When a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it’s called premature or preterm birth. The earlier the birth, the more serious the health risks to the baby. Some of the common risks include breathing problems and trouble maintaining temperature. Preterm infants may need special care in a NICU.
A preterm, premature or “preemie” baby is a baby born too early, or about three weeks before their due date. A full-term pregnancy (fetal development) lasts about 40 weeks. Preterm birth occurs when a baby is born at 37 weeks or earlier.
Premature or early birth can pose serious health risks to a newborn baby. That’s because many organs like the brain, lungs and liver, are still growing and developing in the final weeks of pregnancy. A premature baby may have trouble staying warm or feeding and may be at risk for developmental delays later in life.
Fortunately, advances in medical technology make it likely that a premature baby can overcome these early obstacles and grow into a healthy child.
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Healthcare providers consider a pregnancy to be full term when childbirth occurs at 39 weeks or later. Research shows that infants born after 39 weeks are less likely to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
When a baby is born after 37 weeks but before 39 weeks, healthcare providers call it early term. This isn’t the same as prematurity.
Deliveries before 37 weeks are considered preterm or premature. Preterm births fall into four categories:
About 1 out of every 10 births in the U.S. is premature.
Rates of premature birth are increasing as more people become pregnant after age 35 and as assisted reproductive technologies (like IVF) more often result in multiple gestations and higher-risk pregnancies.
Typically, the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk for health complications. This isn’t always the case, nor does it mean if your baby is born at 39 weeks, there’s no risk of complications. It just means that studies show a baby is more likely to be born healthy when it reaches at least 37 weeks of pregnancy before birth.
Premature births can happen suddenly, with no one cause. Sometimes, providers have to induce (start) labor early for medical reasons. People can also go into premature labor due to:
There may not be recognizable signs that an infant was born early. But, some of the more common symptoms of premature birth are:
You may be at an increased risk for a premature birth if you:
A premature baby doesn’t have enough time to fully develop. This means certain organs and body systems may not be ready to support them in their life outside the uterus. This can cause serious health problems. Preemie babies often need special care in a NICU before they can leave the hospital. After a premature baby is born, a neonatologist evaluates them to determine what type of care they may need.
Some of the most common health conditions that affect premature babies are:
Premature babies are also at a higher risk of developmental challenges during childhood. They may have health issues later in life, including:
A baby born prematurely can have a huge emotional impact on the entire family. People who go into preterm labor are more likely to have:
Sometimes. Only your baby’s healthcare provider can tell you what kind of care or monitoring they need or when it’s safe for your baby to go home. Sometimes you can bring medical equipment home and care for your baby on your own.
Preterm infants often need specialized medical care in a NICU. This is a specific part of the hospital for babies that need extra care and medical attention. Some babies stay in the NICU for weeks or months.
Preterm infants often need help with:
Sometimes, preterm labor stops and doesn’t result in birth. Labor may stop on its own, or with the right treatments.
If you go into preterm labor, your healthcare provider may recommend certain medications to stop or delay labor. If those medications don’t work, other medications may help prepare the baby for birth and prevent some medical complications.
There’s no single way to prevent premature birth, but you can take these steps to reduce your risk of premature labor:
Yes. The chances of a premature baby growing up to be healthy are quite good, especially if they were born after 34 weeks of pregnancy. The earlier a baby is born, the more likely they are to have health complications that could affect them later in life.
No, being born early isn’t a disability. It only increases your risk for certain disabilities.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the following signs of preterm labor:
If you have a health condition like diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) or preeclampsia, contact your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble managing your condition. Although preterm delivery may not be entirely preventable, your provider will work with you to manage the condition, which may extend the pregnancy to avoid early delivery.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Premature birth can create serious health concerns for a baby. When an infant doesn’t have enough time to develop in the uterus, important organs may not develop fully. However, advances in newborn care are helping many preterm infants grow into healthy, robust children. The best way to prevent premature birth is to attend all of your prenatal appointments, manage any underlying health conditions and live a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Be sure to always share your full medical history with your provider so they can help best care for you during pregnancy.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/23/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy