The typical duration of pregnancy should only be nine months, but there are cases wherein mothers give birth a month earlier or later than what is expected. Recent studies have shown that there is a detrimental effect on babies in their future academic performance when they are born pre-term or post-term.
The typical period for the mother to carry the child will range from 37 to 42 weeks, and thus a baby delivered before 37 weeks is defined as a premature baby (which would need more care than the usual), and a pregnancy that spans more than 42 weeks is a prolonged pregnancy (which would involve more complications). The week count will start at the date that has been pointed out by the dating scan since it is much more accurate that way compared to using one's last period.
According to Medical Daily, premature babies will most likely have cognitive, and development problems as full-term babies would have more time to develop and experience brain growth inside the womb, which usually happens during the third trimester. This is the same time where the fetus' brain grows exponentially, and much focus is placed upon brain development increasing its size up to four times.
Another study published by Oxford Journals points out that children born post-term had a developmental or neurological disorder as early as five years of age, which points out their trouble in school. The study also concluded that these kids experience behavioral problems as well such as attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Because of all these things, it is advised that mothers should naturally wait until their delivery date or within the reasonable delivery period so as their children would grow up to become healthy, and less exposed to certain risks mentioned above. Mothers should only deliver post-term or preterm if there is an immediate medical reason that needs to be addressed.
