37 Weeks Pregnant - What's Going On? Harbingers Of Childbirth, Abdominal Pain

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 09:49

37 weeks pregnant

The 37th week of pregnancy is the period at which the fetus prepares for birth. At this time, the baby will be able to breathe on his own and perform sucking movements to receive milk from the female breast. His organs of the digestive tract are already ready to digest the first food, and the first black-green feces have formed in the intestines. It's called meconium. The skin of the fetus becomes denser, a fatty layer accumulates under it, which makes it possible to make the heat transfer processes more perfect.

At the same time, the mother's body continues to prepare for childbirth no less actively. If this process begins exactly at 37 weeks, then the pregnancy will be considered full-term and normal, no resuscitation measures will be required.

Content:

• How many months is it?
• Movement, weight and size of the fetus
• Harbingers of childbirth at 37 weeks of pregnancy
• Stomach pulls or hurts at 37 weeks of pregnancy
• Pain at 37 weeks of gestation
• Discharge at 37 weeks of pregnancy
• We do an ultrasound
• We pass tests, undergo examination
• What complications can be at 37 weeks of pregnancy?
• Do's and Don'ts?
• What can affect the fetus?
• Answers to questions about 37 weeks of pregnancy

How many months is it?

Typically, most pregnant women believe they will carry a baby for 9 months. However, this is not entirely true belief. Doctors count a little differently. If we consider a standard pregnancy, without any deviations, then it will last 280 days.

There is such a thing as obstetric month. So it is equal to 28 days, that is, it contains exactly 4 weeks of 7 days. Therefore, 37 weeks is the first week in the ninth obstetric month and the onset of labor at this time is quite normal.

Movement, weight and size of the fetus

At this time, global processes take place in the child's body:

• The adrenal glands increase in size. They get bigger kidneys. It is necessary for hormone production. It will reduce the effects of stress the baby will experience during birth.
• The liver stores iron, which is necessary for the normal supply of blood cells to the baby in the first year of life.

• The mucous membranes lining the stomach and intestines of the child are completely covered with villous epithelium, so that the child can receive and digest food. The intestines begin to contract more actively.
• The child's neurons are covered with a protective sheath, which is necessary for normal coordination of movements in the future. This is not a quick process that will last until the very birth and throughout the entire first year of the baby's life.
• The cartilage in the nose and ears hardens. At the same time, the bones of the child's skull remain soft. This is necessary for the easier passage of the baby through the birth canal. Two fontanelles are not at all tightened by bone tissue.
• At this time, the baby's facial features were already clearly formed, they are clearly distinguishable. Individual fingerprints (fingerprints) have also appeared.
• The skin becomes lighter, the lanugo disappears. But the eyes and hair have not yet acquired a permanent color.

• The child's lungs are developing rapidly. This process is facilitated by the hormone cortisone, which is produced in increased quantities by the mother's body. While the lungs are "turned off", then immediately after the appearance of the crumbs, blood will begin to flow to them. The surfactant is sufficient for the child to breathe normally.
• The immune and endocrine systems, sensory organs continue to form.

The baby's weight at 37 weeks is 2.8-2.9 kg and it continues to increase every day. The growth of the fetus at this time can reach up to 49 cm, and the circumference of the head and abdomen is equal. Every day there is less and less space in the uterus, because the woman clearly feels even minor movements of the child. This is not surprising, because every week only in growth the child adds 1 cm.

At 37 weeks of intrauterine life, the child should take its permanent position. In 95% of cases, the baby lies head down, although other options are not excluded.

Sometimes the baby's movements can give the woman uncomfortable and even painful sensations, because he has grown noticeably and can push with more force. The mother-to-be needs to listen to the baby's movements. He should move at least 10 times every 12 hours, that is, almost every hour. If the child moves much more often or, on the contrary, there is no movement for several hours, then you should definitely consult a doctor.

Harbingers of childbirth at 37 weeks of pregnancy

Labor may begin at 37 weeks gestation. First of all, this applies to women who give birth not for the first time. Be that as it may, you need to be prepared for the fact that labor can begin at any time.

