Can we discuss being "full term"

BLT20051 · May 2013

Term is "a biologic continuum between 37 and 41 weeks and those babies born early in term are different than those babies born at full term," he says.

Really, you're not full term at 37 weeks because the full gestational period is 40 weeks, you're term. That's what I'm reading/hearing. Am I confused? My OB brought this up yesterday when she was explaining she won't do internals or anything until 39 weeks.

https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20110523/study-gives-new-view-of-full-term-pregnancy

chelsmcl · May 2013

That's how I understand it too, 37 weeks is term, 40 is full term.

GingerBabyTX · May 2013

For the record, I wasn't trying to stir the pot on the other post. It seems to be an issue of semantics I wasn't aware of ("term" vs. "full term"). All I know is, I was going to be breathing another sigh of relief at 37 weeks (just like I did at 13 weeks, just like I did at 24 weeks -- the other milestones). From what I've heard/read, the baby has a really good chance of breathing on his/her own if delivered any time at or after 37 weeks.

RissNRuss · May 2013

Oops. My fail for not realizing there was a difference. Sailing away on my failboat today.....

JinglesChic · May 2013

Oh, whatever. It sounds like semantics. Your LO will no longer be considered preterm, so it really doesn't matter if you're "term" or "full term." (Not saying whatever to you, but to those who feel the need to make the distinction.) Now I do know that c/s's and inductions are not scheduled until after 39 weeks unless medically necessary because your EDD can be up to two weeks off. They don't want to induce at 38 weeks only to find out that your LO is really 36 weeks in size and development, because then they did cause the baby to be preterm (and no one wants their malpractice premiums to increase.)

I will say that there is absolutely no point to internals. Some will be clamed shut and can deliver a baby 12 hours later while some are walking around with no signs of labor at 5cm (this happened to a friend of mine.) I don't see why everyone is excited to get them done.

BLT20051 · May 2013

GingerBabyTX:
For the record, I wasn't trying to stir the pot on the other post. It seems to be an issue of semantics I wasn't aware of ("term" vs. "full term"). All I know is, I was going to be breathing another sigh of relief at 37 weeks (just like I did at 13 weeks, just like I did at 24 weeks -- the other milestones). From what I've heard/read, the baby has a really good chance of breathing on his/her own if delivered any time at or after 37 weeks.

I know you weren't. I just wanted to see if I was way off base or my OB is nuts.

GingerBabyTX · May 2013

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
GingerBabyTX:
For the record, I wasn't trying to stir the pot on the other post. It seems to be an issue of semantics I wasn't aware of ("term" vs. "full term"). All I know is, I was going to be breathing another sigh of relief at 37 weeks (just like I did at 13 weeks, just like I did at 24 weeks -- the other milestones). From what I've heard/read, the baby has a really good chance of breathing on his/her own if delivered any time at or after 37 weeks.

I know you weren't. I just wanted to see if I was way off base or my OB is nuts.

My OB hasn't even MENTIONED internals, and I'm kind of glad about that. I'm not ready to be poked and prodded just yet. I was just assuming we'd probably start them at the weekly appointments. I guess I'mma add that to next week's list of questions, so that's not a pleasant surprise at an upcoming appointment...

GingerBabyTX · May 2013

IrishCoffee7:
Also I didn't see the original post referenced so not pointing fingers at anyone, specifically not at GingerBaby :P.

I HATE CONFLICT AND JUST WANT EVERYONE TO LIKE ME AND GET ALONG. No, but seriously, I just didn't want to come across as a know-it-all. I know "it's the Internet," but what I'm hearing/reading is that there is a LOT of different information out there. Personally I'm going to try to be as ready as possible at 37 wks and then just wait. it. out.

BLT20051 · May 2013

GingerBabyTX:
Bacon+lettuce+tomato:

GingerBabyTX:
For the record, I wasn't trying to stir the pot on the other post. It seems to be an issue of semantics I wasn't aware of ("term" vs. "full term"). All I know is, I was going to be breathing another sigh of relief at 37 weeks (just like I did at 13 weeks, just like I did at 24 weeks -- the other milestones). From what I've heard/read, the baby has a really good chance of breathing on his/her own if delivered any time at or after 37 weeks.

