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Premature birth

Premature birth

It may have been different in the 70's, but Robin Gibb’s experience of a premature birth is not an unusual situation. In Britain, around 7% to 8% of babies are born prematurely, and the rate is rising. If the mother is a teenager, a much older woman, or if IVF was involved, then there is a higher chance of a premature birth.

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Tommy's Pregnancy Information Line

In most cases the premature birth is natural

A baby is called 'premature' when it is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy have passed. In some cases, the premature birth is induced because there might be a risk in the pregnancy going to full term, but in most cases a premature birth is natural.

There are many reasons for premature birth, some of which are not fully understood. Leading a healthy lifestyle cuts the chances of premature birth, so it helps for you to set a good example for Mum, by leading a healthy lifestyle. But you shouldn't blame the mother for a premature birth – it’s not her fault.

It’s much less of a problem now than it used to be

Modern advances in medical science mean that premature children can often survive at weights of just a pound. But the younger the baby is at birth, the slimmer the chances of survival are, and there's a higher risk of later health problems - so they may have to be kept in an incubator for a few weeks.

If your baby is premature, this will be an anxious time, and the hospital staff know this. During this period your partner will particularly need your support. You may find it helpful to seek support for yourself too, and this is available through the Tommy’s pregnancy information line (Tel: 08707773063) or through the link to their website on the right.

If you'd like to share your experiences involving premature birth, drop us a line at editor@dads-space.com.