HealthInfo Canterbury
Premature birth
Mō te whakawhānau pēpi wawe
Most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy – they're called term babies. Premature babies are those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Premature birth is quite common. Some babies are born just a week or two before term, while others are born extremely early.
About 10% of babies are born before 37 weeks and about 1% of babies are born before 30 weeks, which is classified as very premature.
Babies can survive outside the womb from 23 to 24 weeks, but the earlier they're born, the more likely they are to have lifelong problems. The nearer to term a baby is born, the fewer problems they're likely to have. This is because they've had more time to grow and develop in the womb.
Several factors can increase your risk of going into premature labour, including if you:
- have already had a premature baby
- are pregnant with twins or triplets
- smoke
- are underweight or very overweight
- have a medical condition such as diabetes, or high blood pressure
- have a problem with your cervix or uterus.
If you're concerned that you're going into labour early, contact your midwife as soon as possible. You may be able to have medication to stop or delay labour. This will give your baby more time to be prepared for birth.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Healthify He Puna Wairoa – Premature labour and birth
More information about premature labour, including why it happens, the risks and what happens after premature birth.
- Patient.info – Premature labour
More detailed information about premature labour, including warning signs, options and what premature birth will mean for your baby.
On the next page: Caring for a premature baby
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIPRE-439454
