Preterm Childbirth Redefined.

[Arctickat]

On Tuesday, the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology released new definitions for Early term, Full Term, Late term, and Post term pregnancies.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/nearing-your-due-date-full-term-pregnancy-gets-new-narrower-definition-1.1509645

[scubanurse]

Interesting article, thanks for sharing!

[iStater]

This article pertains to term birth rather than preterm. Premature or preterm is considered before 37 weeks.

For preterm we also have labels such as late preterm is 34 weeks to 36 6/7 weeks. This had been called near term but that is like saying almost but not quite.

These were terms those working in L&D and NICU had been using for awhile based from other literature but it takes a published statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to make the terms official for term infants.

[Arctickat]

Whoops, you are correct. I misstated the thread title. It should say Full Term rather than Preterm.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Arctickat

[mobey]

Nice find. Thanks

[iStater]

With these new terms I would like to give a word of caution. When some hear the word "early" they will still relate it to premature. This could cause unnecessary anxiety on top of an anxious situation.

[MariB]

I had a 7 lb baby girl who they believed was 37 weeks.... to find out she was likely 34. Can you imagine how big she would have been at 40?

Of course my others were in the 9s

[scubanurse]

There are several ways maturity are measured at the time of birth and where I've been they've done it on all babies. They're based on skin, ear folds, fingers, and various other characteristics.

I've seen term babies at 6lbs end up in the NICU and I've seen pre-term (34 weeks) end up going home on schedule.

I think the key to remember, especially in EMS, is that no baby is going to have a 100% guarantee to come out perfect and regardless of age there should be O2 and suctioning available at the time of delivery to support the baby.

[ERDoc]

Don't forget to limit the oxygen use to avoid retinopathy.

[scubanurse]

blow by with just the tubing across the nose and not aimed at the eyes is how I've seen it done.... or attached to a neonatal BVP and placed on the face with the mouth/nose mask attachment to avoid O2 in the eyes.