Doctors’ groups and the March of Dimes have stressed over the years that elective inductions and Cesareans should not take place any time prior to the 39th week of pregnancy. The reasoning behind this? Through several studies, research has found that babies born in their 37th week are more likely to suffer from breathing problems than those born just two weeks later.
“Weeks matter,” Dr. Jeffery Ecker of Massachusetts General Hospital, who chaired the American College of Obstetricians (ACOG) that came up with the more precise definition of term pregnancy, told Associated Press. “Let’s not call it all the same.”
Per ACOGs new definitions, released on Tuesday:
- Babies born between 37 weeks and 38 weeks, 6 days are premature.
- Babies born between 39 weeks and 40 weeks, 6 days are full term.
- Babies born during the 41st week are late term.
- Babies born after the 42nd week are post term.
According to Ecker, doctors will now be able to better communicate the message and definition of a full term pregnancy to their patients. Hopefully, this will also result in better health of newborns, since doctors will unlikely be performing any form of induction or C-section prior to the 39th of pregnancy, unless it is medically necessary.
Associated Press reported that the March of Dimes welcomes the change, saying it “eliminates confusion about how long an uncomplicated, healthy pregnancy should last.”
Related Articles:
- Study: Birth Creates a ‘Map’ for Baby’s Survival Outside the Womb
- Smallest Baby To Be Born in Ontario Released Home!
- Tennessee Hospital Reports Massive Spike in Drug-Addicted Newborns
