Pregnancy week 37

Foetal development during week 37 of being pregnant - Your baby's head may engage, dropping right down into the cervix ready for birth.

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Week by week pregnancy guide > Pregnancy week 37

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You

You may have a sudden urge in the last few weeks to decorate, bake or even start patchwork cot covers, this is known as 'nesting' but not all women experience this. You may feel hot all the time, because your body is working extremely hard. You have more blood circulating and are burning more calories.

Your baby

Your baby is now much plumper and her lungs are ready for the birth. As birth approaches, the amniotic fluid inside your womb has begun to diminish and your baby is growing to fill the space. Your baby's head may engage, dropping right down into the cervix ready for birth. Your baby should settle with her head facing down and tummy facing your back.

Research suggests it's your baby's hormones that kick-start labour. When your baby is ready to emerge your baby's brain will trigger the production of hormones that stimulate the uterus to encourage contractions. Your baby's face is filling out, and now has eyelashes. Her neck is now thickening and her eyelids can now open and close easily.