37 Weeks Pregnant? Here’s What No One Tells You (But You Need to Know!)

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EP 112:

You’ve officially made it to 37 weeks pregnant—and while everyone loves to say, “Baby could come any day now!” there are some really important changes happening this week that most people don’t talk about.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• What’s happening with your baby’s development at 37 weeks 👶
• The surprising symptoms no one warns you about ⚡
• How to tell real labor vs. false labor contractions
• The exact things you should be doing now to prep for birth + breastfeeding
• Mindset shifts to help you survive these last (sometimes frustrating!) weeks

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel clear on what’s normal, what’s not, and what to focus on so you walk into labor with confidence.

✨ Ready to prepare for birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding? Grab my Bump To Bundle Blueprint course

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
Here to discover things likewhat to expect in childbirth,

(00:27):
how to prepare for your birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.
Hey mama, you've officially madeit to 37 weeks, and I know

(00:51):
you've probably heard peoplesaying things like, baby could
come any day now, or sleep whileyou can, but here's the thing.
There are some really importantthings happening in your body
and with your baby right nowthat nobody's really talking
about, and honestly, some ofthem might actually surprise
you.
So today I'm breaking down thetruth, about 37 weeks.

(01:16):
What's normal, what's notnormal, and the exact things
that you can do to feel moreprepared for labor.
And postpartum.
So stay with me because by theend of this video, you'll know
how to spot the differencebetween early labor signs and
just false alarms, how your bodyis secretly preparing for birth

(01:39):
and what you can do now to makebreastfeeding easier later.
So with that being said, let'sstart with your body.
Right now at 37 weeks, you aretechnically considered early
term.
Now notice I didn't say fullterm.
That's because true full term isactually around 39 weeks.

(02:02):
Babies born at 37 weeks often doreally well, but research shows
that they are more likely tohave issues regarding feeding
difficulties, jaundice, or evenneeding a little extra support
compared to babies at 39 to 40weeks.
In fact, here's a fun fact foryou.
At 37 weeks, your baby's brainis still growing.

(02:25):
Actually, it's growing about 1%per day.
I know it's crazy, right?
That's one of the reasons whyletting your baby cook a little
longer is usually best, unlessthere's some medical reason,
maybe for an earlier delivery.
So if you're feeling done withpregnancy right now, and I know
that you are, remember theselast couple weeks matter a lot,

(02:49):
especially for your baby'sdevelopment.
Now let's talk about some of theweird things that happen at 37
weeks.
First up, lightning crotch.
Yep.
That sudden sharp shooting paindown low when baby's head
presses on your cervix.
Now this is totally normal, butit definitely can catch you off

(03:10):
guard, so be on the lookout forthat.
Also sudden burst of energy.
We call this the nestinginstinct and it's real.
Your body is basically saying,let's prep the cave before the
baby arrives.
Now let's talk about bathroommarathons.
As your baby drops, you may bepeeing nonstop.

(03:32):
Is it annoying?
Yes.
But is it also normal?
A hundred percent.
Now we should also mentioncervical changes.
Your cervix may be softening andthinning out even if you're not
having contractions yet.
But here's the thing.
Just because you're having thesesymptoms doesn't mean that labor

(03:52):
is starting today, which bringsme to real labor versus false
labor and how to tell thedifference.
This is where a lot of moms getconfused.
At 37 weeks, you might startexperiencing what's known as
Braxton Hicks contractions.
Now, if you've been followingalong week by week, I've

(04:13):
explained this previously, butit's always good to have those
reminders from week to week.
'cause that's really what makesthings stick.
And if this is your first timehere, well this is something
that you definitely need toknow.
Braxton Hicks are practicecontractions that feel like
tightening, but usually theydon't get stronger over time.
They go away if you changepositions or drink water, and

(04:37):
they're pretty irregular, butreal labor contractions.
They get closer together, theyget stronger and more intense,
and they keep going even if youlie down or you drink lots of
fluids and you're hydrated.
So here's the kicker.
If your water breaks, if youhave heavy bleeding, or if your

(04:59):
baby's movement suddenlydecreases, call your provider
right away.
Those are not, wait and seesymptoms.
Okay?
All right.
Now, here's where it getspractical.
What should you do right now toprep for labor and postpartum?
Number one, I want you to packyour hospital bag, and I mean,

(05:21):
for real this time, okay?
Don't just throw in atoothbrush.
I want you to think about thingslike snacks, nursing friendly
clothes.
Chargers and a comfy robe.
For starters, that's just offthe top of my head.
There is a PDF below that youcan get for free.
Download it to help you packyour bag literally in 60 minutes

