Full Term Pregnancy
Full term pregnancy is the stage when the baby is ready to go out of the world and survive outside the mom’s tummy. This is within the 37th week to 41st week of the mom’s pregnancy.
Early delivery can possibly happen. Though premature babies can survive, they are more at risk of having health and development problems. Once full term pregnancy stage started, the baby can come out anytime soon. Though the exact date of delivery can’t be determined, an estimation of the pregnancy’s due date can help parents know when to prepare the things needed for the delivery. If the mom is working, she can take a planned maternity level based on her due date. On the 37th week of pregnancy, the mom will start to feel pre-labor symptoms. This is normal because the body is preparing for the delivery of the baby. The mom may notice that the baby moves less than before. This is just normal as well. However, if the movement is unusually less, the mom needs to let her doctor know immediately. Contraction can also be felt more often and stronger. If the pain goes away quickly, then it can only be caused by pre-labor symptoms. If contractions stay longer and become more painful, this can be the actual labor period. Mucus will be ejected and blood stain may be visible. If more blood starts to appear, then this is a sign of actual labor. Once the water breaks, the baby will usually follow in a few moments. According to researches made, premature babies are more likely to have delays in learning, speech and movement than babies born on full term pregnancy. Premature babies are also at risk of having health problems because their body was not yet fully developed when they were born.
Regular pre-natal check-up is very important to ensure healthy full term pregnancy and prevent premature delivery of the baby.