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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants your expectant patients to be
aware of the new full-term pregnancy definition and the importance of waiting
for delivery until 39 weeks when possible. The following new terms reflect the
latest research regarding gestational age:
- Early term: 37 weeks through 38 weeks and six days
- Full term: 39 weeks through 40 weeks and six days
- Late term: 41 weeks through 41 weeks and six days
- Post term: 42 weeks and beyond
The NIH encourages providers to explain the critical development of the brain,
lungs, and liver that babies experience between 37 and 39 weeks and to share
the risks of elective delivery before full term. Expectant parents should also
know that risks to both mother and baby are higher during this time period. As
the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and
Independence have already encouraged, please do NOT schedule elective
deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation. Learn more by reviewing the ACOG and
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Committee Opinion #579
"Definition of Term Pregnancy".
Free educational materials, developed by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and National Child and
Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP) are available to help you share this
important message with your expectant patients. To order these materials, go to
www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/terms/ordermaterials.
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