International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What classification level does a newborn who is born at 42 weeks or later fall under?

1. Full term

2. Late preterm

3. Post term

4. Early term

The correct answer is: Post term

A newborn born at 42 weeks or later is classified as post term. This classification is based on gestational age, which is the duration of pregnancy measured from the first day of the last menstrual period. Typically, a full-term pregnancy lasts from 37 to 42 weeks. When a baby is born after 42 weeks, it is considered post term, indicating that the pregnancy has extended beyond the typical full-term range. This can lead to certain considerations for the health of both the baby and the mother, as there can be increased risks associated with post-term births, such as placental insufficiency and increased fetal distress. In contrast, a full term baby is defined as being born between 39 and 41 weeks. Late preterm refers to babies born between 34 and 36 weeks, while early term encompasses births occurring between 37 and 38 weeks. Understanding these classifications is crucial for healthcare providers in order to monitor and manage the health of newborns appropriately.