37 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore

I know I mentioned that mild swelling of your feet and ankles is normal in pregnancy, but there are times that swelling can be a cause for concern. One thing you might be at risk for at 37 weeks, and really any point during pregnancy, is preeclampsia. 

If your swelling is severe or if it is accompanied by a headache that won’t go away, vision changes, sudden weight gain, stomach, shoulder, or lower back pain, sudden nausea, or shortness of breath or chest pain, it could be something more serious and you need to be evaluated. 

Other symptoms not to ignore include: 

• Decrease or change in fetal movement
• Any kind of vaginal bleeding
• Signs your water might have broken
• Intuition that something might be off

If your provider (or anyone else for that matter) tells you that it’s normal for babies to move less the bigger they get, do not listen! Babies absolutely should not move less the bigger they get.

If you notice a decrease or change in their movement you need to call your OB and/or head to your place of delivery immediately for evaluation!  The last thing we want you to do is sit around your house and worry when you can easily be evaluated and have a peace of mind.

Sudden exhaustion at 37 weeks pregnant

If you are experiencing sudden exhaustion at 37 weeks, you aren’t alone. Your body has basically been running the longest, most demanding marathon of your entire life. 

Cut yourself some slack and try and take those little breaks whenever you can find them!

Fatigue and exhaustion is one of the most common complaints throughout pregnancy, especially towards the end. A sudden increase in exhaustion at 37 weeks might be related to an abrupt shift in hormones that can potentially indicate labor is coming. 

I’m not encouraging you to hop in your car and rush to the hospital but just a little somethin’, somethin’ to keep in mind! 

37 weeks pregnant and swollen down below

Does everything feel swollen to you right now? I’m sure you are familiar with swollen hands, feet, and ankles during pregnancy, but did you know that you can also swell down below as well. 

Thanks to your not-so-dear friend, gravity plus an increase in blood volume during pregnancy, it’s actually not uncommon for women to experience swelling in their labia too. 

Common reasons for labial swelling in the third trimester include fluid retention, increased blood volume, added pressure, and varicose veins. 

I know that we often think of varicose veins being in our legs and feet, but they can actually show up in your labia and vulva too. You can treat vaginal and labial swelling just like you would treat any other kind of swelling. 

Staying hydrated can help flush out excess water, perineal ice packs on your vagina can help reduce inflammation, and compression garments can help increase blood circulation. 

37 weeks pregnant ultrasound

If your provider is recommending an ultrasound at 37 weeks it’s probably related to concerns or questions about baby’s growth. 

There are come complications and medical conditions during pregnancy labor that can put you at an increased risk for having a baby that is either too large or too small. 

Things such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can put baby at risk for being either larger or smaller than expected. 

An ultrasound can not only give us a size estimate, but certain ultrasounds can also monitor the blood flow through the umbilical cord to baby to see if baby is getting adequate blood flow and nutrients needed for growth.