37 Weeks: A Checklist for The Last Weeks

Today I want to chat a bit about what’s on your radar at 37 weeks of pregnancy. It can be really overwhelming at that stage because it feels like your body is OVER this, but you still have a bit to get prepared, so I’m glad you’re here. Let me share what’s essential so you can enjoy some naptime when you’re done with those. 🙂

And, don’t feel like you need to take notes. I’ve got a whole third trimester checklist that has so many of these in there. So grab it now!

Labor Can Come

You’ve had preterm labor on your radar for the past 7 months or so, but it’s time to let that go and realize that it’s AOK for baby to come now. Things you used to worry about that you don’t have to now:

A tiny bit of bleeding — normally that’s something to have you head right into your provider, but at this stage a tiny bit of bleeding (like, less the size of a quarter 💰) isn’t unusual. It can be from a vaginal exam, sex or just labor maybe considering starting. Obviously, ANY questions on this — be sure to ask your provider!

Pro Tip: Bleeding can be in a variety of forms this late in the game. Dark brown blood (might see it in your mucus plug) is older blood that has collected and then comes out, and brighter red is new bleeding — and can be a bit more concerning if there’s a lot of it. I have a bit more in this post on spotting later in pregnancy.

Contractions — While a contraction now and then during your pregnancy isn’t too disconcerting, you’re likely going to feel more and more. Personally, I think you should ignore them until you’re starting to see a pattern. Talk with your provider about what you should be seeing before you go to the hospital (it’s individual for everyone << and that post will give you tips on what info to get from your provider).

Want to know more about labor signs or contractions? — check out these posts:

• Does Sleeping Stop Contractions?
• What to Do When You’re Having Contractions
• Where do You Feel Contractions?
• Contractions on The Monitor But You’re Not Feeling Them: What does that mean?
• Secret Keys to Labor that No One Talks About

Now, that isn’t to say you ignore your whole body — we’ll talk more about what you really need to watch for at this point, so keep reading!

GBS Status?

It would be awesome to find out what your GBS (group beta strep) status is at your next appointment. Every now and then we can’t find your prenatal record right when you get there, so if you know it, it helps!

In fact, there are a few labs I recommend everyone know that I did a podcast episode on.

Some of our doctors had a little card they gave patients that included their blood type, RPR, Measles immunity plus their GBS — and it was handy!

Hospital Tour?

Have you taken a hospital tour? If not, I’d recommend it. Honestly, even if you took one 6 months ago when you were deciding on a provider, I’d take it again.

There’s just so many good questions you can get answered, figure out how to park and navigate the hospital.

I’ve heard that lots of hospitals have taken their tours online which is a bummer. If you could take it in person or online tell me in the comments. 💬

I used to love giving tours of my hospital and answering questions. A real joy of my day. 🙂

Just make sure to plan on a nap before and after because it will likely be a good amount of walking (and bring water/snacks).

Sometimes this hospital tour is included in a….

Birth Class ✅

Now is the time to finish up that birth class.

Honestly, my hope is that the very basics are completed by 34 weeks, but you’re still in the clear to get it done now.

If you’re wanting to take a hospital class, you’re likely out of luck at this point, BUT it is not too late to get an online class. This one only takes 3 hours, it’s priced right and meant to include your partner. Honestly, doesn’t get better than that.

And, if you’re thinking you’ll skip a birth class I’ll just say — hold your horses.

Studies show that they decrease cesareans, inductions, assisted births and episiotomies/tears. You really need the full picture, and I recommend this one. ‘Nuff said.

Want to know more about birth classes? — check out these posts:

• Do You Need a Birth Class if You Plan to Get an Epidural
• Do Birth Classes Improve Birth Outcomes? What do the studies show?
• What Your Birth Class is Hiding
• Free Birth Class with Insurance
• Birth Classes: Everything you need to know to get prepared!

Baby ESSENTIALS ✅

Now is the time to get those essentials ready. Don’t worry, I have a baby checklist (although it’s included in that 3rd trimester prep pack I gave you above — so if you got that there then you’re good to go).

