Everything you need to know

The 36^u up to 39^u Your pregnancy week is the most critical. This is your pregnancy home. From the first stage, you must have experienced various changes in your pregnancy journey. Once you enter 37^ugradually prepare to deliver your baby.

You just can’t wait to hold your baby in your arms. You must have already started counting the days until your baby arrives. This is completely natural!

Delivery to 37^u week of pregnancy could be quite possible. If you happen to give birth to your baby before or at 37^u week, your baby may be considered ‘early’ or ‘premature’.

An ultrasound scan, a biophysical profile and a non-stress test will be able to gauge the baby’s well-being as well as your health. But there is also a high chance that you will give birth at this stage (37^u week) of pregnancy.

Here’s everything you need to know about your baby and your body.

See the changes in your baby

Most of your baby’s organs are already developed and ready to meet the world. However, there are still a few weeks left before your baby leaves your womb. There are also some other developments in your baby this week. For example –

• Your baby’s average weight at this stage is about 6 to 7 pounds (2.7 to 3.2 kg) and is about 18 inches (45.7 cm) long from head to bottom.
• As long as the baby’s lungs are fully mature and functional at this stage. While your little one is still waiting to come out, he’s rehearsing for his big moment by practicing breathing. Therefore, by inhaling and exhaling the amniotic fluid. If your baby is born this week, those lungs will support the newborn by producing lipoprotein. The lipoprotein produced by the baby’s lungs is also known as surfactant.
• The baby has developed more expertise in their hands. Well! Now they can grasp small things like their nose or toes. Since their hands have gathered strength by now, your baby is most likely to suck their thumb. Intrauterine thumb sucking keeps baby ready for postnatal feeding sessions. Your baby’s toenails are also developed at this stage. After giving birth, expect your baby to have overgrown toenails.
• You may also see your baby smiling or frowning on your scans at this stage. (This may not be directly related to your baby’s sadness or happiness) Since their hearing has also improved, at this stage, they may even be startled by a sudden noise.
• Your baby’s digestive system or bowel has improved at this stage. It will include the sticky green meconium. Meconium is the baby’s first malignancy after birth.

How your body changes

Since your baby has moved down into the pelvis and is said to be “engaged,” you could be in labor any time now. So keep watching for the signs in 37^u week of pregnancy.

• Braxton Hicks contractions or false labor is a common occurrence at this stage. You can have false labor every 10 to 20 minutes.
• You may miss the mucus plug with brown or red streaks of blood in it – also known as a “bloody show”. A mucus plug or “bloody appearance” at this stage would mean that the blood vessels in the cervix are breaking. In addition, the cervix thins, dilates and gradually prepares for labor and delivery.
• Pelvic pain happens to be an undeniable discomfort due to the pressure of the baby on it. Along with this, you will feel discomfort in your hips, back, legs as well as your bladder.
• There are chances of water breaking at this stage. This is the amniotic fluid that drips from the cervix as well as the vagina.
• You may feel the urge to go to the toilet repeatedly.
• Apart from the signs of labor at this stage, there are other pregnancy symptoms, this week, that you will come across. They are the following:
• The extra weight of your baby can make you feel very tired. Sleep will no longer be your best friend. However, pregnancy insomnia is common.
• Breast leakage or colostrum production may bother you a bit at this stage.
• Your enlarged belly can leave you with stretch marks (stretch marks), until now. After a few weeks of giving birth, you may wear the stretch marks as a badge of pride, but, for now, these marks may be slightly itchy.
• At this stage, you may feel a little forgetful. Maybe the house keys are misplaced or you can’t remember your best friend’s phone number. This is also known as ‘pregnancy brain’.

So, how do you deal with the symptoms of 37^u Week of pregnancy?

At this point in your pregnancy, self-care is most important by balancing loose ends and taking some time for yourself. Going for prenatal checkup should be your priority.

• You definitely need to have a balanced diet. You must be careful that the food you eat does not cause heartburn. However, you can eat foods that induce labor. Eat your meals slowly and eat small amounts.
• You may know your “Big Day,” but you can give birth before it’s time. So watch out for the kicks and jabs. Also, keep hospital bags packed and ready. If you have cord blood banking planned for you, your baby and the rest of your family, put the cord blood collection kit inside the bag.
• We hope you and your partner have already signed up for antenatal classes, so keep taking them. You will learn a lot about labor and delivery from trained experts.
• Both you and your partner should have completed nursery planning by now.
• If you keep forgetting at this stage, keep a reminder list stuck in your diary. You can also keep reminder alarms on your phone.
• Wear supportive underwear for your breast changes.
• Apply a prescription lotion or coconut oil to your stretch marks and get a prenatal massage for the pain.
• Change your sleeping position. Try to sleep on your left side to get as much sleep as you can and keep your legs elevated while sleeping to reduce swelling.
• Be active and meditate.
• Stay hydrated.

You have almost reached the end of your pregnancy journey. A few more weeks left. Relax.

I hope you have a healthy labor and delivery!