What's happening with your baby at 37 weeks
At 37 weeks, your baby is roughly 48–49 cm long and weighs somewhere between 2.8 and 3.1 kg (about 6.2–6.9 lb), though this varies a lot between babies. Most of the major organ systems are functionally ready, and the final weeks are mostly about fine-tuning the brain and lungs and adding a bit more fat.
The fine, downy hair (lanugo) that covered your baby's body is mostly gone now, and the waxy coating (vernix) that protected their skin in the womb has mostly been shed too. Sucking and swallowing reflexes are well coordinated, which is what your baby will use to feed after birth.
Grip strength is strong enough now that a baby born this week can grasp a finger firmly. Movement may feel a little different — less rolling and stretching, more pokes and wiggles — simply because there's less room left to move.
Is 37 weeks considered full term?
No — at 37 weeks your baby is considered 'early term,' not full term. ACOG defines early term as 37 weeks 0 days through 38 weeks 6 days, and full term as 39 weeks 0 days through 40 weeks 6 days. The distinction exists because babies born in the last two to three weeks of a full-term pregnancy tend to have slightly better breathing and feeding outcomes on average.
That doesn't mean a baby born at 37 weeks is unready — most early-term babies do very well. It just means that, absent a medical reason to deliver sooner, most providers will let labor start on its own rather than scheduling an induction or C-section this early.
Common symptoms at 37 weeks
Many people notice their bump sitting lower this week as the baby's head settles into the pelvis, a change often called 'lightening.' It can ease pressure on your lungs and stomach while adding pressure lower down — more frequent urination, waddling, and a heavier, achier pelvis are common.
Braxton Hicks contractions are usually more frequent and noticeable now, and some people lose their mucus plug or notice a small amount of pink or blood-tinged mucus (often called 'bloody show') — both can happen days to weeks before labor actually starts. Loose, achy joints from the hormone relaxin, trouble sleeping, and a burst of nesting energy are all common too.
None of these symptoms tell you exactly when labor will begin. Some people go into labor within days of lightening or losing their mucus plug; others carry on for weeks.
What to do at 37 weeks
Your provider will likely do a swab for Group B strep (GBS) around now if it hasn't been done already — a common bacteria that's harmless to you but can affect a newborn during delivery, and easily managed with antibiotics in labor if you test positive. This is a routine, standard part of prenatal care, not a sign anything is wrong.
If you haven't already, this is the week to finish packing your hospital bag, confirm your car seat is installed and checked, and go over your birth plan with your provider and support person. Review the signs of labor together so you both know what to watch for and when to head in or call.
Keep tracking fetal movement daily. It's the most useful thing you can monitor yourself between now and delivery.
When to call your provider at 37 weeks
Call when contractions are coming regularly about 5 minutes apart, lasting around a minute each, for a full hour (often shortened to the '5-1-1 rule') — this pattern usually means labor is underway. Also call right away if your water breaks, even without contractions, or if you notice heavy bleeding.
Get medical attention the same day for a severe headache that won't go away, vision changes, sudden swelling in your face or hands, or severe abdominal pain — these can be signs of preeclampsia. A noticeable, sustained drop in fetal movement is always worth a call, whatever week you're in.