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Sooo.... 39-40 weeks is the "new" Full Term?

luvlieKluvlieK member
in Eco-Friendly Family
I was reading during my appointment today and it said that it has generally been considered that full term is after 37 weeks.  But they are changing that to 39-40 weeks.  Anyone heard this?
47 months &
11 months
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Re: Sooo.... 39-40 weeks is the "new" Full Term?

  • CABunnyCABunny member
    I did see a blurb on Google news about the dangers of elective early births (duh) - maybe that article was prompted by this change?
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  • aspadeaspade member
    When I think of the impatience of most OBs to let babies fully cook, this makes sense to me.  Don't most first babies come at 41 weeks, for example?
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  • tinamichelletinamichelle
    My aunt was saying this yesterday.
    "Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." -- Rabindranath Tagore Recycling is like laughter, it's contagious! Invite all your friends!" Image and video hosting by TinyPicimageImage and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPicimage
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  • Ris1127Ris1127
    Yes I heard this. At my 37 week OB visit my dr said "37 weeks is "full term" but full term isn't until the baby is born or if it's elective after 39-40 weeks". My c-s was scheduled for 3 days before I was 40 weeks, and I'm glad it wasn't earlier.
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  • MissyOlivePantsMissyOlivePants
    I think that's great!  While I hope that doesn't change things for birthing centers (FL law is you must be 37-42 wks) and require them to be at least 39wks... but I do think there should be a limit on how early one can have a c/s or induction unless absolutely medically necessary (life or death).
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  • VABride2008VABride2008 member
    I have heard this too.  I read that at 37 weeks their lungs aren't fully developed.  And in response to a PP, my first was born at exactly 41 weeks.  They had scheduled me for an induction and started pit but I was basically progressing on my own.  
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  • BoizmomBoizmom member

    Yeah actually I have heard this.  My OB told me this when I was pregnant with Z.  Between when I had Wyatt and when I got pregnant with Zane a lot of things started changing in regards to what full term really is.  He said that more and more babies born at 37 and 38 weeks are having difficulties when they are first born so Drs are being encouraged to not induce labor before 39 weeks. 

    I was on bed rest from 32 weeks until I was 37 weeks.  The day I went in for my 37 week appointment (while at the office) I went into labor.  When he checked me I was already a 4.  There was no way he could have stopped my labor at that point.  If he could have he would have.  Zane did have difficulties regulating his body temp and breathing issues when he was born.  After a couple days in the NICU he was fine though.  

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  • luvlieKluvlieK member
    blah it just made me a little sad because I was thinking I was only one week away from full term with C.  Oh well.  Its not like I could have done anything about it.
    47 months &
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  • blissfully_caffeinatedblissfully_caffeinated
    I don't think they're changing things so much as clarifying. When I was in labor (early - the first time) they told me that 37 weeks is considered full term. After that babies rarely have problems. It is my understanding that they virtually never stop labor after 37 weeks. So they used to say that was full term. But then they had women wanting to deliver right at 37 weeks because that was "full term" so they're just changing the terms to try to combat that.
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  • Lotte134Lotte134

    I think it's great! I'm always amazed how many doctors don't seem to think those extra weeks are important.  I had a 38-week baby and he was great, but he came on his own and that is a huge difference.

    Luvlie, don't beat yourself up.  I'm certain there is nothing you did that made C come early and he's happy and healthy and obviously a very bright little boy

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  • papagenapapagena member

    imageluvlieK:
    blah it just made me a little sad because I was thinking I was only one week away from full term with C.  Oh well.  Its not like I could have done anything about it.

    Don't feel guilty - he came on his own.  My friend had her lil' guy at 35 weeks, and other than some jaundice, he didn't have any issues.  Not her fault or her body's, some babies just like to get started a bit earlier. 

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