New Terminology for Term Pregnancies

In November, 2013, ACOG released Committee Opinion 579: Definition of Term Pregnancy. The new guideline suggests using the following terms:

• Preterm: Before 37 0/7 weeks gestation
• Early term: 37 0/7 - 38 6/7 weeks gestation
• Full term: 39 0/7 - 40 6/7 weeks gestation
• Late term: 41 0/7 - 41 6/7 weeks gestation
• Post-term: Greater than 42 0/7 weeks gestation

The Opinion recommends against referring to all deliveries between 37 and 42 weeks as Term. The new nomenclature emphasizes the primacy of neonatal outcomes between 39 and 41 weeks gestation.