37 weeks pregnant: baby size, symptoms and what to expect

At 37 weeks pregnant you’ve reached term. ACOG calls 37 weeks to 38 weeks 6 days “early term”; the NHS describes 37 weeks as full term. Your baby could arrive any day now, though many arrive closer to 40 weeks.

Your baby at 37 weeks

• The baby weighs around 3 kg (most between about 2.5 and 3.5 kg) and measures about 48 cm from head to heel.
• Around 95% of babies are now head down. If yours is breech, there’s still time to turn, and your midwife or doctor will talk you through options.
• The baby is practising facial expressions and getting ready for life outside the womb.
• If you’re expecting twins, birth is often around now — twin pregnancies rarely go past 38 weeks.

See how your baby grows week to week on the baby size by week chart.

Your body at 37 weeks

• As the baby drops lower into the pelvis, heartburn may ease but you may need to pee more.
• Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions are common — painless tightenings of the bump.
• Backache, more vaginal discharge, sleep problems, swollen feet and the urge to “nest” are all common.
• Rest as much as you can.

Appointments and things to do

• Know the signs of labour: regular contractions or tightenings, a “show” (a plug of mucus), backache, an urge to go to the toilet, and your waters breaking.
• Keep your hospital bag and birth plan ready, and know who to call and when.
• Ask your midwife about group B strep if it hasn’t been discussed.
• Keep an eye on your baby’s movements every day.

Working out your dates

“37 weeks pregnant” is counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception, which is about two weeks later. If you’re not sure exactly how far along you are, the gestational age calculator gives the exact weeks and days, and the OB wheel shows your due date and every milestone. For which trimester and month you’re in, see the trimester calculator and the weeks to months converter.

Sources

Last meaningfully updated: 2026-10-20.