<p>Being 37 weeks pregnant means you are between 37+0 and 37+6 weeks. About 8 months and 16 days have passed since your last period, so you are in the 9th month. From this week a birth is no longer preterm; in the ACOG classification the early term period begins. It is the right time to learn the signs of labour and when to go to hospital.</p>
<p>At 37 weeks, about 8 months and 16 days have passed since your last period, so you are in the 9th month. Weeks are counted from the first day of your last period (days 259–265).</p>
According to the NHS, your baby is about 48.6 cm from head to heel. Your baby is trying out facial expressions such as frowning and smiling; these are random and not linked to sadness or happiness. By now you probably know when your baby is active and when they are calmer.
As your baby moves down into the pelvis, heartburn, indigestion and frequent peeing may ease (NHS). You may notice more vaginal discharge and more Braxton Hicks contractions, which can feel uncomfortable but should not be painful. A sudden urge to clean and get ready (nesting) is common; the NHS advises resting as much as possible.
Signs of labour (NHS): contractions or tightenings; a show, when a sticky blob of mucus that may be yellow or bloody comes away; back pain; an urge to go to the toilet as the baby's head presses on the bladder or bowel; your waters breaking.
Postnatal depression: the NHS suggests learning about it now and telling your partner. It affects more than 1 in 10 women after pregnancy, usually develops in the first year and can come on gradually. Signs include persistent low mood, losing interest in things you usually enjoy, constant tiredness, sleep problems, finding it hard to care for yourself or your baby, and frightening thoughts. It is an illness and it is not your fault.
Turkish Ministry of Health (antenatal care guideline, 2026): the 4th visit is between 36 and 38 weeks; if not done yet, the ultrasound, check of the presenting part, blood pressure, urine and blood tests and breast examination are completed now. Weekly blood pressure checks continue until birth.
NICE NG201: there is no 37-week appointment; there are appointments at 36 and 38 weeks. US (UpToDate, 2026): visits are weekly. The window for GBS screening closes at 37+6 weeks. If the baby is breech, UpToDate usually performs external cephalic version (ECV) at 37 weeks.
What term means differs between institutions: the NHS describes a baby at 37 weeks as full term and says birth now would not be early. UpToDate, quoting the ACOG classification, separates 37+0 to 38+6 weeks as early term and 39+0 to 40+6 weeks as full term. NICE treats birth before 37 weeks as preterm.
| Symptom | Usually | Seek care if |
|---|---|---|
| More vaginal discharge | It can increase now; the NHS says normal discharge is thin, white and does not smell much. | Call for brown or pink discharge, bleeding or a continuous watery leak (NHS). |
| A sticky yellow or bloody plug of mucus | This is called a show and can be one of the first signs labour is near, though you may still wait days (NHS). | The NHS lists vaginal bleeding and brown or pink discharge among emergency signs; if you are not sure whether it is a show or bleeding, call. |
| Back pain | Common as the baby moves down into the pelvis (NHS). | If it comes with regular contractions that get stronger, labour may be starting. |
Most of these are danger signs or emergency referral criteria in the Turkish Ministry of Health guideline; call your maternity unit or go to the nearest emergency department without waiting. The NHS says to call straight away, even in the middle of the night, if your baby's movements reduce, stop or change pattern, without waiting until the next day. NICE asks for hospital assessment within 24 hours if blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above and the same day at 160/110 mmHg or above; it recommends a hospital review for any unexplained bleeding after 13 weeks, and anti-D for women who are RhD negative and at risk of isoimmunisation. The NHS also says you can call any time if you are worried something is wrong.
About 8 months and 16 days have passed since your last period, so you are in the 9th month.
According to the 2017 WHO fetal growth charts, the 50th percentile for estimated weight at 37 weeks is 2,966 g, and the 10th to 90th percentile range is 2,537–3,403 g. According to the NHS, the baby is about 48.6 cm long. The WHO values come from ultrasound measurements in low-risk pregnancies in ten countries; the authors note differences by country, maternal factors and fetal sex, and that birth weight varies considerably even under optimal conditions. Your own baby's estimated weight is measured on ultrasound and has a margin of error (UpToDate, 2026).
It is not preterm. The NHS counts 37 weeks as full term; in the ACOG classification 37+0 to 38+6 weeks is early term. NICE treats birth before 37 weeks as preterm.
According to the NHS: contractions or tightenings, a show (a sticky yellow or bloody plug of mucus), back pain, an urge to go to the toilet and your waters breaking. The Turkish Ministry of Health guideline also lists bleeding, waters breaking and contractions as signs of labour at the 4th visit.
The NHS says call when contractions last at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes, and call straight away if your baby stops moving, you are bleeding or you are worried something is wrong. Also call if you think your waters have broken.
Last updated: . All sources have been confirmed with their latest versions. This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for a doctor's examination.