what is full term?

ellie15 · December 2010

I think my Dr said that he would attempt to stop labor before 36 weeks. But at what point (normally) will Drs let you have your baby if contractions are present? Is full term at 37 or 38 weeks? Or does it just depend on the Dr and momma-to-be? Just curious...

MrsYam · December 2010

37 weeks is considered full term.

darlene'smommy · December 2010

It depends on your doctor and hospital. Some say you are term at 36 weeks some say term is 37 weeks. My doctor says 36 weeks is term. Your not full term until 40 weeks tho

tigerlily71 · December 2010

Full term is the end of the 37th week. Three weeks before your due date. Plenty of websites have it wrong.

KeKy1130 · December 2010

darlene'smommy:
It depends on your doctor and hospital. Some say you are term at 36 weeks some say term is 37 weeks. My doctor says 36 weeks is term. Your not full term until 40 weeks tho

I agree with this. Full term is 40 weeks. Mostly from what I hear term is 37-39 weeks. There's late preterm which is like 35 and 36 weeks. Then preterm is 34 and under. Did I confuse you more!

harmony8283 · December 2010

MrsYam:
37 weeks is considered full term.

this

completelyundefinable · December 2010

37 weeks

outdoorsygirl123 · December 2010

My OB considers 36 weeks FT. I had my 37 week appt. yesterday with u/s and everything looks good to go. If I go into labor early (like I did with #2) they will simply take her via c/s (I'm a repeat c/s mama)

pawcall · December 2010

Echoing others here, but my OB says "full term" is 40 weeks. That said, I believe he wouldn't try to stop labor after 36 weeks.

It's confusing, and I try not to think about it too much, or I just get too anxious to meet my little boy ;-)

houndbaby · December 2010

37 weeks

HUrquiza · December 2010

I had my appointment yesterday and the OBGYN said if I were to go into labor now they wouldn't stop it... that doesn't mean I'm "full" term, but that the baby would have a great chance in the outside world. The best thing is for your baby to go to 40 weeks, but 36 is acceptable, too.

sbhughes09 · December 2010

37 weeks = lung maturity = full term

girllennon · December 2010

I have learned from another board that full term is 38 weeks.

DaniGirl0517 · December 2010

I just want to add that it is an estimation based on averages. 40 is average "full" term but 37 weeks is average term. My friend was considered to be term at her 36th week appt but even then she didn't deliver until 41w3d after being induced.

skoogirl · December 2010

Well, according to Dr. Bradley the average first time mom doesn't deliver until 40 weeks and 6 days, so even the 40 weeks is wrong in terms of letting nature take it's course.

I've read of horror stories where women have had scheduled c-sections at 38 weeks because the doctor considered the baby "full-term" and the baby's lungs weren't ready.

izzourclue · December 2010

My OB made the distinction between "term" and "full term." Term is 37 weeks, full term is 40 weeks, 36 weeks is "near term" anything before that is considered premature.

tigerlily71 · December 2010

I got my info from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and The March of Dimes.

It is better to deliver closer to 40 weeks but the medical definition of 'full term" is a pregnancy that lasts from the end of the 37th week to the end of the 42nd.

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