A baby that is born before 37 weeks gestation is considered to be ‘premature’ or ‘preterm’. There are different categories of prematurity:
extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks)
very preterm (between 28 and 32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (between 32 and 37 weeks).
In the UK, roughly eight one in every 100 babies will be born prematurely. Extremely preterm birth is less common with less than one in 100 babies being born between 22 and 28 weeks gestation.Preterm birth carries risks because babies who are born too soon may not be fully developed, and need specialist help for life outside of the womb. Preterm babies are also at risk of longer term health problems, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing impairment.
Call your midwife or maternity unit if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and you have:
regular period type pains or contractions
constant abdominal pain
a “show” – the mucus plug that sits inside the cervix during pregnancy. This can be clear or blood stained
fresh red bleeding from the vagina (take a photograph to show the midwife)
a gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina – this could be your waters breaking (place a sanitary towel (pad) inside your underwear to show your midwife)
backache that is not usual for you, or pressure in the vagina or rectum.
In most cases of preterm birth contractions and labour start spontaneously. Sometimes preterm birth happens when obstetricians or fetal medicine specialists intervene because of concerns about your health or the health of your baby.You may find this range of videos about premature birth from Best Beginnings helpful:
A baby that is born before 37 weeks gestation is considered to be ‘premature’ or ‘preterm’. There are different categories of prematurity:
