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Third trimester

37 weeks pregnant

From 37 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days, ACOG calls a pregnancy early term. Full term starts at 39 weeks 0 days. A baby born now is no longer preterm, but many people still have a few weeks to wait.

This page covers 37 weeks 0 days to 37 weeks 6 days (37+0 to 37+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 37.

Botanical illustration of a Hubbard squash

About the size of a Hubbard squash

Typical estimated weight 3.03 kg (6 lb 11 oz) at 37+0, about 3.21 kg (7 lb 1 oz) by 37+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • By around this point, most babies have turned head down. NHS information puts this at about 95% of babies, usually facing your back, which is the best position for labor.2
  • Your baby may be trying out facial expressions such as frowning and smiling. These are random movements and are not linked to feelings like happiness or sadness.2
  • Your baby is still gaining weight, though probably not getting much longer. The skin looks less wrinkled as fat builds up underneath.3
  • Your baby has definite sleep patterns, and by now you may have a sense of when they tend to be active and when they are calmer.2,3

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • When your baby's head moves down into your pelvis, your bump may look like it has dropped. Some people then feel some relief from heartburn, indigestion and needing to pee often.2
  • More vaginal discharge and more Braxton Hicks contractions are common. These practice tightenings can feel uncomfortable but should not be painful.2
  • You may feel a sudden urge to clean and get things ready, often called nesting. Try not to overdo it and rest when you can.2
  • Your baby should keep moving right up to and during labor. If movements slow down, stop or change from the usual pattern, call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, even at night.4

Care around this week

  • US: if you have not had group B strep screening yet, it is offered up to 37 weeks 6 days. UK: GBS testing is not routine on the NHS.5,6
  • Signs that labor may be starting include contractions or tightenings, a show (the mucus plug coming away), backache, an urge to go to the toilet, and your waters breaking. NHS advice is to call your midwife or maternity unit if you think you are in labor or contractions are coming every 5 minutes or more often. Your own care team may give you different instructions, so check with them.7
  • Call urgently, day or night, if your waters break, you have vaginal bleeding, your baby is moving less than usual, a contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes, or you have 6 or more contractions in 10 minutes.7

Questions to ask your provider

  • Is my baby head down and engaged yet?
  • What did my group B strep result show, and what does it mean for labor?
  • At what point in labor do you want me to call or come in?
  • What should I do if my waters break before contractions start?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.9,10,11,12

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.11,13
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.7,11,12,14
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.4,11
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.9,11,12
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.9,11,12
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.9,11,15
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.14,15
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.11,12,14
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.11,12
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.16
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.11,17
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.11,18

Questions about 37 weeks

Is 37 weeks full term?

No. ACOG calls 37 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days early term, and full term runs from 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days. Some UK pages describe 37 weeks as full term, which is why you may see both terms.2,8

What are the signs of labor at 37 weeks?

Common signs are contractions or tightenings, a show, backache, an urge to go to the toilet, and your waters breaking. Labor contractions get longer, stronger and closer together, while Braxton Hicks contractions don't build up.7

What does a show look like?

A show is the mucus plug from your cervix coming away. It is sticky and jelly-like and often pink with a small amount of blood. If you are losing more blood than that, call your hospital or midwife straight away.7

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. Week 37NHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  5. Committee Opinion No. 797: Prevention of Group B Streptococcal Early-Onset Disease in NewbornsAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2020
  6. Group B strepNHS (England)
  7. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  8. Committee Opinion No. 579: Definition of Term PregnancyAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2013
  9. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  10. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  11. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  12. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  13. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  14. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  15. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  16. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  17. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  18. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy