In fact, this topic is very relevant in many women's forums, and future, as well as real mothers are passionately discussing what period is considered normal for a child to be born. Today we want to tell you the opinion of official medicine. Let us make a reservation right away: despite clear data from which week a child is considered full-term, there are exceptions to this rule. Moreover, the appearance of the baby a little earlier and later than the average period almost never threatens his life and health. However, the onset of labor activity much earlier than the due date, the doctors will try to stop and pull the time as much as possible.
Delivery on time
The ideal time for the baby to appear is the fortieth week. It was at this time that he managed not only to completely complete the formation of internal organs, but also to build up a sufficient amount of subcutaneous fat for effective thermoregulation. Therefore, speaking of what week the child is considered full-term, it seems logical to name exactly 40 weeks. The child is completely ready for the birth and life outside of his mother’s tummy, and fears for his life and health should not arise. However, not all children are born precisely at this time. According to statistics, only 9% of women give birth at exactly 40 weeks.
Norm Options
It is because of the high variability that obstetrician-gynecologists and pediatricians have somewhat revised the question of which week the child is considered full-term. What can be considered normal or at least acceptable for delivery? This is a fairly large period of time from the 37th to the 42nd week inclusive. However, the terminology is slightly different. Delivery before the 37th week (the 36th is no exception) is considered premature, and babies who were born at this time are premature. From the 37th to the 40th week, the optimal period for the birth of babies comes, therefore, during this period, childbirth is called physiological. Finally, starting from the 41st week, pregnancy is considered to be postponed, and by the end of the 42nd week, doctors will send the woman to the hospital to stimulate labor. To the main question, from what week the child is considered full-term, we have already answered, but there are still a number of points that need to be discussed.
Woman at the 37th week
You can be congratulated, the long journey of experience is almost behind. This is especially true for those whose pregnancy proceeded with the threat of miscarriage. Now you know exactly after what week the child is considered full-term. Starting from the 37th week, the whole family should be prepared for the fact that the child can be born at any time. The remaining time will not play a role in the development of the baby, but he will be able to grow a little and accumulate subcutaneous fat, which is important for maintaining heat in a small body. At this time, some pregnant women are very balanced, while others, on the contrary, feel increasing concern about the upcoming birth. The cervix begins to expand slowly, as soon as it is ready, the mucous plug, which still protects the uterus from infections, will move off. This usually occurs several hours or days before delivery.
Symptoms of the approaching birth
Even knowing from what moment the baby is considered full-term, a woman is sometimes a little lost when she feels the harbingers of childbirth. Moreover, the better you imagine what exactly they should be and how to behave when they appear, the less time will remain for panic.
However, we will make another digression, it concerns the collection of things in the hospital. Knowing how long a pregnancy is considered full-term, you need to start preparing in advance. By the 37th week of pregnancy, you need to buy a discharge kit, diapers and vests in the hospital, collect a bag of personal items and put a separate set for discharge for yourself. Believe me, this is much better than with progressive contractions trying to find a dressing gown or other toilet objects in the closet.
During this period, most women begin to experience insomnia. The big belly and the active life of the baby do not contribute to the sound sleep of the mother. However, it’s not long to wait for its appearance, so try to enjoy these last moments. Frequent urination may bother, which is also easily explained by the fact that the large fetus presses on the internal organs. It is during this period that leg cramps often first appear. Be sure to watch for vaginal discharge. Usually in the last week they become a little more plentiful and brighter. And if you notice a significant amount of transparent mucus on your underwear, then the birth is already very close.
Indirect signs
I must say that they are not found in all women, in addition, someone notes only some of them. However, in any case, you have no reason to worry. You already know which baby is considered full-term, the 37th week has passed, which means that whenever the birth begins, he will be born ready for this. Remember this every day, so that sudden labor activity was not a cause for panic, but, on the contrary, a long-awaited event.
Diarrhea can warn of the approach of childbirth. This is a normal physiological reaction that allows you to clean the intestines of the woman in childbirth. If this does not happen, it is recommended that you clean it yourself with an enema. She is no longer required to do it in the hospital, but before you call an ambulance, you can do it yourself. Very often, women just before a birth give a flash of activity. Suddenly I want to wash the windows and grind the curtains, wash the whole house up to the entrance. These instincts tell us that we need to prepare a nest in which the baby will soon appear.
Contractions and the onset of labor
You have already experienced them before, however, if earlier it was training fights that do not last long and pass, if you get up and move a little, then now the situation is changing. Often, the mucous plug first leaves, then the water leaves, and finally the contractions begin. It happens the other way around: the first symptoms are contractions. In this case, the main thing is not to panic. Check the bag that you take to the hospital again. Put your passport and exchange card next to it. Remember breathing exercises that will help relieve pain during labor and delivery. Do not immediately go to bed, walk around the house, you can even go outside, breathe air. This fight will only intensify, and you will be sure that it is time to call an ambulance.
Memo for the future mother
The maternity room is not a place for panic, so even during pregnancy, mentally scroll through the whole picture of the events several times in your head. Once again, ask your doctor the question from what week the pregnancy is considered full-term. He will answer you that the lower limit of the norm is 37-38 weeks. So, from about this time, you need to mentally prepare yourself. Close your eyes and imagine that contractions begin, at the same time remember breathing exercises during contractions, how you calmly gather, go to the hospital and give birth to a healthy baby. This attitude will greatly help you overcome the excitement.