Full term and due date

[Ladylove]

So I just realised with slight panic that I'll be full term on Jan 19 - I'm due Feb 10. I actually don't know what 'full term' means but also I'm now fretting that baby will come early when the house is no way near ready. Is it common to give birth around full term or do most occur around the due date? I guess that's why it's called the due date?

[BlackRose]

Full term means that if the baby arrived after 37 weeks it wouldn't have any major medical issues and would be fine out of the womb. Your due date is the most likely time you'll give birth

[Jennifer13]

A baby born anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks from your LMP is classified as being full term (which really only means the baby isn't premature).

But that assumes a 'normal' ovulation cycle of 28 days and correct guesstimate of your EDD.
Try not to stress, I'm not sure of the stats, but there's so much variation when babies actually arrive!

[HotI]

Here are some stats from the UK on how often bubs are born at what week When am I going to pop? (numbercrunch) « A disgruntled motherhood blog

Gestation weeks ------- %

<=31 ----------------- 2.1%

32-36 ----------------- 4.7%

37 --------------------- 4.4%

38 --------------------- 10.8%

39 --------------------- 22.6%

40 --------------------- 34.1%

41 --------------------- 18.8%

42 & over -------------- 2.4%

n/a --------------------- 16.7%

[phebee]

Well since I'm due 2 days earlier... I'd better pack that bag! :P


Sent from my iPod touch - sorry for any mistakes!

[Jellyfish]

My advice would be to physically prepare for ~37w (car seat, bags packed etc) but mentally prepare to be pregnant right up till 42w.

[~ Mylitta ~]

Thanks for that table HotI. It was very interesting. I never knew I was in such a small percentage of 4.4% having given birth to both my bub's in the 37th week

I second Jellyfish's great advice!!!

[Ladylove]

Thanks everyone-
Hotl that table is fascinating.
Jellyfish one thing that is organized is my hospital bag. However the baby room and in fact the entire house looks crazy messy because I've turned it upside down clearing and cleaning everything out. We are waiting on the cradle and cot to be delivered from interstate but I have most other things ready except the car seat.

[Jennifer13]

I only put my baby's bed up last night next to mine. And I'm 40 wks today! No need to stress about having everything perfectly ready for the Babies aren't very particular about what things look like when they get here.

[Jellyfish]

I give this advice but I'm 39w with no bags packed and my first DD arrived at 38w oops! We have put in the car seat though

Babies can survive without a bed and change table and all that stuff. Just need some love, milk and nappies

[Ladylove]

So true! And it's so hot at the moment I shouldn't even worry about not enough clothes.