Canada's Largest & Oldest Cord Blood Bank
Way to go mama! You are in your last month of pregnancy. Just three weeks to go.
This Week’s Highlights
Your baby is now early full term
You baby will be shedding off the waxy coating on his/her skin
You may lose your mucous plug
Your Baby at 37 Weeks
Your baby is the length of a Swiss chard, measuring about 19.1 inches (48.6 centimeters) long and weighing in at about 6.3 pound (2.9kg). Your baby is now full term, and will be considered “early term” if he or she was to be born today.
Baby Development at Week 37
Your baby is busy practicing many skills at this point, including swallowing, sucking, making facial expressions, and blinking. The digestive system is maturing, making meconium, the first bowel movement baby will have after birth.
You may notice that your little one is not moving as much, this is because the space inside your uterus has finally run out. But you should still be able to feel regular patterns of moving. You may want to make note of these patterns (particularly when the baby is sleeping), because your newborn may retain the same patterns after birth (fingers crossed!).
Pregancy Tip
Pack your hospital bag! If you have it packed already, double check to make sure you have everything! Check hospital bag item list →
Only a few weeks to go.
Your Bump at 37 Weeks
Your baby is now full term and has completed his or her growth. There will be no changes in your weight or belly size.
How Your Body is Changing
From this point on you are playing a waiting game. Continue to eat healthy and exercise while you wait for your baby to make his or her grand entrance. You are likely feeling unstable or clumsy due to the size of your belly, so be extra careful when you are exercising.
If your baby already ‘dropped’ or moved down lower in your pelvis, you may start feeling pelvic pain or pressure at this stage. A bath can help with the discomfort associated with pelvic pain. If your baby hasn’t dropped yet, you will continue to experience breathlessness, and perhaps even heartburn from the minimal amount of space in your abdominal cavity.
Nausea may make a come back this week. However, this time it may be an indication of impending labour. You will need to keep up your energy, so find foods you can tolerate and snack frequently. If you experience severe nausea to the point of vomiting accompanied by swelling call your healthcare provider, since these may be signs of preeclampsia.
Braxton Hicks contractions are normal at this point; so make sure you are able to distinguish between practice-contractions and true labour. From now on, don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider if you feel that you need a professional opinion.
How Far Along are You?
37 weeks in, 3 weeks to go! You are over nine-tenths of the way through your pregnancy. Even though pregnancy is measured in weeks this means you are in your last month of your pregnancy.
Signs of Labour
You may have already experienced the ‘practice’ Braxton Hicks contractions. If you haven’t, it is likely you will experience them starting this week as your body prepares for labour. Below are some signs of labour that you should watch out for from now on.
Water breaking– Don’t expect the dramatic gush of water that we all see depicted in movies when this happens. You will likely experience a slow trickle of amniotic fluid when your water breaks. This is a sign of impending labour, so contact your healthcare provider.
Rhythmic back pain– Some mom’s experience back labour, or contractions in their back. If you experience severe back pain with a constant rhythm like contractions, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Contractions – Braxton Hicks contractions usually happen in the front of your body and do not increase in intensity. But if you are feeling regular contractions, which are not going away when you change positions, it is time to contact your healthcare provider.
Which Cord blood Bank Should You Choose?
To provide the best service for you and your family, you should select a cord blood bank with a commitment to adopting the latest advances in cord tissue banking technologies.
Stem cell banking involves collecting, processing and cryogenically preserving newborn stem cells for long-term storage. Healthcord stays on the cutting edge to deliver a world class cord blood banking experience, and follows stringent quality control measures to ensure your baby’s stem cells are safely stored.
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 37
Leg cramps – Leg cramps can be frequent in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and more frequent at night interrupting your much-needed rest. While the causes behind them are not completely understood there are several remedies you can take to reduce their frequency and duration. Staying hydrated, stretching, resting your feet when possible, and including more calcium and magnesium in your diet can be helpful.
Pelvic pain – Around 80% of moms-to-be experience pelvic pain, mainly in the third trimester. It will become more noticeable following lightening, when the baby drops down to the pelvic area. Pelvic pain can range from being a minor discomfort to extreme pain when walking. You will want to distinguish between pelvic pain and pelvic pressure, since pelvic pressure is a sign of labour. Pelvic pressure is felt in the pelvis and the rectum, and is similar to the menstrual cramps and groin pain. Pelvic pressure is also associated with back pain.
Insomnia – Several other pregnancy symptoms that keep you from getting a good night of sleep like heartburn, leg grams, and frequent need to urinate can be behind insomnia. Some moms believe it is nature’s way of preparing you for the sleepless nights to come once the baby is born. Exercise, getting fresh air, reducing your caffeine intake, and limiting screen time right before bed can help you get some shut eye.
Braxton Hicks contractions – Braxton Hicks contractions are named after Dr. John Braxton Hicks, who first described them. They are the result of muscles in your uterus flexing, preparing your body for labour. However, unlike true labour contractions, they are not strong enough to push your baby out. Braxton Hicks contractions often go away when you shift your position. They are also irregular and do not last for more than 1 minute.
Changes in vaginal discharge – It is normal to notice changes in vagina discharge at this stage of pregnancy. But, if this discharge looks watery it may be amniotic fluid. In this case, you will need to contact your healthcare provider. You may also notice pinkish (blood-tinged) vaginal discharge when you lose your mucous plug. Loosing your mucous plug may be a sign of impending labour.
