According to a new study the definition of a premature birth should be raised to more than 37 weeks which is currently considered a full term pregnancy! Babies could still benefit from more time in the womb, the study has suggested.

The research has concluded children born prematurely are at risk of slower brain development, than those born at 41 weeks achieving slightly better scores in academic tests.

Those born at 37 weeks were found to be %33 more likely to suffer severe reading impairment and % 19 more likely to have moderate mathematical impairment.

The study, by Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, warned parents and medical professionals to use caution when considering an elective early delivery as commonly practiced nowadays.

The research, led by Kimberly Noble, used academic test scores from 128,000 eight-year-olds in New York public schools to compare with their birth records.

They found children born at 41 weeks scored an average one point higher than those born at 37 weeks!

So moms don't rush for delivery or elective induction or unnecessary caesarian to get it done with or for doctor's convenience until the baby is due at 41 weeks!