Preterm labor is defined as birth before the ___ week of pregnancy.

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Multiple Choice

Preterm labor is defined as birth before the ___ week of pregnancy.

Explanation:
Preterm labor means the baby is born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. In obstetrics, term pregnancy starts at 37 weeks and continues to about 42 weeks, so any birth occurring prior to 37 weeks is classified as preterm. This cutoff is used because outcomes generally improve as gestational age increases, with babies born before 37 weeks at higher risk for respiratory, feeding, and other complications. Deliveries at 38 weeks are considered term, and births at 34–36 weeks are still preterm, but the standard boundary is 37 weeks.

Preterm labor means the baby is born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. In obstetrics, term pregnancy starts at 37 weeks and continues to about 42 weeks, so any birth occurring prior to 37 weeks is classified as preterm. This cutoff is used because outcomes generally improve as gestational age increases, with babies born before 37 weeks at higher risk for respiratory, feeding, and other complications. Deliveries at 38 weeks are considered term, and births at 34–36 weeks are still preterm, but the standard boundary is 37 weeks.

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