GUIDE
Your baby is early term — mature enough that labor could safely begin anytime.
At 37 weeks your baby is the size of a winter melon, weighing about 6.3 pounds. They're practicing breathing, sucking, and gripping — all skills they'll need immediately after birth. While 39 weeks is considered ideal for delivery, your baby is developed enough that most providers would not try to stop labor at this point.
Be prepared from day one
Your baby is now the size of a winter melon — roughly 19.1 inches long and weighing about 6.3 pounds. At 37 weeks your baby is classified as "early term," and while two more weeks of development would be ideal, your baby is mature enough for life outside the womb.
Your baby is spending their time practicing three critical skills: breathing, sucking, and gripping. Breathing practice has been going on for weeks, but by 37 weeks the coordination between the diaphragm and chest muscles is well-refined. Sucking movements — often on their own thumb or fingers — are preparing them for feeding. And their grip is strong enough that they could hold your finger immediately after birth.
The lungs are nearly fully mature. Surfactant production is robust, and the air sacs (alveoli) are well-developed. Most babies born at 37 weeks breathe independently without any assistance. The brain is also continuing to mature — it's been growing throughout the third trimester and will add about 30% more volume between now and birth.
Your baby's immune system has been receiving a steady supply of your antibodies through the placenta. This passive immunity will protect them during the first few months of life while their own immune system develops. If you received a Tdap vaccine in the third trimester, those antibodies are actively crossing to your baby now.
Your baby's digestive system is ready for its first meal. Meconium — a thick, dark, sticky substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, bile, and shed cells — has been accumulating in the intestines and will be your baby's first bowel movement after birth (or occasionally during labor).
At 37 weeks, the reality that birth is imminent starts to sink in. Your body may be sending signals that it's preparing for labor, even if the actual event is still weeks away.
You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge, possibly including pieces of your mucus plug. The mucus plug is a thick, gelatinous mass that has sealed your cervix throughout pregnancy. Losing it can happen days or even weeks before labor — it's a sign that your cervix is beginning to change, but it's not a sign that labor is imminent. It can be clear, pink, or tinged with blood (bloody show).
Braxton Hicks contractions may be strong enough to make you pause and wonder: "Is this it?" The key difference between practice contractions and real labor is regularity and progression. If contractions get closer together, stronger, and don't stop with rest — that's real labor.
Some people experience diarrhea or looser stools in the days leading up to labor. This is thought to be caused by prostaglandins — hormones that soften the cervix and stimulate smooth muscle (including the intestines). It's not comfortable, but it's a normal part of the body preparing for birth.
Signs of labor are worth reviewing in detail this week. Know what to watch for, when to time contractions, and when to head to the hospital. Most providers recommend going in when contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour (the "5-1-1 rule") — but confirm your provider's specific guidance.
If you're feeling anxious about labor and delivery, that's completely normal. Learning about the stages of labor and what to expect can help reduce fear. Knowledge is genuinely empowering when it comes to birth.
You may also want to read about what to expect with a C-section, even if you're planning a vaginal delivery. Being prepared for all outcomes helps you stay calm regardless of how your birth unfolds.
Every pregnancy is different. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms.
Three weeks to your due date. Everything should be ready to go — hospital bag, car seat, childcare plan, route to the hospital. Now it's about waiting, resting, and staying alert.
This is the most important thing to know right now. Real labor contractions are regular, get closer together, get stronger over time, and don't stop with rest. Other signs: your water breaking (a gush or steady trickle), bloody show (mucus tinged with blood), and persistent lower back pain that comes in waves. When in doubt, call your provider or go to the hospital.
Know the fastest route to your birthing facility at different times of day. Have a backup route in case of traffic or road closures. Make sure your car has gas. If you need someone to drive you, have a backup driver identified. If you have other children, have your childcare plan confirmed and a backup in place.
Even if you're planning a vaginal delivery, understanding what a C-section involves reduces fear if one becomes necessary. About 32% of deliveries in the US are cesarean births. Ask your provider what circumstances might lead to a C-section, what the procedure involves, and what recovery looks like. Being informed is empowering, not pessimistic.
You may feel a mix of anxious energy and exhaustion. Try to rest even if you can't sleep. Your body is preparing for one of the most physically demanding experiences of your life, and going into labor well-rested (or at least as rested as possible) will serve you well. Delegate tasks, accept help, and give yourself permission to slow down.
When in doubt, call your provider. It's always better to check and be reassured than to wait and worry.
Next week at 38 weeks, your baby will officially be full term. All organ systems will be ready for independent life, though the brain and lungs are still making final refinements. Meconium will be accumulating in the intestines, ready for that first diaper change.
Looking back, week 36 brought the GBS test and the transition to weekly appointments. And if your hospital bag still isn't packed — seriously, do it today.
Three weeks. Your baby could arrive any day, or you might wait the full three weeks. Either way, you're ready. Trust your body and trust your preparation.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
