Our Baby Journey37 weeks pregnant
37 weeks pregnant is about 8½ months. It falls in the ninth month of pregnancy. You are in week 37 of 40, in the third trimester. Here is what is happening with your baby and your body this week.
Your baby is about the size of a swiss chard.
Length: about 48.6 cm (19.1 in) from crown to heel · Weight: about 2.9 kg (6.3 lb)
Your baby at 37 weeks
The baby is considered early term. It is practicing breathing, sucking, and gripping.
Your baby has reached early term. The lungs are producing plenty of surfactant, and in many babies they could manage breathing on their own, but the brain, lungs, and liver are still maturing. That is why, unless there is a medical reason, your care team generally prefers to wait for labor to start naturally rather than planning birth before 39 weeks.
Your baby is practicing for life after birth by sucking a thumb, gripping the umbilical cord, and turning toward light. Coordination between sucking, swallowing, and breathing is improving, which will help with feeding.
Your baby is now gaining mostly fat, and the body is filling out to match the head. Babies vary widely in size near term, and a healthy baby born from now on can weigh much more or less than average.
Your body at 37 weeks
You may lose your mucus plug and feel pressure low in your pelvis.
Your body is getting ready for labor. Your cervix may start to soften and thin, a process called ripening, which can happen gradually over days or weeks. Losing your mucus plug, a thick clump of mucus that may be clear, pink, or slightly blood-streaked, is a sign of these changes, but labor can still be hours to weeks away. You may also feel crampy, notice more low back ache, or have looser bowel movements. Many people feel a burst of energy and the urge to clean and organize, often called nesting. Use it wisely and save some energy for labor.
Your belly at week 37
In month 9 (weeks 36–40) your baby may drop lower into your pelvis, so your bump can look lower than before. This is more common in a first pregnancy. Breathing may get easier, but you will feel more pressure low in your belly and pelvis, and fundal height may stop increasing or dip slightly.
Belly size and shape vary a lot depending on your build, whether this is your first pregnancy, your baby's position and the amount of amniotic fluid. At checkups your doctor or midwife may measure your fundal height to track your baby's growth, and may arrange an ultrasound if the measurement is quite different from what they expect.
Symptoms at 37 weeks pregnant
- Losing the mucus plug
- Strong pressure low in the pelvis
- Period-like cramps or low back ache
- A sudden urge to nest and prepare
- Braxton Hicks that feel more intense
Checkups around week 37
Weekly visits are typical, though schedules vary by country. Your provider may check your baby's position, your blood pressure and urine, and, if you agree, may examine your cervix. If your Group B strep result is not yet available, the swab may be done now. This is a good time to confirm when to call or come in once labor starts.
Tips for week 37
- Know when to go to the hospital — ask your provider for their guidance.
- Stay active with gentle walks if you feel well.
- Keep monitoring your baby's movements.
Common symptoms in the third trimester
The third trimester runs from week 28 until birth, usually around week 40. Your baby gains most of their weight, their lungs mature, and your body prepares for labor. Not everyone has every symptom, and it is normal for symptoms to come and go. Common ones include:
- Shortness of breath as your uterus presses up on your diaphragm
- Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- Trouble sleeping and getting comfortable
- Pelvic pressure and pain
- Needing to urinate more often again
- Heartburn and back ache
Read the full third trimester guide.
When to call your doctor or midwife
Contact your healthcare provider or maternity unit straight away, or get emergency care, if you have:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
- A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
- Fluid leaking from your vagina
- Severe vomiting where you cannot keep fluids down
- Your baby moving less than usual or a change in their pattern of movements (later in pregnancy)
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Feeling very low, anxious, or having thoughts of harming yourself
Have a question about week 37?
Ask our AI pregnancy assistant about symptoms, nutrition, scans or anything else on your mind this week.
Frequently asked questions
How big is my baby at 37 weeks pregnant?
At 37 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a swiss chard. That is about 48.6 cm (19.1 in) from crown to heel, weighing about 2.9 kg (6.3 lb).
How big is my belly at week 37 of pregnancy?
In month 9 (weeks 36–40) your baby may drop lower into your pelvis, so your bump can look lower than before. This is more common in a first pregnancy. Breathing may get easier, but you will feel more pressure low in your belly and pelvis, and fundal height may stop increasing or dip slightly. Bump size, shape and when you start to show vary a lot from person to person.
Is it safe to give birth at 37 weeks?
Yes, babies born from 37 weeks are considered term and most do very well. However, babies born at 37 and 38 weeks, called early term, have a slightly higher chance of breathing and feeding difficulties than babies born at 39 weeks or later. That is why planned births are generally not scheduled before 39 weeks unless there is a medical reason.
Does losing my mucus plug mean labor is starting?
Not necessarily. Losing your mucus plug shows your cervix is changing, but labor may still be hours, days, or even a couple of weeks away. Keep watching for other signs such as regular contractions or your waters breaking. Contact your provider if you have bright red bleeding that is more than spotting, or if you are unsure about what you are seeing.
Can I do anything to start labor at 37 weeks?
There is no proven safe home method to bring on labor, and it is generally best to let your baby keep growing until labor begins naturally. Staying active with gentle walks is fine if you feel well. Do not take herbal remedies, castor oil, or other products to start labor without talking to your doctor or midwife first.
What trimester is 37 weeks pregnant?
Week 37 is in the third trimester, which covers weeks 28 to 40.
How many months is 37 weeks pregnant?
37 weeks pregnant is about 8½ months. It falls in the ninth month of pregnancy. The ninth month covers weeks 36 to 40. Pregnancy is about 40 weeks, or roughly 9 months, counted from the first day of your last period.
This page is general educational information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different, and baby sizes are approximate averages. Last updated 2026-11-07. See our medical disclaimer.