I know you weren't. I just wanted to see if I was way off base or my OB is nuts.

My OB hasn't even MENTIONED internals, and I'm kind of glad about that. I'm not ready to be poked and prodded just yet. I was just assuming we'd probably start them at the weekly appointments. I guess I'mma add that to next week's list of questions, so that's not a pleasant surprise at an upcoming appointment...

She hadn't either. I asked about them yesterday because it seemed most people's OB started them at 36 weeks and she said she won't do them until at least 39 unless I show signs of labor before then.

duffmaker · May 2013

Yup, term 37wks, full term 40wks

Personally, I feel like 38wks is true term but I'm no doctor... that's just my comfort point to consider myself at "term".

kristinrae914 · May 2013

WebMD obviously isn't the end all/be all of this info, but I thought this was interesting.

https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20110523/study-gives-new-view-of-full-term-pregnancy

ETA: shoot. Just realized the OP put this link in her post. Ignore me. LoL

flerlgirl · May 2013

At my hospital they consider 37 weeks full term. Which, by the way, makes Josh full term today!!

AbbeyGirlBride · May 2013

This whole discussion just reminds me of Alex Trebec talking about term life insurance.

Another thing I have no clue about.

ilovemarfa · May 2013

My ob and midwife always told me that once you hit 37 weeks if you go into labor they won't try to stop it as the baby is technically considered term between 37 an 42 weeks. Many of my friends have delivered at around 37 weeks and their babies never had any breathing issues but I have read articles that say that at 37 weeks there is a chance that the baby's lungs aren't fully mature.

Eleventy11 · May 2013

I think your reasoning is correct. They don't stop labor after 37 weeks, but you're still not full term. I do side eye people that would happily induce at 37 weeks...that does not insure that everything is 100 percent okay.

jane.says · May 2013

The way I have always understood it is that you are "full term" at 37w. Meaning your baby is fine to come any time from 37w on and would not be considered premature. I wouldn't want to induce labor at 37w but if it happened naturally I wouldn't panic.

Sometimes I feel like there is a strong sentiment on these boards that anyone who wants to have their baby before 42 weeks is an induction-crazed intervention-loving misinformed fool.

sheacox · May 2013

I just had an internal at a little over 36 weeks. Only because my DR was monitoring me because I am having regular contractions every 3-5 minutes (joy) and she didn't want to send me home if i was dilating as well.... I can tell you, an internal does not feel good, and i have been bleeding since. So i wouldn't be all excited to go run and get one. IF i wasn't having contractions my DR wouldn't have checked until week 39 and that would have only been if i wanted...

LucyHoneychrrch · May 2013

I really just couldn't possibly care less. Term or full-term, whatever; 37 weeks generally means the baby doesn't have to be in an incubator and can breathe on its own without assistance.

Also, I get that people don't like internals, but I don't get the big ol' deal about them, about refusing them, etc. I mean, they're not pleasant or anything, but I don't get the brouhaha about being ALL AGAINST THEM and etc.

txaggster · May 2013

AbbeyGirlBride:
This whole discussion just reminds me of Alex Trebec talking about term life insurance.
Another thing I have no clue about.

HAHA!!!

tantdylf · May 2013

~~Chels&Ry~~:
That's how I understand it too, 37 weeks is term, 40 is full term.

ditto

MdWestMom · May 2013

LucyHoneychrrch:
I really just couldn't possibly care less. Term or full-term, whatever; 37 weeks generally means the baby doesn't have to be in an incubator and can breathe on its own without assistance.

Also, I get that people don't like internals, but I don't get the big ol' deal about them, about refusing them, etc. I mean, they're not pleasant or anything, but I don't get the brouhaha about being ALL AGAINST THEM and etc.

37 weeks does not mean baby is "in the clear"... Tons of literature that shows a distinct difference in brain AND lung development between a 37 week old & a 40 week old. Plenty of 37 week olds in NICU. The issue with internals is that it can accidentally start labor. Another issue, applies mainly to Group B Strep Moms, is that it spreads bacteria towards the cervix & can increase baby's chance of being infected with GBS - which can be life threatening. It's important to be educated on the reasons why you might want to decline an internal check before 39 weeks.

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