Premature Birth: What to Expect If Your Baby Comes Early

Medically reviewed content. Last updated: April 2026.

A premature (preterm) birth is when your baby arrives before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Around 1 in 13 babies in the UK are born prematurely. While this can be frightening, advances in neonatal care mean that outcomes for premature babies are better than ever. This guide explains what premature birth means, what your baby might need, and how to get support.

What counts as premature?

Premature birth is defined as any birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. It is further categorised by how early the baby arrives:

• Late preterm: 34 to 36 weeks. These babies usually do well but may need a short stay in the neonatal unit.
• Moderately preterm: 32 to 33 weeks. These babies often need help with feeding and temperature regulation.
• Very preterm: 28 to 31 weeks. These babies require neonatal intensive care and a longer hospital stay.
• Extremely preterm: Before 28 weeks. These babies need the most intensive care, and outcomes depend heavily on gestational age and individual circumstances.

The majority of premature births (around 70%) happen between 34 and 36 weeks, where outcomes are generally very good.

What causes premature birth?

In many cases, the exact cause is not known. Known risk factors include:

• Previous premature birth (the strongest predictor)
• Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
• Cervical weakness (also called cervical insufficiency)
• Infections, including urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis
• Pre-eclampsia or other pregnancy complications requiring early delivery
• Placental abruption (the placenta separating from the uterus wall)
• Premature rupture of membranes (waters breaking early)
• Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease
• Smoking during pregnancy
• Being underweight or very overweight
• Stress and physical exhaustion
• Very short interval between pregnancies (less than 6 months)

Sometimes premature birth is planned (medically indicated) because continuing the pregnancy would pose a greater risk to you or your baby than early delivery.

What are the signs of premature labour?

Contact your maternity unit immediately if you experience any of the following before 37 weeks:

• Regular contractions or tightenings that do not stop with rest
• A dull, low backache that feels different from normal pregnancy discomfort
• A feeling of pressure in your pelvis
• Period-like cramping
• A change in vaginal discharge, particularly if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or blood-tinged
• Your waters breaking (a gush or trickle of fluid)

Early assessment gives your medical team the best chance of either stopping premature labour or preparing for a safe delivery.

What happens if you go into premature labour?

Steroid injections

If premature birth seems likely between 24 and 34 weeks, you will be offered corticosteroid injections (usually two doses of betamethasone, 12 hours apart). These help your baby's lungs mature faster, significantly reducing the risk of breathing difficulties after birth. They are most effective when given at least 24 hours before delivery.

Magnesium sulphate

If birth is expected before 30 weeks, you may be given magnesium sulphate through a drip. This has been shown to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in very premature babies.

Tocolytics

In some cases, medication may be given to try to slow or stop contractions temporarily. This does not prevent premature birth but can buy valuable time, usually 24 to 48 hours, for steroids to take effect or for you to be transferred to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Transfer to a specialist unit

If your local hospital does not have the level of neonatal care your baby is likely to need, you may be transferred to a hospital with a NICU. This is safest done before birth rather than after.

What care will your premature baby need?

The level of care depends on how early your baby arrives and their individual health.

Neonatal unit levels

• Special care (SCBU). For babies who need extra monitoring, help with feeding, or minor support. Most late preterm babies are cared for here.
• High dependency. For babies who need more intensive monitoring or support, such as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for breathing.
• Neonatal intensive care (NICU). For the most premature and unwell babies who need ventilation, specialist medication, or surgical intervention.

Common challenges for premature babies

• Breathing. Premature lungs may not produce enough surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs inflate. Breathing support ranges from supplemental oxygen to CPAP to mechanical ventilation.
• Feeding. Sucking, swallowing, and breathing in a coordinated way typically develops around 34 to 36 weeks. Before this, your baby may be fed through a nasogastric tube (a thin tube through the nose into the stomach). Expressed breast milk is especially beneficial for premature babies.
• Temperature regulation. Premature babies have less body fat and may struggle to stay warm. They are cared for in incubators or under radiant warmers.
• Jaundice. Very common in premature babies. Phototherapy (light treatment) is used if bilirubin levels are too high.
• Infection. Premature babies have immature immune systems and are more vulnerable to infection. Strict hygiene in the neonatal unit helps protect them.

How can you bond with your premature baby?

Being separated from your baby by incubators and medical equipment can feel devastating. But bonding is absolutely possible, and your presence matters enormously.

Kangaroo care (skin to skin)

Holding your baby against your bare chest is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Research shows that kangaroo care stabilises heart rate and breathing, helps regulate temperature, supports breastfeeding, reduces stress for both parent and baby, and promotes bonding. Most neonatal units actively encourage skin-to-skin contact as soon as your baby is stable enough.

Express breast milk

If your baby cannot breastfeed directly yet, expressing breast milk provides vital antibodies and nutrition. Your neonatal unit will have breast pumps available and support you with establishing your supply. Even small amounts of colostrum are incredibly valuable for premature babies.

Talk and touch

Your baby knows your voice from the womb. Talking, singing, and reading to your baby, as well as gentle touch and hand-holding, all support neurological development and comfort.

How long will your baby be in hospital?

As a general guide, many premature babies are ready to go home around their original due date, though some come home earlier and some need longer. Your baby will typically need to meet certain milestones before discharge:

• Maintaining body temperature in an open cot
• Feeding well (breast or bottle) without tube support
• Gaining weight consistently
• No episodes of apnoea (pauses in breathing) for a specified period
• No ongoing need for oxygen or other respiratory support

Emotional support for parents

Having a baby in neonatal care is an emotionally intense experience. Feelings of shock, guilt, helplessness, anxiety, and grief (for the birth experience you expected) are all completely normal.

• Talk to the neonatal team. They understand what you are going through and can explain your baby's care in a way that helps you feel more in control.
• Bliss. The UK's leading charity for babies born premature or sick. They offer a family support helpline (0500 618 140), online communities, and information resources. bliss.org.uk
• Counselling. Many neonatal units have access to psychological support for parents. Ask if this is available at your hospital.
• Peer support. Connecting with other NICU parents, whether in person or online, can be incredibly helpful. You are not alone in this.

Key takeaways

• Premature birth affects around 1 in 13 babies in the UK, with the majority born between 34 and 36 weeks
• If premature birth seems likely, steroid injections and sometimes magnesium sulphate are given to support your baby
• Neonatal care in the UK is highly advanced, and outcomes for premature babies continue to improve
• Kangaroo care, expressed breast milk, and your voice and touch all play a vital role in your baby's recovery
• Most premature babies are ready to go home around their original due date
• Emotional support is essential, and charities like Bliss offer dedicated help for families with premature babies

Sources

• NHS. Premature labour and birth. nhs.uk
• NICE Guideline NG25. Preterm labour and birth. 2015, updated 2022
• RCOG. When your baby is born early. Patient information. 2023
• Bliss. bliss.org.uk
• Tommy's. Premature birth. tommys.org
• Conde-Agudelo A, Diaz-Rossello JL. Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016