What makes a baby a preemie?

I had Sophie at 36 weeks. She was 5 lbs. 11 oz. And granted there were complications - but not baby complications - just mommy complications and I was induced.

My friend had her baby at 36.5 weeks. He was 7 lbs. 3 oz. Again no complications - he just came early.

They dont' call him a preemie though. And they called Sophie a preemie. Now is it a weight thing? Or because she was induced and not really ready to come out on her own?

I think it's a combo weight/week thing. I've read that they classify anything before 37 weeks as preemie. I was a preemie, 5 lbs. 3 oz., so Sophia has me beat!!!

Jenny, I have to share my newly obtained knowledge!

Promise you will not laugh!

I was watching ER yesterday and there was a reference there that if the baby is past 36 weeks it' s not a preemie anymore! There! Watching TV finally pays off!

I have to second that...anything after 36 weeks is a FULL TERM baby...even if the baby has low birth weight for whatever reason.

So baby Sophia was a beautiful full term baby girl. Induction plays no role in it after 36 weeks, in fact they can go in a take the baby at 34 weeks if godforbid there is a problem.

HTH

BTW: My daughter was induced at 39 weeks.

My midwife and last OB both said 37 weeks is full term. My niece was born at 36 wks. My SIL had to have a schedulded early c-section due to low amniotic fluid and the baby was breech. Even though she weighed 5lbs. 5 oz., did not need to go to the NICU or have any oxygen, she was considered a preemie. It is just because she was born before 37 weeks. Here is a blurb from babycenter:
(Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term — a baby born before 37 weeks is preterm and after 42 is post-term.)