37 weeks?

[MommaShark]

Okay - by my calculations I am 37 weeks today (Dr says Monday) - either way would you feel comfortable delivering at 37 weeks or is that still a little too early? Not like I can make it happen but I'm not sure I want to resume too much activity (been on bed rest) as the contractions are so much more intense and regular when I move about. With DS 1 I always heard 38 weeks, now I hear 37.............
TIA

[dmariev]

Personally, if I went into labor at 37 weeks, I would have no problem with it. "Term" is considered to be 37 weeks. If your LO and body are ready at 37 weeks, I wouldn't be concerned. But, that's just my opinion, and I'm sure not everyone feels that way!

[HippieHugger]

I would be comfortable delivering then. I'm only 37W3D. but I was comfortable with the idea of delivering at about 36.5 weeks. I would just trust your intuition.

[phrogger]

You are due the same day as me right? June 29th? (I will be 37w on monday) I am SOOOO beyond ready to have this kid that I would be more then happy to go today. Monday would be fine, but I would prefer today.

My second son was born at 36w5d so I know what that has created for me. He was fine, totally healthy with no problems nursing etc. He just had a little jaundice, but I never even took him in for that.

So really, this kid can get out any time now.

[MommaShark]

thanks ladies!

[Alohamelly]

I would have been totally fine with delivering at 37 weeks! I'm almost 41 now and still no baby.

[TrishWSU]

Yes, I'd be comfortable at 37 weeks. I'd probably even be comfortable delivering at 36 weeks (at home even.) It would really depend on what my intuition is telling me at the time.

[dogmom327]

Not a problem from my perspective but DS came at 37w6d and looked like he was over-baked a bit (and yes I am very sure of my dates) so I don't think I cook babies very long.

[maxwill129]

I delivered my last at 37 weeks. He did fine!

[lexbeach]

I wouldn't schedule a birth (by induction or c-section) for 37 weeks (unless medically indicated, of course!), but if you go into labor on your own at that point, the baby should be perfectly fine. Some babies don't have sufficient surfactant or haven't developed a strong enough suck reflex until more like 38 weeks, but those are the babies who likely wouldn't choose to come until after 38 weeks.

Our midwife is comfortable attending homebirths anytime after 36 weeks (and thus, I would be fine with our baby choosing to come anytime after that point--and we're at 37w3d today, and baby is welcome to be born ).

Lex

[MommaShark]

Definitely not scheduling ANYTHING!!!! I'd go to 42 if I need to - just if I get off bed rest my contractions can be pretty intense and regular so just whether or not to get up

[ell]

I'm 37 weeks on Monday and while I am nowhere near ready mentally (or in terms of being baby-ready - we don't even have furniture to put anything in) - I would not worry about baby's health were I to give birth tomorrow. I'd actually be a bit thankful that she didn't have three more weeks to grow to 9 pounds or something equally vagina-frightening.

[midnightmommy]

I delivered at exactly 37 weeks (according to early ultrasound...it could have been a couple of days over though.) She is doing just fine! The only issue she had was jaundice and her numbers are coming down on their own.

[emma00]

I would be completely comfortable (delivered my last at 37 wks) and was hoping this one was coming at 37 wks - but alas here I am... 37 +5

I was on bedrest for threatened pre-term at 28 weeks. Was lifted to limited activity a couple weeks later. At 34 weeks I resumed more "normal" but still light activity and at 35weeks forward I pretty much did whatever I felt like I could do. Which included some fairly heavy activity for some days. My intense contractions continue without any sign of either stopping or turning into actual labour. So - you may continue to have the contractions but not necessarily go into labour right away.

Personally I am pretty tired of feeling like I'm in a version of "early labour" for the past 8 + weeks. I have decided to stop paying any attention to my endless contractions until they are so strong that I can't help but not pay attention.

I would listen to your body and do what you feel up to doing.

[pearl2]

I am 37 weeks today. For selfish reasons, she is "allowed" to come out June 10 or later. Mama here needs to go see her concert on June 9 and finish up the school year, also done June 9

But honestly, if she came out, that would all be fine with me.

[rivkah]

Originally Posted by lexbeach

I wouldn't schedule a birth (by induction or c-section) for 37 weeks (unless medically indicated, of course!), but if you go into labor on your own at that point, the baby should be perfectly fine. Some babies don't have sufficient surfactant or haven't developed a strong enough suck reflex until more like 38 weeks, but those are the babies who likely wouldn't choose to come until after 38 weeks.

Our midwife is comfortable attending homebirths anytime after 36 weeks (and thus, I would be fine with our baby choosing to come anytime after that point--and we're at 37w3d today, and baby is welcome to be born ).

Lex

:

I think I'd be fine with spontaneous labor at 37 weeks, but not an induction. Not all babies develop at the same rate--some do great at 37 weeks and some need a little more time.

[MommaShark]

Thanks - I've been getting up and around and doing some light house work.....I just don't want to have NO muscles left when it's time!!!! I'll do what feels good and stop when I need to. I just wasn't sure about those last 3 weeks.....how much development occurs.....my DH is adamant about me still being on bed rest unti l39 weeks!!!! He's funny. It's not going to happen!

[aestesfl]

Here's my experience with a 37 "weeker"-

My first son was born at 37w 5d. My water broke but I didn't go into labor on my own. He was born 47 hours later after lots of herbs and nipple stimulation. There was a storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico and I think that may be why my water broke.

My son was born very healthy and big (8#5oz) but wouldn't latch on the breast and I ended up pumping and syringe feeding him for about a week. It took until right around his due date to really get the nursing down. He was also a bit fussy.

My second son was born at 41w 2d. He was such a fabulous nurser from the start and more easy going.

[RachaelsMommy]

If it was me and I thought I could keep the baby in a little longer by taking it easy, then I probably would.

[MommaShark]

The last 2 posters and my DH agree.......I compromised by saying I'd take it easy but not stay on bed rest!!!!