how many weeks is a full term pregnancy

A full-term pregnancy is typically considered to last between 39 weeks, 0 days and 40 weeks, 6 days. This range is regarded as the optimal period for the baby to be born, associating with the best health outcomes. Pregnancy is generally counted as about 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period, though actual delivery can vary slightly within this full-term window. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered preterm, while those born after 42 weeks are post-term.