Congratulations, you have officially reached 'early term'! While your baby still benefits from staying in the womb to gain weight and fully mature their brain, a baby born at 37 weeks has an excellent prognosis and rarely requires intensive medical intervention. The final polish is being applied.
🍼 What's Happening With Your Baby
Now the size of a bunch of Swiss chard, the baby is practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid, coordinating the intricate dance of sucking, swallowing, and breathing.
The fine hair (lanugo) that covered the body is mostly gone, though some may remain on the shoulders and back.
The immune system is robust, having absorbed massive amounts of maternal antibodies over the last few weeks.
🤰 What You're Feeling This Week
Your cervix may be starting to efface (thin out) and dilate (open). Your doctor might check for this at your weekly appointments, though dilation is not a reliable predictor of exactly when labor will start.
You might experience diarrhea or loose stools. As your body prepares for labor, it releases prostaglandins that stimulate uterine contractions—but they also stimulate your bowels.
The nesting instinct might hit you hard. You may find yourself frantically organizing closets, washing baby clothes, or deep-cleaning the kitchen at 2 AM.
Early Term Reached
The risk of severe complications from prematurity drops drastically at 37 weeks. The baby is fully formed and is now primarily focused on gaining the half-pound of fat per week needed to regulate their body temperature.
✅ What To Do This Week
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Wash the baby clothes — Wash newborn clothes, blankets, and burp cloths in a gentle, fragrance-free detergent to remove irritating chemicals before they touch the baby's sensitive skin.
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Prepare postpartum meals — Spend the weekend cooking and freezing easily reheatable meals. You will not want to cook in the first few weeks postpartum.
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Time your contractions — If you feel regular tightening, start timing them. Follow the 5-1-1 rule: call your doctor if contractions are 5 minutes apart, last 1 minute each, and have been consistent for 1 hour.
"The nesting instinct is overwhelming. It is an ancient, biological drive demanding that the environment be safe, clean, and ready. The body knows the arrival is imminent."
— A Note From Your Body, Week 37