Week 37 is the moment to have settled how you will recognize that it is time to call the hospital and what to expect then. It is not about watching for one single right signal, because labor starts differently each time. It is about knowing whom to contact and what admission to the maternity unit looks like.
What to do in week 37
- Write the labor and delivery ward's number and the emergency number somewhere visible.
- Prepare a card with the details you will give on the phone.
- Check which way you enter the maternity unit at night.
- Agree with your birth partner that they will be ready to leave at any hour.
- Pack your documents into the bag you will take to the maternity unit.
Signs that mean it is worth calling the hospital
Call the labor and delivery ward when contractions appear that become regular and build up, when your water breaks, or when bleeding appears. A phone call does not commit you to coming in — the midwife will ask about your symptoms and suggest what to do next.
- Contractions that are becoming more frequent, longer, and stronger.
- Your water breaking, even when the leak is small and hard to identify.
- Vaginal bleeding, or green or brownish coloring of the fluid.
- A clear decrease in your baby's movements or a change in their character.
- Severe abdominal pain, headache, vision disturbances, or feeling generally unwell.
Tip
Prepare a card with your details: week of pregnancy, key information from your pregnancy record, and your birth partner's number. It shortens the call and calms everyone down.
What to say on the phone
The call with the midwife is short and specific. Answer the questions about your week of pregnancy, symptoms, your baby's movements, and any conditions you are being treated for. You do not need to assess or guess anything — it is enough to describe what you feel.
- Which week of pregnancy this is and where your pregnancy is being cared for.
- What is happening and since when.
- How your baby is behaving.
- Whether you have test results that matter to staff.
- Who is with you and how you will get there.
What admission to the maternity unit looks like
At the maternity unit you give your details, hand over your documents, and go on to an examination and CTG (fetal heart monitoring). Staff check how your baby is doing and how you are feeling, and then explain whether you stay or go home with recommendations.
- Bring the envelope with documents and your pregnancy record.
- Expect an examination and CTG tracing — these are usually the first steps.
- Ask what stage you are at and what happens next.
- Ask for your birth partner to be allowed to stay with you if the hospital permits it.
How to time contractions so the conversation is easier
When contractions appear, it helps to note their start, end, and the gaps between them. A sheet of paper and a pencil or a simple counter on your phone will do. These notes help the midwife judge what is happening and give you a sense of doing something. Also note whether the contractions are weaker or more distinct, and whether other symptoms accompany them.
- Note the start and end time of each contraction.
- Note how long the gaps between contractions are.
- Mark whether the contractions are getting stronger.
- Take the sheet of paper with you to the hospital.
The mucus plug — what to do when you notice it at home
Losing the mucus plug can be one of the first signs that your cervix is ripening, but on its own it does not settle that labor has begun. Many people notice a larger amount of jelly-like discharge at this point, sometimes with streaks of blood. If nothing else is happening, you can stay home and watch your body. If in doubt, call the labor and delivery ward and describe what you see — the midwife will suggest what to do next.
- Note when you noticed the discharge and what it looked like.
- Pay attention to whether bleeding appears — if so, call right away.
- Do not use tampons during this time.
- Ask the midwife whether your description calls for a visit.
Going home from the maternity unit
Sometimes after the examination at the maternity unit you go back home if there is no reason for admission. That does not mean something was missed — such an outcome can be part of the plan. Ask then which symptoms should bring you back and whom to contact. Also note when the next check-up falls, and go home in peace.
- Ask exactly which symptoms mean you should return immediately.
- Note the labor and delivery ward's number and its opening hours.
- Ask for written information about the recommendations.
- Agree with your loved ones on who will be ready for the next trip.
When to contact a doctor
- • With vaginal bleeding, do not wait for the outcome of a call — phone right away.
- • If you no longer feel your baby's movements the way you did before, seek help without delay.
- • If you go to the maternity unit and return home, ask which symptoms should bring you back.
- • In a life-threatening situation, call 112.
When to call a doctor or midwife
- • Contractions that become regular and build up — call and ask when to come in.
- • Your water breaking, especially if it is green or brownish — go to the hospital.
- • A clear decrease in your baby's movements — contact the labor and delivery ward the same day.
- • Vaginal bleeding, or a severe headache with vision disturbances.
In a life-threatening situation call 112 or go to the nearest maternity hospital admission room — do not wait for a follow-up appointment.
Week 37 in detail
Week 37: how your baby is growing — Chard
Week thirty-seven is big news: your baby is officially full term! About the size of a bunch of chard (around 48 cm) and weighing about 2.8 kg. Your baby could arrive any moment and is ready for it. The grasp reflex is strong, and the lungs are mature.
Development at week 37
- Full-term status.
- Ready for life outside the womb.
- Strong grasp reflex.
Tip
Midwife's tip: full term doesn't mean your baby has to come out now — weeks 39–40 are the ideal moment. Give your baby time, and yourself peace.
Sources
- NHS — You and your baby at 37 weeks — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/28-to-40-weeks/37-weeks-pregnant/
- WHO — When pregnancy reaches term — www.who.int/health-topics/pregnancy
Week 37: tests and symptoms — CTG at every visit
At thirty-seven weeks you may notice your mucus plug coming away — a jelly-like discharge, sometimes streaked with blood. It's a sign your cervix is starting to ripen, but it doesn't mean labor is imminent. CTG is now done at every visit.
The mucus plug — what it means
- It sealed the cervix throughout pregnancy.
- Coming away is a sign the cervix is ripening.
- Labor may start in days — or even weeks.
CTG — monitoring
- Done at every visit late in pregnancy.
- Records the fetal heartbeat and contractions.
- Painless and safe.
Tip
Midwife's tip: losing the plug doesn't 'start the clock'. Keep calm and observe — and if you see bright red bleeding, contact your doctor.
Sources
- NHS — Signs of labour — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-of-labour/
Week 37: Full term! — what you can do today
Week thirty-seven is for resting and wrapping up your preparations. Labor could start any moment, so it's worth having your documents ready and your head calm. It's a marathon, not a sprint — recharge your batteries.
Your tasks for this week
- Get documents ready: ID, maternity notes, birth plan.
- Rest and sleep whenever you can.
- Trim your to-do list to the minimum.
How to keep your calm
- Practice diaphragmatic breathing daily.
- Do something pleasant — a bath, a walk.
- Talk about your feelings with someone close.
Tip
Midwife's tip: late in pregnancy, less is more. Slow down and give yourself space — that's the best preparation.
Sources
- NHS — You and your baby at 37 weeks — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/28-to-40-weeks/37-weeks-pregnant/
Medical disclaimer
This article is educational in nature and does not replace advice from a doctor, midwife or other specialist. If in doubt, contact your attending physician.
This week is awaiting medical review: the page is not indexed and carries no ads until the content has been verified by a medically qualified person.
Sources
We base our content on these documents. Every medical claim in the guide is reflected in one of the publications below.
- NHS — "Pregnancy": care during pregnancy and preparing for birth — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/
- NICE — "Antenatal care" (NG201) — www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201
- WHO — "WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience" — www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549912
- NHS — You and your baby at 37 weeks — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/28-to-40-weeks/37-weeks-pregnant/
- WHO — When pregnancy reaches term — www.who.int/health-topics/pregnancy
- NHS — Signs of labour — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-of-labour/