When is baby officially "full term?"

Question

I'm 36 weeks and my doctor hasn't told me anything. I've heard that 37 weeks is when you're officially full term, I've also 36 is when you're officially full term, and I've also heard that it's 40 weeks. Which one is right?? I wanna know because, PLEASE NO BASHING, but I want to start doing things to naturally induce labor because my pregnancy has been so tough and I just need her out. I also want her to be safe and healthy and everything. That's why I wanna make sure when she's actually full term before I do anything. Again, please no bashing. I love my daughter and I love pregnancy, but it's been SO rough for me!

Answer

I'm a labor and delivery nurse, and this is the typical definition we use--per our docs. 37 is considered early term, full term is 40 weeks, anything after is post term. Most docs won't induce electively before 39 weeks unless there is a medical reason. Babies are not 100% ready until then, and dates can be off by a week either way, so it's ideal to wait until your body and your baby are ready for you to be in labor. Elective inductions lead to a very much increased risk of c-section. Your body knows what it's supposed to do, and when it's ready to go into labor, it will. Otherwise you may set yourself up for unnecessary complications and issues with the baby. While not always or even often in my experience, babies before full term are more likely to need extra help breathing as their lungs may not be fully prepared. Just my professional opinion :) hang in there!

Answer

I think it depends where you're from. I believe 37weeks is "term" and 40weeks is "full term". Anything before 37weeks is premature.

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I see an obstetrician regulary as I'm high risk from a previous uterine rupture string labour. If I labour and have contractions early then It could be life threatening for me. Saying that they are still leaning the c section till 38 weeks + 5 days too give the baby the best start and to avoid any nicu. 37 is term, 40 is full term. There is a reason for them last 3 weeks, babys lungs are getting stronger and fat is building up. Pregnancy can be tough but I'd wait till your past 39 before you try anything. Saying that your body will only go into labour when it's ready.

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I was on restrictions when I was pregnant with my son and at 36 weeks I told my dr I was done with pregnancy, done with no sex and yada yada. He told me since I was full term I could come off restrictions and if I wanted the baby to come I could have lots of sex to help the cervix lol so that's what I did. Had him at 39 weeks.

Answer

I probably accidentally started my labor with sex at 38 weeks. I didn't think it would start but the next morning I woke up with horrible back pain and bam the next day she was here. I'm glad she was fully developed and no worries about her lungs. :)

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I am going to be 36 weeks on Friday and due to early labor starting at 30 weeks (they got it stopped, thank goodness!) they gave me 2 shots of steroids to help baby's lungs develop. They told me if I can just make it to 36 weeks with this one, they won't stop my labor again if I start. My first was born at 39+3.

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My doctor said after 38 weeks they are considered full term.

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They say the lungs fully develop around  37 weeks but most docs consider 38 weeks full term

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37 weeks - TERM. 40 weeks - FULL TERM. 37 seeks is when they wouldn't stop u if u went into labour, any thing before 37 is premature.

Answer

This is my second pregnancy and both times I was told 37 weeks but they prefer u go to 40 if u can make it there just gives ur baby a little longer to mature before birth

When is baby officially "full term?"

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