But if we’re going truly bare bones what you really need:

• Car seat (especially if you plan to drive home from the hospital — this is required!)
• Diapers/Wipes (although I often used paper towels with a tiny bit of baby wash in the first few days as their skin is so sensitive right off)
• Some sort of clothing – onsies are fine (and you don’t need a ton)
• Blankets to swaddle/tuck into carseat if it’s chilly
• A bit of formula/bottle (you can easily get it free if you signed up) — although, more if you don’t plan to breastfeed.

Personally, I’d want a few more things — that’s why I made that checklist.

Prioritize Prenatal Appointments

It’s really easy to feel like you’re seeing your provider more often than your husband at this point, but still prioritize those prenatal appointments.

Now is the prime time for things to go wrong — baby stops growing, your blood pressure spikes, you get preeclampsia. There’s a reason they see you so often, and if your visits are short count your blessings.

While we’re here, can you beg you to get a blood pressure cuff. I think every adult should own one. They’re not expensive and can be SO helpful. Grab one here! {affiliate link}

This is also a great time to do a final run through your birth plan with your provider so neither of you are caught off guard by things someone thinks. And if you don’t have a birth plan I have a free series here.

Know the Warning Signs

Knowing the warning signs this far into pregnancy is really important. Like I said above your prenatal checkups are strategically placed to catch things, but you gotta stay alert the rest of the time!

I have a whole post on pains that are actually warnings that is a great place to start.

When you’re at your next check-up be sure to ask them if there’s anything YOU should be watching for, specifically!

While we’re here, the postpartum warning signs will be really important in just a few weeks (and honestly, they overlap a LOT). I have a whole free series where I go through them with you.

Next Comes Rest

Ok, we prioritized appointments, but rest also has to take a front seat these last few weeks.

Your body is putting the finishing touches on bones, skin, lungs, eyes (and those ADORABLE eye LASHES). You have to let it do it’s thing and not get in it’s way.

And the best way to do that is to rest.

That may mean napping, that may mean just putting your feet up more.

Now is the time to listen to your body and give it what it needs.

Oh, and drink lots of water. That baby is taking fluids away from you like you won’t believe. Make sure you’re drinking a LOT (and making friends with the toilet, I know, and I’m sorry!– this is why some people love the catheter!).

Work?

What are you gonna do about work? Maybe you’re already off?

But if you’re still working make sure those work plans are finalized and you have all the paperwork you’ll need once baby is born.

And if you’re still unsure what your plan is, that’s OK. I worked right up til’ the day I had my first — and honestly, I sort of liked it. It kept my mind off the baby.

However, with my next 2 I was off a bit earlier and I wasn’t sad about that. I have a whole post on when to stop working you might find helpful!

Postpartum Supplies ✅

Do you have your postpartum supplies ready? I was literally the WORST at this. I’d have everything ready for baby without giving a thought to what I’d need for my sore bottom and bleeding.

I have a whole postpartum checklist (comes in that third trimester prep pack) that you can grab to make sure you’re ready.

While we’re here — figuring out your plan for postpartum is just as important as your plan for birth. Who will be in charge of what, who can you ask for help. I have a postpartum plan you can use as well (also comes in that prep pack — and yes, that thing is REALLY handy!)

Honestly, that plan can be really help for your…..

Partner Ready Too?

Partners often get left behind in the preparation.

That isn’t to say that they can’t be just as prepared as you — and that they shouldn’t be doing research on their own end, but honestly sometimes they have no idea, and we gotta encourage a bit.

My husband wasn’t prepared at all 👎. He sort of thought we’d each do our own thing like before we had a baby and it wasn’t that way at all. I couldn’t get off the bed without crying, and frankly — crying took up a lot of my day.

To be honest, neither of us were prepared for what happened to me postpartum but he was woefully prepared.

Way too many birth classes don’t remember the partner in the preparation and this one invites them in to prep as well.

Be sure to check out those reviews, often by partners — those sealed the deal for me!

So, those are what you have on your radar during those 37 weeks. What did I miss, tell me in the comments!

Here’s washing you a wonderful delivery — you’re so close, I think you’re going to do amazing! (especially if you’re prepared). 🙂