37 weeks pregnant, belly dropping and discomfort

The 37th week of pregnancy is the late stage of pregnancy. During this period, the pregnant woman's belly will become larger, so she will also experience various discomforts. The discomfort of a heavy belly is a problem that many pregnant women encounter. This situation may be caused by the enlargement of the uterus or there may be problems with your physical health. If it is the latter, you must go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time.

1. What causes the belly to drop in the late pregnancy?

It is quite common to feel a sinking feeling in the belly during late pregnancy. Generally, the feeling of abdominal heaviness is caused by the enlargement of the uterus in the late pregnancy. The uterine ligaments will be involved, and the growing fetus will cause a feeling of pressure on the body. If there are no other discomfort symptoms, it is normal to have a feeling of abdominal heaviness in the late pregnancy. If other symptoms occur such as bleeding or stomach pain, you should consider whether you are feeling unwell and it is best to go to the hospital for a check-up immediately. In the late pregnancy, pregnant women should pay attention to rest, avoid activities and exercise, and stop doing housework. If the feeling of falling is more obvious, it is recommended to stay in bed to protect the fetus.

The fetus usually enters the pelvis between the 36th week of pregnancy and before the onset of labor pains. For first-time mothers, the uterus usually enters the pelvis two weeks before the expected date of delivery, while for mothers who have given birth before, the uterus usually enters the pelvis before the onset of labor pains. However, some mothers complete the entire process within a few days. When the fetus enters the pelvis, the expectant mother's belly will look different from before. The chest will no longer touch the belly, and the shape of the belly will look a bit like a grapefruit. It will feel a little more relaxed than when the belly is at its largest. When the fetus enters the pelvis, many pregnant women often feel a tightening and heavy pain in their abdomen, as if the fetus in their abdomen is descending. The pelvis is moving, which means that delivery is approaching. Pregnant women can make preparations in all aspects based on this signal to welcome the arrival of the baby.

2. Precautions in late pregnancy

1. Prepare the delivery bag

It is generally recommended that pregnant women start preparing their delivery bags when they are 7 months pregnant. This way they can take their time to select and prepare, and avoid being in a panic when encountering emergencies. The delivery bag is a general term for the various items that a woman prepares for delivery, hospitalization, and confinement, including mother's supplies, baby's supplies, and important items for hospitalization. Expectant mothers should be reminded that the first 100 days after a newborn baby is a critical period for skin care. Johnson & Johnson Baby's Global Select Newborn series selects global star products, specially customized for newborn skin, and provides more professional and segmented care for different parts of the newborn baby's body. It gives one-stop care for newborn babies and is the most reassuring choice of skin care kit for new mothers.

2. Sleeping position in late pregnancy

In the late stages of pregnancy, it is best to sleep on your left side, with the leg on the side close to the bed kept bent. With the ventral side against the bed, you will feel safer. For expectant mothers whose legs are often swollen, they can put pillows or bolsters under their legs to raise their legs when lying on their side. This improves blood circulation in the legs and reduces fatigue. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or back during pregnancy. Sleeping on your stomach will press your abdomen, which is not good for the fetus or the pregnant woman. If you sleep on your back in the late pregnancy, the enlarged uterus will press on your spine and hinder blood circulation.

3. Stomach ache

In the late stages of pregnancy, expectant mothers may sometimes experience lower abdominal pain due to false labor when resting at night. The pain usually lasts only a few seconds, with intervals of up to several hours. It is not accompanied by a feeling of falling, and the symptoms will be relieved during the day. If an expectant mother suddenly feels persistent severe pain in the lower abdomen, it may be premature birth or a sign of uterine rupture. You should go to the hospital for treatment in time and do not delay.

4. Diarrhea

Once an expectant mother develops diarrhea, the main treatment measure is appropriate fluid replacement to replenish the water and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea, especially potassium ions, and the calories lost due to diarrhea. At the same time, the fetus should be closely observed to see if it is in good condition and whether there are any signs of premature birth.

5. Diet for late pregnancy

As pregnancy approaches the end, the fetus will move further down the pelvic cavity, so the pressure on the gastrointestinal tract will decrease and the appetite will become strong again. Mothers in the late stages of pregnancy should increase their protein intake and try to eat more animal protein and soy foods. You should also take in an appropriate amount of essential fatty acids and eat some animal liver to supplement iron.