The four term categories
| Category | Gestational age | For a due date of June 14, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Early term | 37 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days | May 24, 2027 to Jun 6, 2027 |
| Full term | 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days | Jun 7, 2027 to Jun 20, 2027 |
| Late term | 41 weeks 0 days to 41 weeks 6 days | Jun 21, 2027 to Jun 27, 2027 |
| Postterm | 42 weeks 0 days onward | From Jun 28, 2027 |
These are the ACOG definitions.1 Births before 37 weeks 0 days are preterm. Notice that the due date, 40 weeks 0 days, sits in the middle of full term, not at its end.
Why the distinction matters
ACOG and SMFM retired the broad “37 to 42 weeks” label because outcomes for babies born across that span are not the same: on average, babies born in the early-term weeks have more breathing and other newborn problems than babies born at 39 or 40 weeks.1 These are averages across many births, not predictions for an individual baby.
Your own term dates
The due date calculator shows your four term windows as calendar dates, with today marked. You can also add them to your calendar as an all-day event range.
Past your due date
Being pregnant after 40 weeks is common: late term lasts until 41 weeks 6 days. Your care team will talk with you about monitoring and the option of induction as you go past your due date; timing differs between countries and practices. See 41 weeks and 42 weeks.