Will a baby born at 37 weeks have poor development?

Mar 26, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
At 37 weeks of pregnancy, the woman is in the late stage of pregnancy and the baby is already mature. If conditions such as premature rupture of membranes occur, early delivery may be considered. If the baby is improperly fed after birth—such as being overfed or underfed—it may lead to indigestion, malnutrition, and similar issues. Additionally, inadequate warmth may easily result in colds, pneumonia, and other illnesses, potentially leading to poor development.

Generally, a baby born at 37 weeks usually does not experience poor development if proper postnatal care is provided. However, inadequate postnatal care may easily lead to developmental problems. The details are as follows:

No

A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Delivery before 37 weeks is considered preterm, while delivery after 42 weeks is considered post-term. At 37 weeks of gestation, the pregnancy is typically in its late stage and the baby is generally mature. If complications such as premature rupture of membranes or low amniotic fluid occur, early delivery may be considered. After birth, with exclusive breastfeeding and careful daily care, the baby usually develops normally without growth delays.

Yes

If improper feeding practices occur after birth—such as overfeeding or underfeeding—the baby may develop indigestion or malnutrition. Additionally, inadequate warmth can lead to illnesses like colds and pneumonia, negatively affecting growth and development, potentially resulting in poor development.

After birth, it's important to provide the baby with a comfortable living environment, maintain a proper feeding schedule, monitor growth progress, and seek immediate medical attention if any abnormalities are observed.