• If your pregnancy is healthy, it's best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks.
• The last 3 weeks being critical as important organs in your baby are still developing.
• Your baby is putting on layers of fat to control body temperatures at birth.
• In the last 6 weeks, your baby's brain adds connections still needed for balance, coordination, learning and social functioning.
• At 37 weeks, your baby's brain, lungs and liver are still developing.
• Babies born at 37 weeks are at higher risk for feeding disorders, bilirubin (Jaundice) disorders and longer stays in the hospital and NICU.
• At 38 weeks fetal hormones increase to help maintain blood pressure and blood sugar levels after birth.
• At 39 weeks, wrinkles in the brain (the sulci) are developing.
• The sulci helps coordinate a baby's suck/swallow response.
• Studies show babies born too early are more likely to have feeding problems.
• These babies will have a difficult time sucking, swallowing and breathing.
• At 35 weeks, a baby's brain weighs just 2/3 of what it does at 39 weeks.
• A 39-week delivery is important for your baby's full development.
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