This may mean that the definition for term needs to be revised upward to 39-42 weeks, he added.
“It also means that physicians should try to do everything possible to keep from delivering women until they've reached 39 weeks of gestation, unless there are valid reasons for delivery to protect the health of the mother,” he said.
Vitals
DR. REECE is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore. He is also professor in the departments of obstetrics and gynecology, medicine, and biochemistry and molecular biology. Dr. Reece said he had no relevant financial disclosures.