Can someone explain fullterm=37 weeks??

skiwic8

I have seen a number of posts lately saying they are full term at only 37 weeks.  Does that just mean if labor started they wouldn't not try to stop it?  Why would they not at least attempt to stop it?  There must be pretty significant development between a 37 weeker and 40 weeker, ie. lung development.  And why would nature make gestation 40 weeks if 37 weeks is "fullterm".

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question.  I have just never heard this 37 week thing...my doctor focuses on 40 weeks.

AllieJean

Personally I will not consider myself full term till 40 weeks. But yeah pretty much they will start inductions/and let labor happen any time after 37 weeks. I dont have the statistics in front of me but some NICU's are getting much more traffic since babies are being born at 37 weeks and their little lungs just arent really ready

asf619

Even though your due date is 3 weeks away, if your baby were to be born now, his/her lungs would likely be developed enough for him/her to be able to breathe on his/her own and adjust to life outside the womb.

jlslaugh

As far as I know its because the lungs ARE fully developed at 37 weeks.

Heididdles

It just means they don't stop labor at this point. I definitely want to make it to 40 weeks and I'm sure my doctor does too, but if my body starts labor, there's no going back at this point. At my 36 week appointment my doctor said they wouldn't stop labor which seemed crazy to me, but I'm assuming it's because LO has dropped and is head down and engaged. I'm planning on keeping her in me the next 3 weeks. I want her nice and cooked.

cherylnicole

asf619:

Even though your due date is 3 weeks away, if your baby were to be born now, his/her lungs would likely be developed enough for him/her to be able to breathe on his/her own and adjust to life outside the womb.

This is what i've always read and no they normally wouldn't stop labor after 37 weeks 

CarolinaKatie

Yes, lungs are developed at 37 weeks. Basically, it means you made it to the safe zone. Baby might be a little small since they put on like 1/2 a week in the last month, but maybe not. I had a friend have a baby at 37 weeks and he was 7.5 lbs! If my son was exactly 3 weeks early, born at 37 weeks, his bday would have been 7-7-07. I was kind of rooting for that! But alas, he came a week late in August!

cutekissis101

At 37 a babies lungs are developed. They don't need to bake any longer.

haleybeth81

You are full term as of 36-37 weeks.  After that time they are pretty much just putting on weight.  Some babies have a hard time at this time but most are ready for the world.  My DD was born at 38 wks and she came all on her own.  They tell you 40 wks because most babies don't come early and they don't want to get 20 calls a day saying."where the hell is my baby" lol.

designgrl7

your due date is based not on development but rather the average date that a women delivers from the time of conception- sometimes altered a couple of days based upon measurement of fetus at first ultrasound.

however babies are considered fully developed at 37 wks though some recent studies have shown that there is some important cognitive development between 37wks and 40wks

at the same time the drugs to stop labor can be harmful to mom and baby so the risk factor means that most hospitals will not try to stop labor after 35/36wks

LouRN09

AllieJean:

Personally I will not consider myself full term till 40 weeks. But yeah pretty much they will start inductions/and let labor happen any time after 37 weeks. I dont have the statistics in front of me but some NICU's are getting much more traffic since babies are being born at 37 weeks and their little lungs just arent really ready

Ditto all of this! I have read some studies lately where it shows those last few weeks are pretty crucial. Sure, your baby will more than likely be fine born at 37 weeks, but they are still developing in different ways. Babies need that extra weight to help manage their temperature, which is often why babies might need to spend some time in the NICU.

g8trkim

My understanding is that they are fully developed at 37 weeks... obviously there are exceptions to this. Basically anything after 37 is gravy.

lesalia217

Yes, to what everyone else said about about 37 weeks.  40 weeks is just the average gestation for humans.  certainly a good goal to reach, but 37 is fine. 

Jenelle101

asf619:

Even though your due date is 3 weeks away, if your baby were to be born now, his/her lungs would likely be developed enough for him/her to be able to breathe on his/her own and adjust to life outside the womb.

This. And I was told that they would not stop labor after 34 weeks.