Pregnancy Update: 37 Weeks
Fetal Development
This week, your baby is considered full-term! But your baby hasn’t stopped growing yet. He or she continues to develop fat at the rate of half an ounce (14 grams) a day. In general, boys weigh more than girls at birth.
With just three more weeks to go, you can expect weight gain to be about half an ounce per day. Since your little one is considered full-term now, if your baby was to leave the wet nest this week, he or she would likely thrive. That’s because Mother Nature and you have done such a fine job.
Your baby is simulating breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking on his or her thumb, blinking, and pivoting from side to side. All these are skills needed for his or her next gig – starring as newborn.
Pregnancy Side-Effect: More Braxton Hicks
Since you’re technically considered in full-term, this means that you can safely go in labor any day now. The big mystery now is when the labor will actually begin. For your doctor’s appointments, she/he will check on the status of your cervix. Or you can specifically request to perform an internal checks of your cervix too assess your readiness for labor.
First, for dilation or how far your cervix has opened – the very popular CM measurement. Next is your 
cervical ripeness which is the test for the consistency of the cervix. Next, he or she will check for effacement or how thin your cervix is. The position of your cervix will also be assessed & last but not the least your practitioner will measure the station of the baby in relation to your pelvis. The lower down your baby is, the closer you are to delivery.
Asides from being ready with the actual labor, you may be confused on having these Braxton hicks. Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some “bloody show” (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away – or less. If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.
It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day – this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby’s movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.
While you’re sleeping, you’re likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.
For Daddy: Uncluttered Your Nest
Funny, that overstuffed closet never bothered you before, but now you just have to organize it. And that cabinet over there really needs clearing out. Not to mention the basement…. Congratulations, your nesting instincts (dads have them, too, throughout the animal kingdom) have kicked in. Don’t be surprised to suddenly find the energy (and the enthusiasm) for compulsive cleaning, painting, and organizing. Run (and dust) with it – it’s nature’s way of assuring that you’ll have a comfy, clean nest for your baby when you all come home. Plus, it keeps your mind off your pre-delivery jitters. Your partner may be in nesting overdrive, too, but don’t let her overdo it. (Keep her off ladders, okay?) On the other hand, fatigue may be her overriding instinct right now.
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