Summary of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Background:

The ACOG recommended a new gestational age designations, to encourage the uniformity in describing deliveries occurring at or beyond 37 weeks of gestation among healthcare personnels, in order to facilitate data reporting, delivery of quality health care, and clinical research.

Recommended classifications of term pregnancy:

• Early term:
  37 weeks through 38 ⁶⁄₇ weeks
   
• Full term:
  39 weeks through 40 ⁶⁄₇ weeks
   
• Late term:
  41 weeks through 41 ⁶⁄₇ weeks
   
• Post-term:
  42 weeks and beyond

Meanwhile, it is recommended that the label “term” to describe all deliveries between 37 weeks and 41 ⁶⁄₇ weeks of gestation should be discouraged.

WYE-EM-223-NOV-13

Reference

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Committee Opinion Number 579. Definition of Term Pregnancy. Link to ACOG