Gestational Age Definitions

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Year 2013) endorse and encourage the uniform use of new gestational age designations by all clinicians.

Recommended Designations according to the gestational age are – 

• Late preterm    : 34 ^0/7 weeks through 36 ^6/7 weeks
• Early term         : 37 ^0/7 weeks through 38 ^6/7 weeks
• Full term           : 39 ^0/7 weeks through 40 ^6/7 weeks
• Late term          : 41 ^0/7 weeks through 41 ^6/7 weeks
• Post-term         : 42 ^0/7 weeks and beyond

Research has shown that neonatal outcomes, especially respiratory morbidity, vary depending on the gestational age at time of birth.

READ Original Publication by ACOG