It’s understandable that you may become impatient as you enter the final weeks of pregnancy. Unless there is a medical need (determined by your doctor) for your baby to be delivered early, it’s safest to wait until 39-40 weeks for your baby to arrive.  

Being pregnant for the full 39 weeks gives your baby’s body all the time it needs to grow: 

• Important organs, like his brain, lungs and liver, get the time they need to develop. 
• Your baby is less likely to have vision and hearing problems after birth. 

• Your baby has time to gain more weight in the womb. Babies born at a healthy weight have an easier time staying warm than babies born too small. 
• Your baby can suck and swallow and stay awake long enough to eat after he’s born. Babies born early sometimes can’t do these things.