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Why is the lower abdomen pulling at 37 weeks of pregnancy and what to do?
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
When there is very little time left before the birth of the child, many pregnant women are worried about the pulling sensation in their lower abdomen at 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Let's figure out what this is connected with and whether it is worth worrying about.
Causes 37-weeks-pregnancy lower abdominal pulling pains
So, what are the reasons for the pulling sensation in the lower abdomen at 37 weeks of pregnancy?
How much do you think the uterus increases in size by the last two or three weeks of pregnancy? 25 times!
During a normal pregnancy at 37 weeks (corresponding to 9 obstetric months), the fetus weighs up to 2.5-2.9 kg (with a height of 45-50 cm), plus amniotic fluid. In general, the heaviness is sufficient to cause a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen.
In addition, the stomach at this stage is pulling because the baby in the uterus is descending lower - into the pelvic cavity, closer to the symphysis (pubic symphysis), and this more strongly stretches both the ligaments of the pubic symphysis and the ligaments between the bones of the pelvic ring and the sacrum.
It should be borne in mind that during childbirth, which quite often begins at this stage, the pregnancy is considered full-term, and the child is physiologically ready to begin life outside the mother’s womb.
So, if there is a strong pulling pain in the lower abdomen at 37 weeks of pregnancy, and there is also a symptom in the form of sporadic contractions of the uterus (for 30 seconds to a minute), then this may be the first sign of approaching labor. Although the so-called false Braxton Hicks contractions may occasionally occur at the end of the second and throughout the third trimester of gestation - especially in the evening after an active day.
Some gynecologists consider them "training" of the uterine muscles, others - muscle contractions that increase the blood flow to the placenta for more favorable conditions for the development of the fetus. But not all pregnant women feel these arrhythmic (and not increasing!) contractions.
By the way, this symptom is named after its discoverer, the British obstetrician John Braxton Hicks, who described it in 1872.
Triggers for the appearance of false contractions and pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, that is, risk factors, include: physical activity of the pregnant woman, someone touching her abdomen, a full bladder, sex, dehydration (lack of fluid).
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Pathogenesis
Explaining the pathogenesis of periodic increase in uterine tone, which causes a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen, experts point out the physiologically conditioned increase in the production of the neurohormone oxytocin by the hypothalamus, which is characteristic of late pregnancy (after 34-35 weeks), and which, acting on the muscle protein actomyosin, ensures contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus during labor.
Symptoms 37-weeks-pregnancy lower abdominal pulling pains
As obstetricians and gynecologists note, symptoms of pulling sensations in the lower abdomen at 37 weeks of pregnancy - muscle tension ("hardening" of the uterine muscles) and some pain in the lower abdominal cavity - are much more often complained of by expectant mothers who have hypertonicity of the uterus, provoked either by hormonal imbalance or a large fetus and a large volume of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).
Who to contact?
Treatment 37-weeks-pregnancy lower abdominal pulling pains
As you yourself understand, no treatment for pulling sensations in the lower abdomen at 37 weeks of pregnancy is provided, and it is not required, since labor may begin any day now.
And to ease the discomfort, women are advised to change their body position more often: if you have been sitting for a long time, walk around; if you have been walking or standing for a long time, lie down. Do not allow your bladder to overflow and empty it in time. A warm shower and drinking enough fluids also help.
And at any moment, be ready for the beginning of the process of the birth of your long-awaited baby.