So 39 weeks is the full term cut off now?

[perfexion]

Im sure everyone has seen AWHONN's campaign to reduce elective inductions and ceseareans before 39 weeks but does that mean 39 weeks is the full term cut off now? Is it no longer 37 weeks? I ask as both an OB nurse and a woman who is currently 37 weeks pregnant. I was so relieved that I finally made it to term but my doctor told me to be patient because my baby needs to stay in for two more weeks to reach maximum maturity. Is this the new standard or does my doctor just want to torture his patients? Am I supposed to be telling my antepartum patients that 39 weeks is the new full term too (namely the ones who bombard me with questions about castor oil and nipple stimulation as soon as they hit 37 weeks)?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

35-37 weekers can be real stinkers! Poor temp regulation, some RDS/distress at times, poor eaters, just to name a few things. Let that baby cook until 40 weeks if you can! I can't say how much I agree with all the statements made!

[greenerpastures]

I haven't even look at anything OB since school, but the one thing I always remembered was "your due date is always +/- two weeks from the "date" they give you." Therefore, if someone is induced at 37 weeks, they may actually only be 35 which would be considered preterm. 39 weeks makes more sense, because even if the "due date" was off, you the person should theoretically be 37-41 weeks, i.e. "term".

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

Just to play devil's advocate here, as someone whose patients regularly include anything from 24-weekers to 42+-week shoulder dystocia/HIE babies, I'd dispute the assertion that mom's body and baby always "know when it's time." That said, if you're cooking along and healthy at 37 weeks, no reason to induce or section at that point (and lots of reasons not to, as previously enumerated).

[KellyRN2013]

39 weeks is now considered full term. I worked OBGYN for 5 years and back in 2011 our hospitals would not let any physician schedule an elective induction or C-Section until 39 weeks. Apparently there were studies done and majority of the infants lungs still were not all the way mature at 37 and 38 weeks.

[123kids4me]

I'm a postpartum nurse and agree with everything Elvish (and others) have stated. Unless inducing earlier is medically necessary, 39 weeks is definitely a better goal to aim for. My babies were all born between 41-42 weeks, so believe me, I understand how long those final weeks/days can be, both emotionally and physically, but if you look long term, it's much better to give baby that extra week or two.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Another annoying NICU nurse here. For me it's not just lung development but also brain development.

There are many images out there showing brain development at 35/36 weeks versus 40. The best place to develop that brain, given a healthy pregnancy, is in-utero. Our OTs also showed us images of former 24 weekers at term and their brain development is nowhere close to the same. In-utero is the way to go.

One more thing, once more from the perspective of a NICU nurse, your OB is not intent on torturing you but rather on avoiding the discomfort or "torture" for your child. I enjoy my work and strive to be as gentle and developmental as possible, but it's not a fun place for babies.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I was born at 30 weeks. Healthy and graduated nursing school with honors. I did ok ...

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

[klone, MSN, RN]

There are many images out there showing brain development at 35/36 weeks versus 40. The best place to develop that brain, given a healthy pregnancy, is in-utero. Our OTs also showed us images of former 24 weekers at term and their brain development is nowhere close to the same. In-utero is the way to go. .

I remember one of our neonates saying once that 1 day in utero is like 2 days outside, when it comes to development and maturing.

[Red Kryptonite]

I remember one of our neonates saying once that 1 day in utero is like 2 days outside, when it comes to development and maturing.

Wow, that's one advanced baby!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

as someone whose patients regularly include anything from 24-weekers to 42+-week shoulder dystocia/HIE babies, I'd dispute the assertion that mom's body and baby always "know when it's time."

I don't think anyone here said that's always the case. Of course there are exceptions that we all wish didn't happen. But the majority of the time when women go into spontaneous labor, it's at 39+ weeks and the labor and delivery are uneventful. Overwhelmingly, those babies end up not in NICU.

[klone, MSN, RN]

It's been my observation, since working for a large midwifery practice, that most babies don't come until 40-41+ weeks.

[mommy2boysaz]

Ideally, elective inductions at ANY gestation should be avoided. Evidence shows induction is not beneficial (if no medical reason) until after 41 weeks. I realize we are all patting ourselves on the backs for avoiding elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks, but in my opinion, we shouldn't be tooting our horns quite yet...