Early Elective Deliveries
There are significant differences in health outcomes between babies born early term between 37 weeks and 38 weeks, and those born full term at 39 weeks to 41 weeks.
Background Info
During weeks 37 and 38 of a baby’s development:
- The baby may still be developing the ability to swallow and suck. Babies born at this time are at higher risk of having feeding problems.
- The lungs may not be fully developed. The odds of an early term baby needing respiratory support are almost double that of a full-term baby.
- The odds of the baby being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit are more than 60 percent higher in early term babies than full-term babies.
Sources
| Source | URL |
|---|---|
| New York State Department of Health | https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/vital_statistics/ |
| Choosing Wisely | An Initiative of the ABIM Foundation | http://www.choosingwisely.org/patient-resources/scheduling-early-delivery-of-your-baby/ |
| The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists | http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Elective-Delivery-Before-39-Weeks |
| JAMA Pediatrics- Adverse Neonatal Outcomes With Early-Term Birth | http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2581 |
| March of Dimes-Less than 39 weeks toolkit | http://www.marchofdimes.org/professionals/less-than-39-weeks-toolkit.aspx |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data_access/vitalstats/VitalStats_Births.htm |