what is the correct amount of time to be pregnant?

Question

basically what week should i look forward to week 37 week 40 or week 42

Answer 1

There is NOT -- despite what some doctors may claim -- a "correct" amount of time. But...

"You might be surprised how the idea of a 40-week pregnancy came into being. In the early 1800s a German obstetrician simply declared that pregnancy lasts ten moon months counting from the start of the menstrual cycle prior to the pregnancy. (2) It took nearly 200 years for researchers to investigate whether this was, in fact, true. It turns out that it wasn't. When researchers in the late 1980s followed a group of healthy, white women with regular menstrual cycles, they discovered that pregnancy in first-time mothers averaged eight days longer than this, or forty-one weeks plus one day (2). The average was three days longer than forty weeks in women with prior births. The researchers also refer to other studies suggesting that other races may have average pregnancy lengths that are shorter than white women."

http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/0,,jb56,00.html

Answer 2

Most doctors will not stop labor after 38 weeks... assuming everything looks good. They really want you to go as long as possible but after 42 weeks, the umbilical cord starts to deteriorate and it's time to get the baby out. So basically anywhere from 38-42. But don't get your hopes up too much at 38 weeks, I did and was very disappointed when I saw my due date pregnant and then ended up 9 days overdue with 2 of my 4 kids!

Some people will tell you 36 weeks, but many babies born at 36 weeks have a lot of catching up to do and cannot go home right away. I have a friend who had her son at 37 weeks and he had to be in an incubator and rushed to Children's Hospital where he stayed for about 3 weeks.

I also know a woman who's dr was planning induction and did amnios at 35,36,37,38, and 39 wks. The lungs were not developed at 35-38. At 39, they finally said they were "in transition". They told her they'd induce in 3 more days.

Answer 3

A textbook pregnancy is 40 weeks. You are considered "full term" from 38 weeks up to 42 weeks. Anytime after 42 weeks is post term and anytime before 38 weeks is preterm. That being said, your due date is usually based on the first day of your last period. It assumes that you ovulated on the 14th day of your cycle. A lot of women don't ovulate on that exact day, and some ovulate much later. So in other words, if your periods are usually every 6 weeks, you probably ovulated around the 30th day after your period started, and this puts you two weeks behind your calculated "due date." When you have your ultrasound, they can probably get a better idea of how far along you really are.

I have known people to go into labor naturally at 35 weeks (with a first baby!) and others to carry to 40+ until they are induced into labor. I had my bags packed at 34 weeks just in case! If your baby is born 34 weeks or earlier, he/she is usually considered a premie.

Answer 4

It doesn't matter. When your baby wants out, out it will come whether it's week 37 for 42. Good luck and have a healthy baby I had 4 children and not one of them was on time. Every one came 1-4 wks. earlier than was expected.

Answer 5

40 weeks is what doctors and you should shoort for. However, anytime after 36 weeks you are considered full term. Your doctor should not let you go beyond 42 weeks. I have 2 children, one came 2 days early and the other came 2 weeks early. Both were happy and healthy.

Answer 6

38-42 weeks

Answer 7

It depends when you concieved. Sometimes when you go to 42 weeks you weren't really that far along. Other times you can go to 40 weeks and be just fine!

Answer 8

between week 38, 39 and 40.

Answer 9

Speak to your doctor. It is usually 40 weeks. Could be longer or shorter.

Answer 10

40 weeks is the most reliable, as after that the ubilical cord and plasenta begin to break down after that