Original Article

Burden of Elective Early-Term Births in Rural Appalachia

Objectives: Infants delivered at ≥37 weeks’ gestation are considered full term, but research has demonstrated those born at 37 to 38 weeks (early term) have a higher risk for poor birth outcomes than deliveries at 39 to 41 weeks (full term). Despite this, many deliveries occur electively (scheduled, no medical…