full term question

[Illiana]

Hi ladies, I'm curious.. What do you ladies do if you go into labor before you are full term? Automatically go to hospital or what? My dd was "late" so i never really thought about going early, but just realized I should be prepared in case. I do have an OB for prenatal care. Also, what is considered full term? I keep hearing both 36 and 37 weeks depending on the person/area i guess.

[peetred]

Honestly, I am going to be 35 weeks on Sunday, and if I went into labor.. I'd stay home. Here are MY reasons:

1.) I've never had "preterm" labor, so I would trust that my baby was ready to come into the world or my due date was way off.

2.) Most babies who are truly 35-36 weeks do fine and don't need any special care. We'd be especially watchful of jaundice (good thing about a summer baby, we could go out and get sunlight!), etc.

3.) I live blocks away from the hospital. I would make sure my husband had his phone and have him call RIGHT AWAY if the baby had any troubles. We'd just be a little extra cautious.

I UP and UC, so I have no maternity care provider. But, we do have a family physician. I'd request someone from my physicians office if baby needed to transfer. Hope that helps!

[Illiana]

Thanks. I hadn't really thought about going early before and with everyone telling me how big I am and how i'm "definately" going to go early then it got me thinking what if I do. I know people just have big mouths and i'm now only measuring 2 weeks ahead instead of 4 that i'm not really worried about going really early much less before my EDD.

[seattlemamma]

Originally Posted by Illiana

Thanks. I hadn't really thought about going early before and with everyone telling me how big I am and how i'm "definately" going to go early then it got me thinking what if I do. I know people just have big mouths and i'm now only measuring 2 weeks ahead instead of 4 that i'm not really worried about going really early much less before my EDD.

I've been getting those comments since my second trimester. Wish people would just keep those kind of comments to themselves! We look in the mirror everyday its not like we don't know how big we are. Thanks for the question. I was wondering the same thing myself.