A Guide to Premature Births: Answering Your Questions

A premature birth is rarely something that expectant parents plan for. When a premature baby arrives early, it often happens unexpectedly and with very little warning, meaning that some of the preparations in your birth plan have to adapt quickly.

Having clear information ahead of time can make all the difference. While every birth story is unique, understanding why an early birth happens, what to expect in hospital, and how to support your baby can help you feel far more confident if your journey takes an unexpected turn.

[Post updated September 2026]

What is a premature birth?

A premature birth is when a baby arrives before the 37th week of pregnancy. A typical full-term pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, with full term considered anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation. Read more about due dates here.

In the UK, the NHS reports that around 8 out of every 100 live births are premature. Globally, charities such as Tommy’s, Bliss, and the March of Dimes highlight these statistics during Prematurity Awareness Month each November, raising support for the millions of families affected by an early arrival each year.

Healthcare professionals group preterm infants into different categories based on their gestational age at birth. The earlier a baby arrives, the less mature their organ systems are, which means each group faces distinct developmental needs:

• Extremely preterm babies are born before 28 weeks of gestation.
• Very preterm babies are born between 28 and 32 weeks gestation.
• Moderately preterm babies are born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
• Late preterm babies are born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation.

Babies born closer to their due date often need only brief assistance, while very preterm infants and extremely preterm newborns require comprehensive medical care from a specialist team.

What causes premature labour and birth?

In many instances, the exact causes of premature birth are unknown, and early labour begins without a clear trigger. However, healthcare providers have identified several known risk factors that can lead to an increased risk of premature birth.

Pregnant women may be at higher risk of preterm birth if they have experienced a previous premature birth, are carrying twins or triplets, or conceived through in vitro fertilisation. The time between pregnancies can also have an influence.

Underlying medical conditions can also lead to premature labour. Issues such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, and pre-existing high blood pressure can impact fetal development and trigger an early delivery. Problems directly relating to the pregnancy itself, including a weak cervix, infections in the amniotic fluid, vaginal bleeding, or placental abruption, where the placenta separates early from the wall of the uterus, require prompt medical attention and may necessitate an early birth.

Wider maternal factors also play a significant role. Studies continually demonstrate that socioeconomic status, access to high quality prenatal care, lifestyle habits such as smoking, and chronic stress affect pregnancy outcomes. Data from both the UK and international registries also highlight marked disparities across ethnic groups, with Black women experiencing significantly higher rates of preterm birth and pregnancy complications compared to other backgrounds.

Routine prenatal care remains one of the best ways to spot potential issues early. Regular antenatal appointments allow your health care provider to run blood tests, monitor your blood pressure, check on your baby’s health, and step in with preventive treatments if you show signs of being at high risk.

Is a premature birth always unexpected?

While many premature babies arrive spontaneously following early contractions or the early breaking of waters, some early deliveries are carefully planned.

When serious health complications threaten the wellbeing of the mother or child, healthcare professionals may decide that an early delivery is the safest path forward. A frequent reason for this is severe pre-eclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy along with potential kidney or liver strain.

If medical monitoring shows that a condition is becoming dangerous, your health care team might advise inducing preterm labour or arranging a caesarean section well before the 37th week of pregnancy. These decisions are always made with great care, balancing the baby’s gestational age against the immediate health risks of continuing the pregnancy.

What health complications can premature infants face?

Medical advancements in neonatal medicine have transformed the survival rate and long term outlook for premature infants over the last few decades. Even so, being born before vital body systems have finished developing does bring potential health problems. The severity of these issues depends largely on how early the baby arrives, and many late preterm babies experience only minor, short-lived difficulties.

Breathing difficulties

A baby’s lungs are among the last major organs to fully mature. Because premature infants often lack adequate pulmonary surfactant, a substance that keeps the tiny air sacs open, they are vulnerable to respiratory distress syndrome. Preterm babies who require oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation for extended periods can also go on to develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a type of chronic lung disease that requires careful management as the lungs grow.

Temperature regulation

Premature babies have very little body fat and a high surface area compared to their weight, meaning they lose body heat rapidly. Lacking the ability to regulate their own body temperature, they are usually placed inside a temperature-controlled incubator or heated cot to help them conserve vital energy.

