You are in your 37th week of pregnancy. Just another 20 days and you can finally meet your bundle of joy. You must be going through a lot of emotions and physical changes right now. As you go through excitement, anxiety, joy, and many changes in your body, it can be quite confusing and concerning at the same time. As you get your hospital bag all ready, you also need to prepare your mind for childbirth. What changes can you expect to see this week in your pregnancy? Will symptoms from last week continue or change, or will something new replace them? Come, let’s find out how does your body change during week 37 of pregnancy.
How Does Your Body Change During Week 37 Of Pregnancy?
Here are a few symptoms you may feel strongly during your 37th week of pregnancy. While some of you may have experienced these symptoms a few weeks earlier, this week you can expect these symptoms to be stronger than the others.
1. Spotting
When you are ready to go into labor, your body will start showing signs. If you notice a little blood with mucus, it could be a strong indication that labor will start soon. In many cases, it can be a “bloody show,” a term for the vaginal discharge of blood and mucus together.
Towards the end of your pregnancy, when it is time for labor, the cervix will start softening and thinning, ready to let the baby pass through. When the cervical opening softens, it will release the mucus plug. You may see bright red, pink, or even brown in color. The consistency can be jelly-like.
What to do?
It can be very alarming to see blood at this stage of the pregnancy. Check the consistency of the blood. If it is thin and just blood, you need to rush to the doctor immediately. If it is jelly-like, it could be your mucus plug releasing. In rare cases, it can be a serious issue that needs immediate medical attention.
It is a good idea to take your hospital bag with you when you go to the hospital.
2. Changes In Fetal Activity
Your baby will become less active due to the lack of space. It is natural to start worrying. Some women may even panic and rush to the hospital to check on the baby using a fetal monitor. The baby is full-term now. The space in the womb is very limited and the baby can’t roll around or turn much.
What to do?
Do not panic. The baby is not moving much because they are either sleeping more or have less space. You can start counting the kicks. If you notice a drastic change or feel no movements despite eating or exercising, you need to let your doctor and midwife know. In all probabilities, there is nothing to worry about, but doctors won’t take a chance at such an advanced stage in pregnancy.
3. Pelvic Pain
The baby will start descending in the last few days of pregnancy. If the baby turns and the head starts moving down, you will start feeling the pressure in your pelvis. Once the head is fixed, you might even find it uncomfortable to sit, get up, or walk. You may want to keep your legs apart to accommodate the baby’s head nudging your pelvic bone.
As the baby starts descending, hormones will start relaxing your joints further, preparing your body for the delivery. This can increase pelvic pain and discomfort in the front as well as the back of your pelvis.
What to do?
There is not much you can do to ease this discomfort. You can try reducing the time you spend standing or walking. Lay down on your side with a pillow between your legs as and when feasible. You can try wearing a pelvic support belt to ease the pressure on your back. This can be a good time to take that maternity leave if you have not taken it yet.
4. Acidity/Heartburns
As the baby grows, the expanding uterus will start pushing your organs around to make room for the baby. The stomach acids start moving upwards due to this lack of space. As a result, you can experience more acidity and heartburn compared to the last few weeks.
What to do?
Eat smaller and more frequent meals. Drinking warm water can help improve your digestion. You can also try advancing your dinner time and go for a walk before you go to bed. This can help you digest the food and reduce the pressure on your organs when you go to bed.
5. Night sweats
Night sweats are common in the initial weeks of pregnancy. For some women, they may continue throughout the pregnancy, and for some, they may return or get more intense towards the end of the pregnancy.
The increase in hormonal fluctuations and rapid changes in the body’s functioning can trigger these night sweats. An increase in blood pressure, anxiety, or difficulty turning around in sleep can also cause your body temperature to fluctuate drastically. You may need your blanket one minute and wake up the next minute drenched in sweat.
What to do?
You can use a light blanket that you can pull over or pull off easily as the night sweats increase or decrease. You can try maintaining your room’s temperature according to your body’s needs. Wear light layers to bed so that you don’t feel too warm. Ensure you stay hydrated through your sweating episodes.
6. Other Symptoms
Some symptoms that may continue into your 37th week of pregnancy are:
- Frequent urination
- Nesting instinct
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Leg cramps
- Insomnia
- Hemorrhoids
- Pregnancy brain
- Clumsiness
- Stretch marks
- Varicose veins
The final days of pregnancy can seem very long and can be very exhausting. Pay attention to the symptoms and do not delay going to the hospital when the need arises. Just relax and take it easy for the next few days.
Happy Pregnancy!
Read Also: How Does Your Body Change During Week 38 Of Pregnancy?
