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Sign InWeek 37 — Full Term!
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
Swiss chard bunch
Your baby is about 48cm and 2.85kg — nearly the size of a bunch of Swiss chard. As of this week, your baby is officially full term — meaning their organs are mature enough to function outside the womb. Lungs are mature and ready to breathe. The brain and nervous system continue to develop — brain development continues well into childhood — but the fundamental systems are all ready. Your baby is essentially done cooking.
Full term officially starts at 39 weeks according to the American College of Obstetricians — 37–38 weeks is early term, and 39–40 is full term. Those final two weeks matter: brain development, lung maturity, and feeding coordination all improve significantly between 37 and 39 weeks. Unless there is a medical reason, waiting for labour to begin naturally (or being induced at 39+ weeks) gives the baby the best start.
Your baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid containing the lanugo that shed earlier — and this builds up in the intestines as a dark, sticky substance called meconium. That meconium is your baby's first poo, and it doesn't smell at all. It has no bacteria in it yet because the gut is completely sterile before birth. The first bacterial colonisation of your baby's gut happens during birth and in those first hours and days of life, largely from you.
Know the signs of labour: regular contractions that get closer together, stronger, and longer; your water breaking; a bloody show (mucus tinged with blood from the cervical plug). Call your hospital when contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour — this is the 5-1-1 rule. Don't wait until contractions are unbearable; call when they're regular and established.
Continue eating well and staying hydrated — your body is storing energy for labour, which is intense physical work. Iron-rich foods are worth prioritising to maintain energy.
Memorise the 5-1-1 rule for labour contractions. Know the route to the hospital, where to park at different times of day, and have a backup plan for any other children or pets.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer