Pregnancy Week By Week

37 Weeks Pregnant: Development, Symptoms and Care

At 37 weeks pregnant, labour may be on your mind, but reaching this week does not tell you when it will start. Keep following your individual care plan and make contact if you think your waters have broken, labour is starting or something does not feel right.

Your baby’s development at 37 weeks

Your baby continues to gain weight and looks much like a newborn. You may feel hiccups as small rhythmic jumps. These developmental details do not tell you exactly when birth will happen or replace attention to your baby’s usual movements.

Body changes and how you are feeling

Frequent trips to the toilet and an uncomfortable sleeping position can make rest difficult. Continue starting every sleep on either side, including naps; if you wake on your back, roll onto your side. Ask about persistent pain or sleep problems rather than assuming you must just endure them.

Some extra vaginal discharge can occur, but a watery leak, bleeding, an unusual smell or discomfort needs advice. If you feel low, overwhelmed or persistently worried, tell your GP or midwife. You do not have to wait until after birth to get emotional support.

Movements should continue through birth

There is no single daily kick count for every baby. Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit immediately if movement reduces, becomes weaker or changes in a way that concerns you. Babies should continue to move right up to and during birth.

Do not wait overnight or use a home Doppler, food or drink for reassurance. If your care team cannot be reached, attend a hospital maternity or emergency unit. Being close to the due date does not explain away reduced movement.

Contractions, a show and waters breaking

Labour contractions usually become stronger, longer and more regular, but patterns differ. Call your care team if you think labour has started, need support with pain or are unsure what to do. Follow your individual travel advice, especially if you live far from the hospital or have a planned caesarean.

A show is mucus that may contain a small amount of blood. It does not give an exact birth time. Do not assume bleeding is a show: contact your maternity team immediately if you have vaginal bleeding or are uncertain about what you are seeing. Heavy bleeding means calling 000.

If you think your waters have broken, call straight away even without contractions. Tell the team when it happened and what the fluid looks and smells like. Do not wait for a larger gush or a particular contraction interval before seeking advice.

Agree on the next steps

Review your GBS result or risk-factor plan and make sure the maternity team can access it. Ask whom to call overnight and what to do if your usual contact cannot be reached.

Talk with your support person about what helps you feel heard: clear explanations, privacy, a calm voice or help asking questions. You can change your preferences during labour. Our prenatal care guide can help you prepare for that conversation.

When to seek medical help

In Australia, call 000 for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or collapse, or if birth seems imminent and you cannot reach your planned place of birth safely. Do not drive yourself if faint or very unwell.

Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit immediately for vaginal bleeding, suspected waters breaking, fever, vomiting that prevents drinking, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or pain under your ribs. Seek urgent care if your usual team is unavailable.