Pregnancy Week 37: What to Expect This Week

Welcome to Pregnancy Week 37—officially full term. That means if your baby decided to make their grand entrance now, they’d likely be just fine on the outside. You, however, might be feeling very done with being pregnant (and also slightly alarmed that it’s all getting very real).

Let’s break it down.

Baby at Pregnancy Week 37

Your baby is now around 48.5cm long and weighs close to 3kg—about the size of a honeydew melon, though considerably more wriggly.

Inside the womb:

Baby’s lungs are fully developed and ready for that first breath

Head may be engaged in your pelvis, especially if this is your first baby

They’re busy practising sucking, breathing, and grasping

Still covered in some vernix (the creamy coating) and maybe a bit of lanugo

They’re settling into a pattern of sleep and wake that might not match yours (get used to that one)

Your Symptoms at Pregnancy Week 37

There’s no sugar-coating it: things are likely getting a bit… heavy. Literally and figuratively.

You might be feeling:

Pelvic pressure or that “bowling ball between my legs” sensation

Lightning crotch—sharp twinges caused by baby hitting nerves

Backache, hip pain, and general waddling

More frequent Braxton Hicks or even stop-start labour signs

Leaking colostrum

Insomnia, vivid dreams, or general restlessness

Top tip: If swelling, leg aches or just being upright is taking its toll, try a bedtime massage using Thankful Ankle Oil. Combine it with a deep breath and an “I’m nearly there” and you’ve got yourself a tiny ritual of sanity.

Shop Thankful Ankle Oil & more bump-friendly care

What to Do at Pregnancy Week 37

You’re officially in the “any day now… or three more weeks” window. Here’s what to focus on:

Finalise your hospital bag—snacks, comfy clothes, and phone charger
Revisit your birth preferences and make sure your support person knows the plan
Know the signs of labour vs. practice contractions
Rest. Genuinely. Lie down in the middle of the day. It’s allowed.
If you haven’t yet, try perineal massage—our oil is midwife-formulated and comes with clear instructions

Get your Perineal Massage Oil here

Honest Midwife Thoughts

Pregnancy Week 37 is where everything ramps up. Emotionally, physically, mentally—it’s all happening. And even though you’re so ready, you might also feel nervous, unsure, or just completely knackered.

That’s okay.

Birth is unpredictable, but you are not unprepared. Whether you’re hoping for a spontaneous labour or have an induction or C-section planned, this week is a great time to pause and gather your head—and your support system.

I’m here to walk you through the options, cut through the noise, and remind you that your body knows what it’s doing—even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Feeling Ready? Join Me for a Class

If you’re waiting, wondering, or just need some reassurance, now’s a great time to join:

Instrumental & Assisted Birth Workshop – understand forceps, ventouse, and how to stay in control
C-Section Preparation Class – a practical and positive way to prepare for a planned or possible section
Infant Feeding Class – because once baby’s out, feeding becomes your new full-time job