At the time of 37 weeks of pregnancy, the child is ready to be born, and the expectant mother can expect the early onset of labor. During this period it is better to refuse long trips. It is also time to prepare all the necessary things in the hospital. And how does your baby develop on this date?
Baby at 37 weeks gestation
The child is already considered full, but his body is still developing. During this period, the baby's nervous system is strengthened, the lungs actively produce a surfactant, an active substance that prevents the alveoli from sticking together and the inflammation of the lungs. A sufficient amount of surfactant will allow the child to breathe freely oxygen after birth.
The digestive system of the baby has already formed and can digest food. Due to the fact that the intestine and mucous membrane of the stomach is already covered with villous epithelium, which helps absorb nutrients, the body can absorb vitamins and microelements. The fetus at 37 weeks of pregnancy is able to retain and maintain the heat of its body.
During this period, the adrenal glands of the fetus increase and begin to actively develop a hormone that promotes the normal adaptation of the baby to the outside world and reduces the manifestations of stress. The nervous system develops and forms a membrane around the nerve endings, performing a protective function.
The body of the fetus at 37 weeks begins to be covered with original grease, which protects the baby's skin. On the head of the baby has already appeared hair covering up to 3-4 cm. However, in some children, hair on the head at birth may be absent, this is the norm.
37 weeks gestation - fetal weight
At the gestational age of 37 weeks the weight of the child grows due to the constant increase in fat tissue. In a day the baby is gaining about 30 grams of weight. The total weight reaches 2.5-3 kg, and in some cases 3.5 kg. Boys, as a rule, are born by weight more girls. Also, with the second birth, compared with the first, the weight of the fetus is greater. The large size of the fetus (more than 4 kg) may be an indication for caesarean section, but this also depends on other factors (the health of the mother and others).
Ultrasound at 37 weeks of gestation
The final date of delivery is put on the last ultrasound, which, as a rule, is carried out in 33-34 weeks. But sometimes a doctor can prescribe another study to clarify the size of the fetus and its position in the uterine cavity. Normal headache is considered normal, but it happens that the baby is located legs or buttocks down. This presentation in many cases is an indication for prompt delivery. The wiggling of the fetus at 37 weeks gestation is no longer so active. Therefore, if you have not determined the sex of the child on past ultrasound, now it is no longer possible.