(05:44):
or less.
So if that is something that youneed help with, don't
procrastinate.
Mama.
Click the link below to get thatfree download.
Alright.
Number two, I want you topractice your labor positions.
Research shows that uprightpositions like hands and knees,
squats and leaning forward canall help with labor progress and

(06:05):
make your baby's descentsmoother.
All right, now let's be quickand just talk about peroneal
Massage evidence actuallysupports that starting peroneal
massage around now can loweryour risk of tearing.
Yes, it can be awkward, butresearch shows that it's worth
it.
Now again, check the descriptionbox below because I have a mini

(06:29):
course that will walk youthrough specifically how to do a
perineal massage and how to nottear during your birth.
So if that is something thatyou're really concerned about,
maybe you've been up kind ofwondering, you've heard all the
horror stories.
No need to worry, mama.
I got you.
The link is in the descriptionbox.
Alright, number four, learn thegolden hour plan.

(06:53):
The first hour after birth isabsolutely crucial for bonding
and breastfeeding skin to skinand early latching can make
breastfeeding so much smootherlater on.
So you definitely want to makesure that you have a game plan
before you go into labor, beforeyou give birth about how you
want that first hour to go.

(07:15):
All right.
Now I also want you to talk toyour provider about inductions.
This isn't to say that you willhave one or that you will need
one, but research shows beinginformed about all these things
previous To actually needing tohave any of them helps you to
make a better informed decisionabout what's right and what's

(07:37):
necessary for you.
So I don't want someone to comeand talk at you.
I want you to be knowledgeableenough so that you can have an
informed conversation about yourbody, your birth, your baby.
Okay?
I want you to ask questionslike, what's your policy on
inducing before 39 weeks?
Is this a doctor that's going tokind of jump on that?

(07:59):
If so, you need to have in mindwhat you're gonna say is your
response, right?
We want baby to cook a littlelonger.
Now this is important becausesometimes it's offered when it's
not actually medicallynecessary, and you deserve to
know your options.
So I encourage you to do as muchresearch as you can about

(08:19):
induction and what that couldpotentially look like When it
may be necessary so that you canbe armed and ready no matter
what direction your birth takes.
Okay?
That's being empowered, that'sbirthing confidently.
we're not setting ourselves upfor these things, but we are
prepared no matter what happens.

(08:41):
Alright?
Now, this is the part that noone tells you, but it makes a
huge difference colostrumharvesting.
Some moms hand express a littlecolostrum and they freeze it.
If your provider gives you thego ahead, I want you to consider
doing this.
This can be a lifesaver if yourbaby needs extra calories after

(09:02):
birth.
Also, you don't need to do anyaggressive nipple prep.
All of that is a myth.
You don't need to scrub, toughenor do other things to your
nipples.
Your body is already preparing.
What you can do is learn goodlatch techniques ahead of time.
Also know where your support is.

(09:24):
Now, let me say that againbecause baby, when the ships are
burning down, you need to know.
You need to know where your helpis gonna come from.
Okay?
I want you to have a lactationconsultants number saved in your
phone before birth.
Before birth.
Let me say that again beforebirth.
Don't wait until you're in tearsat 2:00 AM Mama.

(09:48):
All right.
I know.
37 weeks can feel like thelongest stretch ever.
You're uncomfortable, swollen,and maybe even over people
asking, haven't you had thatbaby yet?
But think of it this way, everyday your baby stays in, is
another day that they'rebuilding strength for an easier

(10:09):
transition to earth side.
As a matter of fact, I want youto try this instead of counting
down the days, I want you tocount up the things that you're
doing to prepare for this baby.
Every meal that you cook, thebag that you pack, the rest that
you take, it's all part of thejourney.
Mama.
Okay, that's your real talkabout being 37 weeks pregnant.

(10:31):
What's normal, what's not, andhow to get through these last
weeks with confidence.
And if you wanna go even deeperand feel fully prepared for
birth, labor, and breastfeeding,I want you to grab bump to
bundle blueprint.
It is not too late, my friend.
it is my step-by-step coursethat walks you through labor,
birth, and postpartum recoveryso that you can stop googling at

(10:55):
3:00 AM and actually feel readyI'll link it below.
So tell me in the comments,what's your weirdest symptom
here at 37 weeks?
What have you noticed?
I'd love to hear your stories.
You guys know that I lovechecking in with you from week
to week and we chitchat in thecomments, so definitely drop it
below.

(11:16):
I wanna hear from you and don'tforget to subscribe so that this
will get to the moms who need tohear it the most.
Remember, you've got this mama,and I'm cheering you on every
step of the way.
Until next week, happy birthing.