Are babies born at 37 weeks healthy?
Are Babies Born at 37 Weeks Healthy? What You Really Need to Know
What Does “37 Weeks” Actually Mean?
Okay, so here's the scoop: a full-term pregnancy is considered to be between 39 and 40 weeks. When a baby is born at 37 weeks, they’re officially labeled as “early term.” Not premature, but not fully full-term either. It’s that awkward in-between phase, kind of like being 17 years and 11 months old—not a kid, but not quite an adult.
Early Term vs. Preterm vs. Full-Term
Let’s break it down:
Preterm: before 37 weeks
Early term: 37 to 38 weeks
Full term: 39 to 40 weeks
Late term: 41 weeks
Post-term: 42 weeks and beyond (yikes)
So technically, yes, a 37-week baby is on the term spectrum, but… there’s more to the story.
How Healthy Are Babies Born at 37 Weeks?
Most Are Just Fine (But Not All)
Generally speaking, most babies born at 37 weeks are healthy enough to go home within the usual timeframe—usually within a couple of days. Their lungs are usually developed, they can breathe on their own, and they don’t need NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) time.
BUT—and here’s the twist—not all babies are the same.
Some 37-weekers might have:
Feeding issues (they get sleepy while nursing)
Jaundice (a bit more common due to immature liver function)
Low blood sugar
Temperature regulation troubles (especially if they’re on the small side)
So while they’re usually okay, there’s a slightly higher chance of hiccups.
Real Talk: What Pediatricians Say
I once heard a neonatologist (in a café, oddly enough) say something that stuck with me: “Thirty-seven isn’t the same for every baby. Some are champs, others need a bit of extra help.” That felt real. It's not binary. Think of it more like a sliding scale.
Why Some Babies Arrive at 37 Weeks
Sometimes it’s nature, sometimes it’s necessity. Labor might start spontaneously, or doctors may induce early due to:
Preeclampsia
Gestational diabetes
Placental issues
Or, well... things just happen
Honestly, my cousin had her baby at 37 weeks after her water broke out of nowhere—while she was watching a rerun of The Office. True story.
What to Watch For After Birth
Signs That Might Need Attention
Trouble latching or staying awake to eat
Yellowish skin or eyes
Cold hands and feet even when bundled
Sleepiness that goes beyond “aww cute”
Early-term babies are a bit more prone to those little bumps, so just keep an eye out. It doesn’t mean something’s wrong—it just means they’re adjusting.
Final Thoughts (And a Tiny Shift in Perspective)
Are babies born at 37 weeks healthy? Most of the time, yes. But let’s not gloss over the nuance. While most 37-weekers thrive, it’s smart to be a tad more watchful in those first few days.
In the end, every baby writes their own story. And hey—whether it’s week 37 or 40, when they arrive, everything changes anyway. No manual, no pause button… just life, messy and magical.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.