I believed they changed the 'term' classifications around 6/7 years ago for this exact reason. 'Full term' is 39 weeks to 40+6. The 37 week 'full term' idea is dangerous and outdated but one that is still present in a lot of women's minds.
I was present at a delivery where a woman with gestational diabetes was induced at 37wks due to a large for gestational age baby being detected on growth scans. When delivered it had to go special care because it was <6lb, had yet to develop its sucking reflex and couldnt maintain its own temperature.
So even with all the medical knowledge we have these days it's still impossible to tell the exact moment a baby is ready for life outside, and that is why an obstetric team will only induce pre 39 weeks if the risk to mother or baby outweighs the risks of baby not being ready for the outside world.
Pregnancy and birth comes with risk, I can't imagine why anyone would add to that risk by trying to bring on labour pre 39 weeks. It's always best to let your baby, your body and/or your obstetric team lead the way
This isn’t true at all. Full term pregnancy is 37-42 weeks by definition from NICE and WHO. I’m a Midwife.