Feeding and nutrition

Babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy often lack the coordinated suck-swallow-breathe reflex needed to feed from the breast or bottle. Many preterm babies receive nutrition through a thin nasogastric tube passed into the stomach. Wherever possible, maternal breast milk is recommended, as it provides specialised nutrients and protective antibodies that help shield delicate digestive tracts from complications.

Heart and circulation issues

A common cardiac complication in premature infants is patent ductus arteriosus. This occurs when a temporary fetal blood vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery fails to close naturally after birth. If left open, it can cause abnormal blood flow between the heart and lungs, potentially leading to low blood pressure, heart problems, or a slow heart rate. In addition, premature babies produce fewer red blood cells, which frequently leads to anaemia in the weeks following birth.

Vulnerability to infections

Because their immune systems are still immature and they miss out on the vital transfer of maternal antibodies that happens during the final weeks of a full-term pregnancy, premature infants have a higher risk of developing infections. Special hygiene protocols are strictly observed in neonatal nurseries to protect these vulnerable babies.

Brain and neurological concerns

Very small blood vessels in the brain are delicate in preterm babies. In some cases, these vessels can bleed, a condition known as intraventricular hemorrhage. Mild bleeding often resolves with minimal impact, but more severe bleeds can lead to fluid accumulation and pressure on brain tissue, which requires ongoing monitoring.

Sensory development

Premature infants are vulnerable to vision problems caused by retinopathy of prematurity. This condition occurs when blood vessels at the back of the eye grow abnormally across the retina. Dedicated eye screenings are carried out on neonatal units so any abnormal growth can be managed before it causes lasting sight loss.

Long term development

While many premature babies grow up without any lasting medical problems, some face long term challenges. These can include developmental delays in speech, motor skills, or learning, as well as an increased risk of cerebral palsy, vision loss, or hearing difficulties. Accessing early intervention services, such as community physiotherapy, speech therapy, and pediatric follow-ups, ensures children receive the structured support they need to reach their developmental milestones.

Hospital care for premature babies

If your baby arrives early, they will be admitted to an appropriate hospital unit depending on their medical needs. Many hospitals feature a special nursery unit, such as a Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), designed for babies who need extra support with feeding, jaundice treatment, or keeping warm.

Babies who need complex medical care, continuous monitoring, or advanced breathing equipment will be cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or local neonatal unit.

Stepping into a neonatal unit can feel overwhelming at first. There are incubators, monitors, alarms, and specialised equipment everywhere. However, the health care team of doctors, neonatal nurses, and allied healthcare professionals are there to guide you through every stage.

Parents and family members are encouraged to be deeply involved in their baby’s everyday care. From changing tiny nappies to practising kangaroo care, where your baby rests skin-to-skin against your bare chest, these moments promote bonding, stabilise your baby’s body temperature and breathing, and support healthy brain development.

Cord blood collection during an early birth

Expectant parents frequently ask whether it is still possible to collect umbilical cord blood and tissue if their baby arrives prematurely.

In short, yes, it is entirely feasible to collect cord blood and tissue for stem cell storage when a baby is born early. Collections can take place whether your baby arrives vaginally or via caesarean section, and whether labour began naturally or was induced.

Preserving these stem cells can offer unique future options. Research into regenerative medicine continues to explore how a baby’s own cord blood stem cells might support treatments for neurological issues, lung injury, and other health issues that can be associated with prematurity.

Interestingly, research indicates that while the total volume of cord blood collected from a preterm baby is typically smaller than that from full-term babies, the concentration of active stem cells per unit can be significantly higher. These findings help confirm that valuable stem cell yields can still be obtained even from earlier gestations.

The primary priority during any early delivery will always be the health and immediate safety of you and your baby. If medical complications arise at delivery, your clinical care team must focus on clinical stabilisation first. However, if your health care provider confirms that mother and baby are stable, your phlebotomist or clinical team will do everything possible to complete the collection smoothly. Letting your midwife and doctor know that cord blood collection is included in your birth plan ensures everyone is prepared on the day.

Looking ahead

Bringing a premature baby into the world can involve unexpected twists and turns, long days in hospital, and moments of real worry. Yet with modern neonatal medicine, dedicated healthcare teams, and the support of experienced early intervention services, the outlook for preterm babies continues to improve year after year.

If you are currently navigating an early birth or have questions about how stem cell storage fits into your birth plan, our team is always here to provide clear, reassuring guidance. Get in touch to discuss anything!

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