How premature can you have a baby

Multiple factors can play into whether or not a baby will survive a premature birth, including:. As such, babies who are born very prematurely and survive face high odds of having some level of long-term effects. The severity of these effects depends on many factors, including the need for and types of treatment received. Typically, the more intense the life-saving treatments, the greater the risk factors for these extremely small and fragile babies. However, it is difficult to tell precisely which babies will have problems and how severe these problems will be later in life.

Some common long-term effects of being born very prematurely include:. If you expect to deliver an extremely premature baby, start a conversation with the doctors who will be caring for your baby about what type of resuscitation you would want for your child at which gestational ages. This is undoubtably a difficult situation to face. However, considering these issues before they are happening can give you a chance to ask all the pertinent questions and think through these tough decisions before they need to be made.

Among some questions parents who are facing a pre-term birth or who unexpectedly have one should ask:. There are so many variables to consider when delivering a preterm baby for both parents and medical professionals. It is not merely a discussion of whether the baby survives the birth, but what the long-term outcomes for your baby are. If your baby was born prematurely or you expect your baby to be born prematurely, talk at length with your baby's doctor so you can be as prepared as possible and get the support you may need.

Parental support groups are invaluable to both yourself and others. Get diet and wellness tips delivered to your inbox. Outcomes for extremely premature infants. Anesth Analg. Very premature births: Dilemmas and management. Part 1. Outcome of infants born before 28 weeks of postmenstrual age, and definition of a gray zone. Arch Pediatr. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Periviable birth. Published June Between-hospital variation in treatment and outcomes in extremely preterm infants.

N Engl J Med. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preterm Birth. Reviewed October 30, Barfield WD. Clin Perinatol. Born Too Soon: The global epidemiology of 15 million preterm births. Reprod Health. The following tables show the median birth weight, length and head circumference of premature babies at different gestational ages for each sex. If you deliver a preterm baby, your baby will likely need a longer hospital stay in a special nursery unit at the hospital.

Depending on how much care your baby requires, he or she may be admitted to an intermediate care nursery or the neonatal intensive care unit NICU. Doctors and a specialized team with training in taking care of preterm babies will be available to help care for your baby. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Your baby may need extra help feeding, and adapting immediately after delivery. Your health care team can help you understand what is needed and what your baby's care plan will be.

Often, the specific cause of premature birth isn't clear. However, there are known risk factors of premature delivery, including:. For unknown reasons, black women are more likely to experience premature birth than are women of other races. But premature birth can happen to anyone.

In fact, many women who have a premature birth have no known risk factors. While not all premature babies experience complications, being born too early can cause short-term and long-term health problems. Generally, the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. Birth weight plays an important role, too. Breathing problems. A premature baby may have trouble breathing due to an immature respiratory system.

If the baby's lungs lack surfactant — a substance that allows the lungs to expand — he or she may develop respiratory distress syndrome because the lungs can't expand and contract normally. Premature babies may also develop a lung disorder known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In addition, some preterm babies may experience prolonged pauses in their breathing, known as apnea. Temperature control problems. Premature babies can lose body heat rapidly. They don't have the stored body fat of a full-term infant, and they can't generate enough heat to counteract what's lost through the surface of their bodies.

If body temperature dips too low, an abnormally low core body temperature hypothermia can result. Hypothermia in a premature baby can lead to breathing problems and low blood sugar levels. In addition, a premature infant may use up all of the energy gained from feedings just to stay warm.

That's why smaller premature infants require additional heat from a warmer or an incubator until they're larger and able to maintain body temperature without assistance. Blood problems. Premature babies are at risk of blood problems such as anemia and newborn jaundice.

Anemia is a common condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells. That means they may only be doing the things that other 4-month-olds do.

Most paediatricians recommend correcting age when assessing growth and development until your child is 2 years old. The hospital will not send your baby home until they are confident both the baby and you are ready.

Staff will make sure you understand how to care for your baby at home. They will also show you how to use any equipment you may need. You will need appointments to see a neonatologist newborn baby doctor or paediatrician.

Your local child and family health nurse will also see you regularly. It is normal to feel a little worried when you are looking after your baby yourself after so long in hospital. Take it slowly in a calm and quiet environment until you both get used to being at home. You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on to speak to a maternal child health nurse.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. This essential guide for parents of premature babies covers gestational age, premature birth risk factors, premature labour and premature development. Read more on raisingchildren. Premature babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Our essential guide covers premature birth, babies, development, NICU and more.

After a premature birth, it can be hard for dads. Our dads guide to premature babies and birth covers feelings, bonding, and getting involved with your baby. Our checklist has answers to questions about premature birth and labour, covering where and how premature babies are born, and things to ask medical staff.

For parents with premature babies in the NICU, bonding might seem hard. This guide explains how to use touch, song, play and daily care to bond with baby. This article is based on our booklet 'Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby'.

The booklet contains valuable information from research on breastfeeding premature infants, as well as experiences of other parents of premature babies to inform, reassure and encourage you. If your baby has been, or is about to be born prematurely, we recommend that you purchase the booklet, which will provide much more information to help you deal with the challenges of breastfeeding and parenting your baby.

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website. Noise in the neonatal intensive care unit NICU can affect how premature babies sleep.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Milk collects, tests and distributes donated breast milk to help premature babies. Find out if Lifeblood donated breast milk can help your family. Read more on Australian Red Cross Lifeblood website. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

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