37 Weeks Pregnant: Preparing for Birth with Antenatal Care, Yoga, and Support

At 37 weeks pregnant, you’re officially considered full-term, meaning your baby is fully developed and ready for birth at any time. This is an exciting and perhaps nerve-wracking milestone, as you now enter the final stages of your pregnancy. As you prepare for childbirth, it’s essential to stay on top of your antenatal care and ensure that both you and your baby are healthy. This includes attending your antenatal appointments, maintaining your antenatal fitness, and practising relaxation techniques such as antenatal yoga and prenatal massage.

This article will provide you with everything you need to know at 37 weeks pregnant, from understanding your baby’s development to the importance of antenatal checkups, antenatal scans, and antenatal education. We’ll also explore the benefits of prenatal care practices such as antenatal vitamins and antenatal support, ensuring you are fully prepared for the birth of your baby.

Your Baby’s Development at 37 Weeks Pregnant

By 37 weeks, your baby is now ready for life outside the womb. This is a significant milestone in your pregnancy, as your baby is almost fully developed, and their body systems are functioning well enough to thrive in the outside world.

Size and Growth

At 37 weeks, your baby is approximately the size of a pumpkin and weighs around 2.8 to 3.1 kg (6.2 to 6.8 lbs). They are about 48 to 51 cm (19 to 20 inches) long. Your baby’s body is now gaining fat stores to help them regulate body temperature after birth.

Key Developments

Lungs: Your baby’s lungs are now fully developed and capable of breathing air, although they may still be producing surfactant to help their lungs function smoothly outside the womb.

Brain: The brain continues to develop rapidly, and your baby is becoming more alert. They may respond to light, sounds, and even your voice.

Bones: While your baby’s bones are becoming stronger, the bones in their skull remain soft to allow for easier passage through the birth canal during labour.

Baby’s Position

At 37 weeks, your baby is likely positioned head-down in preparation for birth. However, some babies may still be in breech or transverse positions, which could require medical intervention. Your antenatal appointments will include checking your baby’s position to ensure they are ready for birth.

Physical Changes and Symptoms at 37 Weeks Pregnant

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you may experience several physical changes and symptoms. These are your body’s way of preparing for labour, and while they can be uncomfortable, they are generally normal.

Common Symptoms at 37 Weeks Pregnant

Increased Urination: As your baby’s head drops into your pelvis, there may be more pressure on your bladder, leading to increased urination. This may be especially noticeable when you’re walking or when you need to bend over.

Braxton Hicks Contractions: These practice contractions help prepare your uterus for labour. They are usually irregular and do not increase in intensity. However, if they become regular and painful, it may be a sign that labour is near.

Pelvic Pressure: With your baby descending further into the pelvis, you may experience increased pressure or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area.

Back and Leg Pain: As your baby drops lower, you may experience back pain, pelvic pain, and leg cramps. You can alleviate these discomforts by practising antenatal yoga or receiving prenatal massage.

Heartburn and Indigestion: Pressure from the baby on your stomach can lead to heartburn. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding trigger foods can help ease this symptom.

Swelling: Swelling in your feet, ankles, and hands is common during late pregnancy. If swelling is severe or sudden, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider to rule out conditions like preeclampsia.

Fatigue: You may feel more tired than usual, as your body is working hard to prepare for labour. It’s important to rest and take care of yourself, ensuring you have the energy you need for childbirth.

Antenatal Care and Appointments at 37 Weeks Pregnant

As you approach your due date, antenatal care becomes even more important. Regular antenatal appointments help your healthcare provider monitor your baby’s development and ensure that you are both healthy as you near childbirth.

What to Expect at Your 37-Week Antenatal Appointment

Blood Pressure Monitoring: High blood pressure is a key indicator of preeclampsia, a condition that requires close monitoring. Your blood pressure will be checked at each antenatal appointment.

Baby’s Position: Your healthcare provider will assess your baby’s position. By 37 weeks, most babies are head-down, but if your baby is breech or in another position, your provider will discuss options for turning the baby or planning for a caesarean section.

Measuring Your Belly: Your doctor will measure the size of your belly to ensure your baby is growing at the right rate. This measurement helps them gauge whether your baby is in a good position for delivery.

Urine Tests: Urine tests help detect potential complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. It’s important to attend your antenatal appointments to stay on top of these tests.

Vaginal Exam: Depending on your healthcare provider’s practices, you may undergo a vaginal exam to check for cervical dilation and effacement. This helps them assess how close you are to labour.

Antenatal Education and Birth Preparation

As you get closer to your due date, it’s essential to start preparing for labour, delivery, and the postpartum period. Antenatal education provides valuable information on what to expect during childbirth, how to manage pain, and how to care for your newborn.

The Importance of Antenatal Classes

Labour and Delivery Education: Antenatal classes provide crucial information about the stages of labour, pain relief options, and how to manage the emotional and physical aspects of childbirth.

Postpartum Care: These classes also cover the important aspects of postpartum care, including breastfeeding, caring for your newborn, and managing your own recovery after birth.

Partner Involvement: Many antenatal classes encourage partners to attend, which can help them feel more confident and prepared for their role during labour and after the birth.

Antenatal Classes Near Me

If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to find antenatal classes near me to get additional support and knowledge. Many local hospitals and clinics offer group classes or online sessions to help you prepare for childbirth.

Antenatal Yoga and Prenatal Fitness at 37 Weeks

Staying active during pregnancy is important for maintaining your health and preparing for labour. Antenatal yoga is a fantastic way to maintain antenatal fitness while also reducing stress and discomfort in the final weeks of pregnancy.

Benefits of Antenatal Yoga

Improved Flexibility: Prenatal yoga helps you maintain flexibility, especially in the hips and pelvis, which is essential for a smooth delivery.

Strengthened Pelvic Floor: Yoga during pregnancy focuses on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, which helps during labour and recovery.

Breathing Techniques: Learning to focus on your breath during antenatal yoga can help you manage pain and stay calm during labour.

Stress Relief: The relaxation techniques in yoga for pregnancy help reduce stress and anxiety, which is beneficial for both you and your baby.

Reduced Swelling: Regular antenatal yoga helps improve circulation, reducing swelling in the feet and ankles and easing pressure on the back.

Prenatal Massage: Relaxation and Relief

As you approach the final stages of pregnancy, prenatal massage can be an incredibly effective way to relieve discomfort and promote relaxation.

Pregnancy Massage Benefits

Relieve Back Pain: As your baby grows, back pain becomes more common. Prenatal massage targets the back, neck, and shoulders to alleviate tension and improve circulation.

Reduce Swelling: Massages can help reduce swelling in the legs and feet by encouraging fluid movement and improving circulation.

Stress Reduction: Massage for pregnancy promotes relaxation, reducing anxiety and helping you feel more calm and prepared for labour.

Improve Sleep: Many expectant mothers find that prenatal massage helps them sleep better, as it reduces pain and induces a sense of calm.

Conclusion: Antenatal Support and Preparation for Birth

At 37 weeks pregnant, you are almost at the finish line. By continuing with your antenatal care, attending your antenatal appointments, and practising relaxation techniques such as prenatal yoga and antenatal massage, you’ll be well-prepared for childbirth. Ensure that you’re also engaging in antenatal education to stay informed and confident about the birth process. Remember, antenatal support is crucial during this time, and it’s important to lean on your partner, healthcare providers, and loved ones for encouragement and help.

You’re almost there, and with the right preparation and care, you’re ready to welcome your baby into the world!