You have reached the 37th week of pregnancy and you cannot wait to hold your baby in your arms. Well, how is baby development at 37 weeks of pregnancy? Can a 37-week baby be born? How much does a 37-week baby weigh?

Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yeditepe University Hospitals and IVF Specialist, answered what happened in the 37th week of pregnancy.

Can a 37-week baby be born?

The birth will take place over an average period of 3 weeks. If your baby is born this week, it is called preterm.

How much does a 37-Week Baby Weigh?

Your baby weighs an average of 2850 grams this week and will continue to gain an average of 15 grams daily.

Baby Development at 37 Weeks of Pregnancy

The baby practices a lot of the new skills: breathing in and out, sucking, grasping, and blinking.

What a Mother Experiences at 37 Weeks of Pregnancy

Some of the symptoms felt during these weeks can be confused with labor symptoms:

• Dyspeptic complaints
• Spotting bleeding: Since the cervix is very sensitive during this period, spotting bleeding can be seen especially after sexual intercourse. However, if this bleeding is more than spotting or a few drops of blood, you should inform your doctor.
• Irregular contractions or pain
• The feeling of pressure towards the lower abdomen or vagina

These symptoms can be confused with real birth signals. You are more likely to be in labor if you have the following symptoms, which we are going to look at in 2 categories.

Signs of Impending Labor

• Bloody show (mucus plaque)/ bleeding: This can be a clue that the cervix is now open.
• Nausea
• Diarrhea: Increased bowel movements due to changing hormones in the body with the approach of labor

If you have these symptoms, you should call your doctor or contact the hospital where you plan to give birth as soon as possible:

• Back pain
• Regular pains/contractions
• Water coming in