You may not have a choice about when to have your baby. If there are problems with your pregnancy or your baby's health, you may need to have your baby early. But if you have a choice and you're planning to schedule your baby's birth, wait until at least 39 weeks.
Among low‐risk pregnancies, birth at 37 or 38 completed weeks' gestation is associated with increased risks of stillbirth, infant mortality and neurological morbidity, while birth at 39–40 completed weeks is associated with reduced risks compared with births at later gestation.
Since some women are unsure of the date of their last menstruation (perhaps due to period irregularities), a baby is considered full term if its birth falls between 37 to 42 weeks of the estimated last menstruation date.
By 36 weeks, your baby's lungs are fully formed and ready to take their first breath after the birth. The digestive system is fully developed and your baby will be able to feed if they're born now.
Premature birth is when your baby is born early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby needs about 40 weeks in the womb to grow and develop before birth. Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are called premature. Premature babies can have serious health problems at birth and later in life.
Babies born before 34 weeks go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who weigh more than 1,800 grams (about 4 pounds) may be able to go to the Progressive Care Nursery (PCN). The PCN is on the same unit where you will be staying.
Most infants born at 36 and 37 weeks' gestation are mature enough to go home from the hospital. But babies born earlier may need care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they can be: Watched closely for infections and changes in breathing and heart rate.
Medical experts now know that babies still have a lot of developing to do at 37 and 38 weeks, so pregnancy is now considered “full term” at 39 weeks. Newer research shows that a baby born at 39 or 40 weeks is less likely to face developmental problems than if he were born earlier.
Most babies (92%) in Australia are born at term (37–41 weeks), with 32% at early term (37 or 38 weeks) and 60% at full term (39–41 weeks).
At 37 weeks pregnant, your unborn baby is as long as a stalk of Swiss chard. They weigh approximately 6.30 pounds and measure 19.13 inches.
Babies born before 34 weeks go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who weigh more than 1,800 grams (about 4 pounds) may be able to go to the Progressive Care Nursery (PCN). The PCN is on the same unit where you will be staying.
While delivering at age 35 and older is officially considered “advanced maternal age,” Dr. Kalish notes that in reality, there's no “magic number” for being at-risk for complications. “A healthy 38-year-old could have an easier pregnancy than a 20-year-old who has multiple medical issues,” Dr. Kalish says.
The good news is that as a woman in your 30s or 40s, it's likely that you already have a healthier lifestyle than you did in your 20s. Keep in mind that despite the increased risks, plenty of women conceive and go on to have healthy babies well into their late 30s and early 40s.
While it may take a bit longer to get pregnant if you're 35 or older, the average time it takes to conceive is still high. Women under 25 have a 25 percent chance of conceiving per cycle, compared to 15 percent among women between the ages of 35 to 39 (the rate drops to 5 percent by the age of 40).
Older women are more likely to miscarry or have a stillbirth. They have a greater chance of developing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and of delivering a baby who is very small.
Of course, as women age, the odds of conceiving also gradually lower. The ideal childbearing age is often considered to be in the late 20s and early 30s. Pregnancies later in life could come with some health risks. However, age is just one factor when it comes to giving birth to a child.
The average baby weighs around 3-4kg by now. Your baby is ready to be born, and you'll be meeting them some time in the next few weeks.
At 37 weeks pregnant, your unborn baby is as long as a stalk of Swiss chard. They weigh approximately 6.30 pounds and measure 19.13 inches.
Premature birth is when your baby is born early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby needs about 40 weeks in the womb to grow and develop before birth. Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are called premature. Premature babies can have serious health problems at birth and later in life.
25% gave birth by 37 weeks and 3 days after ovulation. 50% gave birth by 38 weeks and 2 days after ovulation. 75% gave birth by 39 weeks and 2 days after ovulation. 90% gave birth by 40 weeks and zero days after ovulation.
Why Are Some Babies Born Early? Babies born before 37 weeks are premature. A premature birth is more likely to happen when a mother has a health problem — like diabetes — or does harmful things during her pregnancy, like smoke or drink. If she lives with a lot of stress, that also can make her baby be born too early.