Error: This is required. Error: Not a valid value. Most pregnancies last 40 weeks. A baby born before the 37th week is known as a premature or pre-term baby. Medical advances have meant that more than 9 out of 10 premature babies survive, and most go on to develop normally. In Australia, almost 1 in every 10 babies is born prematurely. Most Australian premature babies are born between 32 and 36 weeks and don't have any serious long-term problems.
Very premature babies are at a higher risk of developmental problems. It is possible for babies born at 23 to 24 weeks to survive, but they are at a greater risk of health complications. Many babies born before 32 weeks, and those weighing 2. They will usually be cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit NICU until they have developed enough to survive on their own. Babies born between 32 and 37 weeks may need care in a special care nursery SCN. Often the cause of premature birth is not known.
However, some of the reasons babies are born prematurely include:. You should also contact your midwife or doctor if you experience swelling in your face, hands or feet , or double vision, blurred vision or other eye disturbances. These are signs of pre-eclampsia, which is a common cause of pre-term births. Find out more about the signs of labour. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and you experience any of the signs of premature labour , contact your doctor or nearest birthing centre immediately.
It may be possible to slow down or stop the labour. Each day your baby stays inside your womb, the better their outcomes are likely to be. You can find your nearest suitable hospital on the Miracle Babies Foundation website.
At the hospital, you will probably have a pelvic examination or an ultrasound. The medical team will check whether your cervix has started to open for labour and monitor your baby. If the hospital where the baby is born does not have an NICU, you and your baby may be transferred to another hospital. When you are in labour, you may be given medicines to stop the contractions for a while. This allows you to be transferred to another hospital if necessary.