It is important that the family members know how to behave if a woman starts having labor. You should also take care of the bags that you need to take with you to the hospital in advance. You shouldn't go far from home, and you should always keep your exchange card and mobile phone close at hand.

The following signs may indicate an impending birth:

Abdominal prolapse. The abdomen may drop lower, which will relieve pressure on the chest and make breathing easier. However, not every woman has a sagging belly, and this symptom may never appear.

The lower the fetus is located, the more painful lumbago in the perineum and lower extremities will be. The skin on the abdomen is taut and may cause mild itching. To get rid of this problem, you should use a moisturizer.

Some women experience a slight eversion of the navel. As a result, a dark line may appear in the center of the abdomen. There is nothing wrong with this, since after childbirth this line will disappear.

Naturally, the pressure on the intestines and on the bladder increases, which means that trips to the toilet become more frequent. The closer the moment of birth, the quieter the baby begins to behave.

• Exit the mucous plug. Discharge of the mucous plug that closes the cervix is another harbinger of childbirth. She can leave both a few days before the onset of labor, and a few weeks before them. Again, getting out of the jam is optional. The mucous plug is represented by thick, viscous discharge. As a rule, it turns out not the whole cork, but part of it. The discharge can be clear, pink, brown, or even bloody.
• Energy rise. Before labor begins, women often feel a surge of strength and energy. Their mood rises, desires and strength to do various things appear, as if a "second wind" opens.
• Water discharge. Water can drain both during contractions and before they start. Be that as it may, if a woman saw liquid discharge flowing down her legs, she must either go to the hospital on her own, or call an ambulance. Moreover, you should not wait for contractions, since the discharge of water always indicates the onset of labor.
• Weight loss, decreased appetite. During pregnancy, a woman's appetite increases, but a few days before childbirth, on the contrary, it may decrease. Sometimes 3-4 days before the birth of a child, women refuse to eat at all, since the desire to eat completely disappears. At the same time, a decrease in body weight by 1-2 kg is possible.
• Diarrhea. Sometimes, the stool may become thin on the day before giving birth. Therefore, when diarrhea occurs against the background of full health, it is quite natural that a woman will end up in a maternity hospital a couple of days later.
• Colostrum drops on clothes. Many women begin to notice small spots on their bra or jacket. If you bring them closer to your face, you can smell a milky smell. These are the first drops of colostrum, which also indicate the imminent birth of a child.
• Pain in the abdomen, lumbar pain of a pulling character, contractions. The fact that labor will soon begin will be evidenced by pulling pains localized in the lower abdomen. They also grip the lower back and can resemble the painful sensations a woman experiences before the next menstruation.

However, the most obvious sign of an imminent labor is contractions. This is not about training contractions of the uterus, not about Brexton-Higgs contractions, which are painless, but about real contractions. Therefore, if a woman experiences such sensations, it is necessary to go to the maternity hospital.

Braxton Hicks contractions are called false because they do not signal the onset of labor. They can be removed by taking a cold shower, or simply by changing the position of the body. Real contractions are characterized by severe pain, and the rest interval between them is constantly decreasing.

Stomach pulls or hurts at 37 weeks of pregnancy

The abdomen can drop both at 37 weeks of gestation and a week earlier or a week later. If this did not happen, then do not worry. Sometimes the stomach does not go down until the very birth and this is a variant of the norm.

If the belly has dropped, this does not mean that labor should begin in the next few hours. It is possible that the woman will carry the baby for another 1-2 weeks. However, it will become much easier for her to breathe.

Along with the relief of breathing, other difficulties join. So, pain in the lower abdomen may increase. If the pain goes to the lower back and has a cramping character, then this may indicate the onset of labor.

Pain at 37 weeks of gestation

Pulling pains that occur at 37 weeks of gestation may be due to the fact that the woman's belly has dropped, and labor will soon begin.

There may also be painful sensations in the sacrum, in the lower extremities, in the spine, in the back. They are explained by the fact that the woman's body weight has increased significantly, and the uterus has become much larger in size. To reduce discomfort in the legs and back, you need to rest as much as possible, it is good at this time to put a roller or pillow under your feet. Antenatal bandage helps relieve stress from the spine.

