , the so-called meconium. Many babies also already have a tuft of hair on their head, which can be up to 2.5 centimeters long by the time of birth. The hair color, with which they are born, can change again after birth, as can their , which only develops fully under the influence of light.

This is now important

• Now is the right time to double-check whether your hospital bag also contains everything important. It's best to have it ready together with the car seat for your little explorer's first trip, next to the door.

• If you and your partner are feeling anxious about the upcoming birth, it can help to plan the route to the hospital in advance or even do a test drive. You or your partner can also save the clinic's phone number in your mobile phone in case you need to hurry and want to notify them of your arrival.

• Enjoy a relaxing baby bump massage during the final stages of your pregnancy . It can help with back pain and tension, and provides you and your partner the opportunity to bond with your baby.

With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, which also in exchange with our