36 weeks is not full term.

[cari5]

Just curious why some women on this forum feel 36 weeks full term? Did you get the info from your Dr? My Dr informed me on Fri that full term is 39 weeks, and being that I'm on maternity leave and have extra time on my hands, I googled it and did not find one site that said 36 weeks was considered full term. I'm not trying to be rude, but I'm really curious to know if it's different in other states/countries.

[Kjens12]

My doctor won't stop labor after 36 week, but won't induce unless medically necessary until 41 weeks. The doctor in the same office is notorious for inducing women early because they're simply uncomfortable. I person would refuse induction until at least a week late, but to each their own. I read somewhere the brain develops a lot until around 39 weeks.

[cari5]

Bump

[mummainoz]

I agree with HappyMommy071114. That is my understanding too and it always makes me sad to see women at 36wks worrying about how dialated they are. I appreciate its different in different parts of the world but a lot can happen in that last 4-6wks, especially in terms of development for the baby. Best to let baby come when baby is ready. Here 40wks is considered a normal pregnancy, they will only induce you if its medically necessary or your 10days over, and scheduled csections happen at 39wks. You only have one earlier if you or baby are having complications.

[HappyMommy071114]

I am an L&d nurse, and the gestational period of a pregnancy is 40 weeks. A baby can come two weeks before or two weeks after based on the estimation of menstrual and ultrasound. If a baby is born at 37 weeks then its considered viably full term. Most doctors will not induce or preform cesarean sections before this unless a reason to be promoted too. The longer the baby is in utero,  during the 40 weeks gestational period, the better. I lnow that those last couple of weeks can be tuff, but ladies please be patient. We have all waited this long for our little bundles so a couple more weeks wont hurt. Believe me, get all the rest in now, causewhen.baby comes, its non stop from then on. Please be adviced natural induction, such as walking, sex or nipple stimulation is safe, but do not by into these old wives takes of drinking something ridiculous or harmful. It wont work and its not safe!

[camerinj]

no problem! glad I could help...I tell you I feel so fortunate that I have easy access to information in my pregnancies because everyone has questions...even those of us  that are supposed to have the answers!

[cari5]

@camerinj thanks so much for your input. I trust my Dr and trust his opinion, so I feel confident in what he tells me. As I'm sure other women feel the same about their Dr.'s. I do appreciate the information you have provided. :)

[camerinj]

I teach prenatal development, so I can give you some backstory here...
between my first two.children (11/11 & 1/13) the march of dimes released a study saying that because of continuing lung development, full term should be considered 39 weeks instead of 37 weeks as it had been previously. because that's not exactly a medical governing organization, not all doctors made the switch.
this is not to say that horrible things will happen to your baby before these times, but that some research and studies have been performed and find that the closer to full term a baby is born, the less chance there is for specific problems.

[heavenlyhash]

I am on my 3rd pregnancy I have a 12 year old and an 8 year old for all 3 of my babies my Dr has said full term is 36 weeks.... I had oth my babies at 38 weeks but if I went into labour at 36 weeks they won't stop it... And to the woman that their drs say 39 weeks oh god its really when your baby wants to come... But safe is 36 weeks

[BearHunterMomma27]

My last son was born at 36 weeks but he was considered a preemie bc he was barely 3 lbs. I'm a rn and we Learned that it goes by when their born and their weight as well.

[divine89]

I've have 5 babies in tx always told full term was 37 weeks never heard of it being 39 weeks guess its just different in each state or to each Dr

[expecting6thbaby]

K I just looked it up they now say 36 weeks is early term. But that is still a term baby meaning not premie... Google baby 36 weeks it has stuff about how to expect baby any time and it says 36 weeks is early term. They just trying to make it complicated.. you either have a premie or full term baby.

[cari5]

I thought it might go by state. I guess every state has their own idea of what is full term. Thanks for clearing that up. Also thanks for understanding that
I wasn't trying to be rude, but just curious as to why. Best wishes to you all on your delivery. :)

[expecting6thbaby]

It probably depends on Dr or midwife. I was induced at 37 weeks with my second because I was ready for it to be over and she was going on vacation.  But my Dr in same state said that I had to wait till 39 weeks to get induced by law for my next 2... so that make me think it is up to state your in and who is delivering.  At the birthing center I am delivering at they do not induce so I went over by a week or more with my last.  My Dr knew that I wanted to have baby at birthing center so he refused to induce unless me or baby was at risk no matter how long I went over. Like in labor if you are sure you want to do it natural before labor gets bad some drs and hospitals will refuse pain meds once labor gets bad... I am getting off topic now... but anyway your baby is fully developed at 36 they are just gaining weight after that. If your pregnancy is not normal then your baby may need that extra time to finish developing.  At my birthing center you have got to be full term because they have no emergency equipment for premies and they will deliver baby's at 36.

[3rdtime_mum]

At 36 weeks most doctors believe the baby lungs are fully developed. So most doctors consider you full term at 36 weeks. I know my doctor said I'm full term 36.3 :-) and my baby boy is 7pds already

[cari5]

At 34 weeks seems too early. Babies immune system is still developing at 34 weeks. I guess 37 seems more common then 36 weeks. @expecting6thbaby, if your Dr told you that then I guess I'd go with what your Dr says. Just was curious why some people thought 36 weeks, but I guess some people are just told that.

[ceara07]

Mine says 37. At 37 weeks they won't try to stop the labor. However mine wont induce unless medically necessary or until 41 weeks

[lexus3232]

My doctor anytime after 36 weeks will deliver u..

[youngnewmommy]

If you go into labor like myself 34&4  drs will not stop it. They just let it happen. They won't  stop it but they won't help it either.

[expecting6thbaby]

I have had babies in Florida and Tennessee and my drs and midwifes have always said 36 weeks.  My 36 baby was well over 8 lbs... they said she was full term.

[PonsGirl]

Full term in 37 weeks. But if you go into labor on your own at 36 the doctor will just let it happen.

[youngnewmommy]

So it used to be 34weeks the it went to 36 weeks now it's 37weeks. New studies come out and they go by that. But really you can deliver any time after 34 weeks.

[cari5]

Yes, I've read 37 weeks being full term, just curious as to why 36 weeks. I know it's just one week, but every week counts.

[Katieimmel]

My doctor said 37 weeks. That 39 is ideal, but after 37 your baby is fully developed.

[Lizzie_Campos]

I think its different everywhere. My Dr considers full term 37 weeks, this app does too, and the hospitals I've been to the last couple of times also.