Pain can also appear in the pubic area, in the pelvis. They occur due to the divergence of the pelvic bones. After all, the woman's ovaries and placenta produce more of the hormone relaxin, and the child himself presses on the bottom of the uterus. The fewer days remain until the baby is born, the more intense the pain in the lower abdomen can be.

Discharge at 37 weeks of pregnancy

Do not panic if traces of discharge are visible on your underwear - this is a variant of the norm. They may also have mucus, which makes the discharge stretch. Thus, the mucous plug comes off. The discharge often turns brown, whitish, or pink. Sometimes the plug comes out completely. In this case, it looks like a lump consisting of milk jelly or a silicone formation. It is difficult to confuse a mucous plug with something else. In terms of volume, it can fit in two tablespoons, often there are bloody threads in such a lump. If a woman's mucous plug has completely come out, then there is no doubt that labor will begin very soon.

Greenish, yellowish, or dark brown discharge, frothy mucus or cottage cheese-like lumps are not normal. When such discharge appears, you need to go to see a doctor as soon as possible. It is possible that an infection has occurred, which must be eliminated before the baby is born. After all, he can become infected with almost any disease while passing through the birth canal.

If a woman discovers spotting, then it is necessary to call the ambulance as soon as possible. Blood very often indicates placental abruption. This is a very dangerous condition that threatens the life of the child.

When water is poured out, you should also not hesitate to call the medical team. It is impossible not to notice them, as jets will flow down the legs. They indicate the onset of labor. Sometimes amniotic fluid does not come out all at once, but in portions. This indicates a violation of the integrity of the fetal membrane. If a similar situation arises, you should also consult a doctor.

We do an ultrasound

A woman for a period of 37 weeks should visit a gynecologist every 7 days. At this time, the doctor monitors the preparation of the body for childbirth, can examine the cervix, be sure to listen to the baby's heartbeat.

As a rule, the woman has already undergone a planned ultrasound scan, which is the third in a row. However, sometimes another ultrasound is required, for example, when it becomes necessary to clarify the position of the baby in the uterus. Sometimes it does not go down with its head down, but turns its back or sideways. In this case, the question of performing a cesarean section may arise.

During an ultrasound scan, the doctor assesses the size of the fetus, the condition and amount of amniotic fluid and compares them with the norm. In parallel, it is necessary to clarify the maturity of the placenta, the state of the umbilical cord, uterus and cervix.

At this time, a woman can study as much information as possible on breastfeeding, find any artificial nutrition that could replace mother's milk is impossible. It contains antibodies and other unique components that are essential for a growing body. It is also worth mastering the intricacies of caring for a baby, because he will be born very soon.

We pass tests, undergo examination

If there are no abnormalities during pregnancy, then the woman will need to pass urine for a general analysis. Also, the doctor will measure her blood pressure, measure the height of the bottom of the uterus and the volume of the abdomen.

The height of the fundus of the uterus is 37 cm. If this indicator is exceeded, the doctor may suspect polyhydramnios. This is often the reason for referring a woman to a maternity hospital. This will allow doctors to constantly monitor the situation. If the height of the fundus of the uterus has decreased, it means that the child will soon be born, as this indicates his descent.

As for protein in urine, it should normally be absent there. If protein appears in the urine shortly before childbirth, then this is an alarming signal. It is possible that the woman begins to develop preeclampsia. This is one of the most severe forms of toxicosis that develops in late pregnancy. Other signs of preeclampsia are: jumps in blood pressure, the appearance of edema, weight gain. At this time, the child will suffer from a lack of nutrition and from oxygen starvation. In parallel, the load on all organ systems of a woman increases.

What complications can be at 37 weeks of pregnancy?

The baby's bones and nails continue to grow, which requires calcium. It is also necessary for the most pregnant woman to prevent the development of hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

No less important is the regular intake of vitamin D into the body, which will prevent the development of rickets in a child.

In addition, a woman should monitor her weight. A quick increase is dangerous. So, if the fetus is large, then this increases the risk of the child getting injuries while passing through the birth canal. This threatens a woman with numerous breaks.

Eclampsia remains the main danger in late pregnancy. It is the first leading cause of death among pregnant women worldwide. This also applies to developed countries. Eclampsia does not occur instantly, it is always preceded by preeclampsia. It is important not to ignore the first signs of impending toxicosis.

