Development
What is developing around week 37
During weeks 37–38, the fetus continues preparing for birth and may settle into a head-down position. Position and readiness are individual and should be discussed with your clinician.
Your body
Changes you may notice
Third-trimester changes can include shortness of breath, heartburn, swelling, sleep difficulty, urinary frequency, breast changes, and contractions. Your clinician can help distinguish expected discomforts from symptoms that need evaluation.
Symptoms vary widely. Absence, presence, or intensity of a symptom cannot confirm that a pregnancy is progressing normally.
This week’s focus
A practical next step
Keep transport, contact numbers, identification, and essential hospital or birth-center items easy to reach.
- Keep transport, contact numbers, identification, and essential hospital or birth-center items easy to reach.
- Keep appointments and follow the plan created with your prenatal care professional.
- Save new symptoms and questions in one place so changes are easier to explain.
Prenatal visit
Questions worth bringing with you
- What should I understand or prepare during pregnancy week 37?
- Which symptoms should make me call you now rather than wait for my next appointment?
- What tests, vaccines, medicines, or decisions are coming next in my care plan?