36 weeks=full term?

croberts22

While talking to a friend who is due this fall it came up in conversation that her doctor considers 36 weeks full term.  I had never heard that before and (foot in mouth) said I would be seriously questioning my doctor if it was me.  I know I was told not to travel after 36 weeks because you could deliver at any time, but not that it was full term.  I know it doesn't really matter, but I keep thinking about it and was wondering if anyone else had heard or been told that by their doctor. 

sparkymcgeee

I had pre-term labor from 31 weeks on. Bed rest and the whole thing. At 34w6d I went in again because of contractions. I got a shot of terbutaline and my doctor said in the follow up appointment that if she had been on call she probably wouldn't have given me the shot because at that point the baby would have been ok and there are some sucky side effects from the drug.

She did say she was glad the baby didn't come though. She ended up arriving at 38w4d. 

I would be like you. I would seriously question my doctor that considered that full term. I think in my case there are only so many times you can stop labor before you get to a point that you just let it happen. She repeatedly said I just want you to make it to 36 weeks. 

everam01

I was told 37 weeks = term, 40 weeks = full term.

My boys were born at 36 1/2 weeks and were considered late-term premature. 

mrbear83

agree with pps. Sketch-sounding to me!

SCasey32

I've always been told 37...
But ideally they want as close to 40-41 weeks as possible.

I think I'd be considering a new doctor if I were her.