If the child is in breech presentation, then at this time it will no longer be possible to change his body position. In this case, the woman is hospitalized before the onset of labor, after which the question of performing a cesarean section will be decided.

Do's and Don'ts?

It is very important that a woman does not experience serious physical activity at 37 weeks of pregnancy. If you feel tired, you need to put off everything and rest. Do not be ashamed to ask for help from loved ones.

• Food. It is important not to overeat, so the portions should be small, and the number of approaches to the table per day should not exceed seven times. If appetite disappears, then you need to switch to light, but nutritious meals. You should not include in the menu foods that can provoke allergic reactions. For example, these are citrus fruits or chocolate. Smoked, salty and spicy dishes should be removed from the menu. In this case, a woman needs to drink enough fluids. Non-carbonated mineral water, compote, tea, fruit drink are suitable as drinks. It is best to refuse store-bought juices, as their sugar content is very high.
• Vitamins. From the very beginning of pregnancy, a woman should receive vitamins. You should not abandon them at a later date and even after childbirth. However, the doctor should choose the optimal drug.
• Sex. Doctors say that in the normal course of pregnancy, an intimate life can be preserved until the very birth. Studies have been carried out to establish that there is a substance in semen that prepares the cervix for dilatation. However, after the release of the mucous plug, intimate life must be abandoned, as the risk of infection in the fetus increases.
• Sport. At 37 weeks of gestation, stress should be abandoned, although, under the supervision of an instructor, light exercises can be done to maintain muscle tone. You also need to hike in the fresh air, but at a slow pace. It is allowed to do breathing exercises.
• Taking medicines, undergoing procedures. Without the permission of the doctor, you can not take any drugs and carry out any medical procedures. Any therapy is prescribed by a doctor.

What can affect the fetus?

At 37 weeks gestation, the baby continues to sleep a lot. At this time, the child's sleep has not only a fast, but also a slow phase. During the fast phase, his eyeballs move, slight twitching of the fingers is possible. During the slow phase, the baby relaxes completely. It accounts for about 40-60% of the total sleep duration.

While awake, he sucks his fingers, can touch and play with the umbilical cord. The child distinguishes well between the voices of the mother and the father, reacts to the inclusion of his favorite music, and can begin to move more actively during a loud conversation. A woman in late pregnancy is not advised to visit places with an increased level of noise.

You should also not often be in closed rooms where a large number of people accumulate. Indeed, in this case, the risk of catching ARVI or ARI increases, which can negatively affect the condition of the fetus and the woman herself.

It is important that the expectant mother eats well. Substances with strong odors or addictive foods can negatively affect the health of the child. Therefore, it is so important to completely exclude alcohol, drugs and tobacco smoke from entering the woman's body.

Answers to questions about 37 weeks of pregnancy

• At 37 weeks of gestation, the stomach often pulls. This is normal? This may indicate an imminent onset of labor? If false contractions occur more often and become more painful, then this may indicate the approach of labor. However, if this is the first birth, and the stomach has not sank and the mucous plug has not come off, then it is quite possible that the child will be born only after 1-2 weeks.
• First pregnancy, term 37 weeks. Legs, lower back and pelvic bones hurt badly. What is it? This is a completely normal feeling. Pain in the lower extremities occurs due to compression of blood vessels and nerves by the uterus. Such pains are not dangerous for a woman or a child. To alleviate the condition, you need to rest more, massage your feet, wear comfortable shoes. Pain in the lower back and pelvis most often indicates prolapse of the fetus, which leads to the expansion of the pelvic bones.
• My weight increased by 17 kg at 37 weeks. I don't eat much, but I think that I still have excess weight. Is it so? The weight gain, which is 17 kg, is a slight excess of the norm, but this is not critical. It is important to limit the use of sweets and flour products before childbirth. The menu should contain more vegetables, fruits, dairy and dairy products. It is important that excess weight is not formed due to edema. If it was recruited gradually, then there should be no reason for concern. If the weight has increased dramatically, for example, within 7 days, then you must definitely go to an appointment with a specialist.

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.