Final answer:
At 37 weeks pregnant, a person may experience mild contractions (often Braxton Hicks), back pain, frequent urination, varicose veins, and heartburn due to the growing fetus and uterus expansion. However, without cervical dilation and the mucus plug intact, as in Devin's case at 35 weeks, these are not signs of true labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
At 37 weeks pregnant, you may be experiencing various symptoms as you approach the end of your third trimester. It is common to feel diffuse, mild contractions, which are often Braxton Hicks contractions and not true labor. Real labor contractions will be regular, strong, and continuous. Additionally, significant changes occur in preparation for delivery such as the fetus dropping into a downward position, leading to a change in the shape of your abdomen, known as 'lightening' or 'dropping.' Mothers typically experience increased back pain, swelling of the extremities, frequent urination, varicose veins, and heartburn due to the expansion of the uterus and the size of the fetus. The mucus plug blocking the cervix usually remains intact until true labor begins, and the cervix will start to dilate in preparation for birth.
Devin, at 35 weeks pregnant, was likely experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions since her mucus plug was intact and no cervical dilation had occurred. She was advised to return home because she was not yet in true labor.