What is a premature baby?
Most pregnancies last 40 weeks. A baby born before the 37th week is known as a premature or preterm baby. Thanks to medical advances, more than 9 out of 10 premature babies survive, and most of them develop normally.
Very premature babies are at higher risk of developmental problems. Babies born at 23 to 24 weeks can survive, but this carries significant risk.
Most babies born before 32 weeks, and babies weighing 2.5 kg or less, may need help with breathing and may stay in a neonatal intensive care unit until they are developed enough to manage on their own. Babies born between 32 and 37 weeks may need care in a special care baby unit.
Why are babies born early?
In around half of all cases, the cause of premature birth is unknown. Some of the reasons babies are born prematurely include:
- problems with the cervix, when it is too weak to hold the weight of the baby and the womb and so begins to open early (known as cervical insufficiency)
- a multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
- the mother has a medical condition that means the baby needs to be delivered early
- problems with the placenta, such as placental insufficiency, placenta praevia, placenta accreta or placental abruption
- premature rupture of the membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks spontaneously
- the mother has a condition such as diabetes
- a previous premature birth
If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and have any signs of premature labour, such as contractions, your waters breaking, bleeding, a mucus discharge from the vagina or a sudden decrease in your baby’s movements, see a doctor. It may be possible to slow down or stop labour. Every day the baby remains in the womb increases its chances of survival.
What can I do as a pregnant woman to reduce the risk of premature birth?
Are you pregnant and sometimes worried that your little miracle might arrive too early? In many cases you cannot control when your little one decides to make an early entrance. Certain habits, however, can have a positive effect on the course of your pregnancy:
- Avoid nicotine and alcohol.
- Try to keep stress to a minimum.
- Give yourself enough breaks to rest.
- Make an appointment with a dentist.
- Attend regular check-ups and have your urine tested for infection.
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid foods that carry a risk of infection. These include, for example, raw meat and fish products, unpasteurised milk and raw eggs.
How does a premature birth take place?
In principle, premature babies can be delivered either naturally or by caesarean section. For very small premature babies, a caesarean section is more often the choice. This type of delivery is considered gentler for extremely premature babies. A caesarean section is also performed in emergencies, when the baby needs to be delivered quickly.
Childbirth in Switzerland is fully prepared for the birth of premature babies, ensuring they come into the world in the best possible way and receive the care and treatment they need afterwards.
Long-term development of premature babies
How will my child develop? Will they have motor or cognitive impairments? Will they be able to live a completely normal life? Questions about the future occupy most parents of premature babies. A definite prognosis is difficult — every premature baby is different. But most premature babies grow into healthy children and adults. Late preterm babies in particular quickly catch up with other children. After a very early premature birth, these little fighters usually need a little more time to catch up. Yet thanks to continuous progress in medicine, more and more people who started life extremely early are able to live with virtually no limitations.
Corrected age is used to assess a premature baby’s development in the first years of life. Because prognosis is complex, premature babies should be seen regularly by a paediatrician. In this way, any developmental delays can be recognised quickly and treated if necessary.
What are the long-term effects of premature birth? On average, premature babies fall ill more often and have a somewhat weaker immune system. Some of the most serious long-term problems include lung disease, spasticity and blindness. Fortunately, these cases are rare. More common are mild motor impairments, sometimes a slightly lower IQ and a tendency towards learning difficulties. Targeted early support, however, can have a positive effect on development.
