What is this?!  Since a normal pregnancy lasts forty weeks plus two days on
the average, with a statistically predictable distribution of gestational
lengths on either side of this average, it is remarkable to see that babies
born after pregnancies lasting ten to twenty percent shorter are considered,
in the context of the quoted article, 'mildly' premature.
I don't know offhand where the cutoff line for plus/minus two standard
deviations from the norm is, but I'm willing to bet it is later than 36
weeks, meaning that babies born four weeks before term belong to a very
small and special minority.  The longer before term, the smaller and
'special-er'.
Averages have different meanings.  No one wants their child to be just an
average performer in school.  No one wants their income to be below average.
But no one wants to be above average in weight-to-height ratio.  Why the
notion that a shorter than average pregnancy is something to strive for, as
though it signifies precociousness on the part of baby or mother?
Inductions thought to be done at 37 weeks-- whatever the reason-- can easily
be 35 weeks in fact, within the margin of error of both menstrual dates and
ultrasound dates.  Watch out.
Rachel Myr
just wondering in Kristiansand, Norway

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