What makes a preemie

Premature babies are born before their bodies and organ systems have completely matured. These babies are smaller than they would have been if they were born at full term.

They may need help breathing, eating, fighting infection, and staying warm. Extremely premature babies, those born before 28 weeks, are at the greatest risk for problems. And they may be too immature to function well.

Premature babies can have long-term health problems as well. Generally, the more premature the baby, the more serious and long-lasting the health problems may be. More babies are surviving even though they are born early and are very small. But it is best to prevent preterm labor if possible.

It's important to get good prenatal care while you are pregnant. Your healthcare provider can help find problems and suggest lifestyle changes to lower the risk for preterm labor and birth. Some ways to help prevent prematurity include:. Your healthcare provider may give you the hormone progesterone if you are at high risk for preterm birth. Progesterone can help if you have had a previous preterm birth. They will usually be born through the vagina.

However, in some cases the doctor may decide it is safest to deliver the baby via caesarean. Your doctor will discuss this decision with you. A medical team from the neonatal newborn unit will be there for the birth.

As soon as your baby is born, they will care for the baby in your room, possibly using a neonatal baby resuscitation bed. The team will keep your baby warm and help them to breathe with an oxygen mask or breathing tube, and possibly medicine.

Some babies need help to keep their heart beating with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation CPR or an injection of adrenalin. Babies born at 36 to 37 weeks usually look like small full-term babies. Very premature babies will be small perhaps fitting in your hand and look very fragile.

Most premature babies will develop normally, but they are at higher risk of developmental problems so will need regular health and development checks at the hospital or with a paediatrician. For example, a 6-month-old baby who was born 2 months early would have a corrected age of 4 months.

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. Can you spoil a newborn baby? The reality is you may actually be helping your baby by holding them frequently in those early weeks. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Parenthood Baby Premature Infant. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Causes Complications Treatment Outlook Prevention Overview Birth is considered premature, or preterm, when it occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy.

Causes of premature birth. A pregnant woman with any of the following conditions is more likely to have a premature birth: diabetes heart disease kidney disease high blood pressure Pregnancy-related factors associated with premature birth include: poor nutrition before and during pregnancy smoking, using illegal drugs, or drinking too much alcohol during pregnancy certain infections, such as urinary tract and amniotic membrane infections premature birth in a previous pregnancy an abnormal uterus a weakened cervix opening early Pregnant women also have an increased chance of delivering early if they are younger than 17 or older than Potential health problems in premature infants.

A premature infant may show these signs soon after birth: trouble breathing low weight low body fat inability to maintain a constant body temperature less activity than normal movement and coordination problems difficulties with feeding abnormally pale or yellow skin Premature infants may also be born with life-threatening conditions.

These can include: brain hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain pulmonary hemorrhage, or bleeding in the lungs hypoglycemia , or low blood sugar neonatal sepsis, a bacterial blood infection pneumonia , an infection and inflammation of the lungs patent ductus arteriosus , an unclosed hole in the main blood vessel of the heart anemia , a lack of red blood cells for transporting oxygen throughout the body neonatal respiratory distress syndrome , a breathing disorder caused by underdeveloped lungs Some of these problems can be resolved through proper critical care for the newborn.

Common tests include: chest X-ray to evaluate heart and lung development blood tests to assess glucose, calcium, and bilirubin levels blood gas analysis to determine blood oxygen levels. Treating a premature infant. Long-term outlook for premature infants. Preventing premature birth. Other important preventive measures include: Eating a healthy diet before and during your pregnancy.

Parenthood Baby 06 Months. Sleep Disorders in Children. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD. 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. While all newborns experience a slow drop in red blood cell count during the first months of life, the decrease may be greater in premature babies.

Newborn jaundice is a yellow discoloration in a baby's skin and eyes that occurs because the baby's blood contains excess bilirubin, a yellow-colored substance, from the liver or red blood cells.