Premature birth: what to expect if your baby comes early

About 8 in 100 babies are born early. If it happens, you will not be expected to know what to do. Here is what the NHS says to look for and what care to expect.

What counts as premature?

The NHS says premature labour is labour that happens before the 37th week of pregnancy, and about 8 out of 100 babies are born prematurely.

Signs to call about

If you’re under 37 weeks, call your midwife or maternity unit if you notice:

regular contractions or tightenings, or period-type pains
a gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina, which could mean your waters have broken
unusual backache
new pressure in your vagina or pelvis

Don’t wait to see if it settles. If your waters have broken and you’re sent home, call straight away for a raised temperature, greenish or smelly fluid, bleeding, tummy or back pain, contractions or a change in your baby’s movements.

When to get help

The NHS says to call your midwife or maternity unit for guidance if you think you’re in labour, or if your contractions are coming every 5 minutes or more often. Call them straight away, day or night, if:

your waters break
you have vaginal bleeding
your baby is moving less than usual
you’re under 37 weeks and think you may be in labour
a contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes
you have 6 or more contractions in 10 minutes

If you can’t reach your midwife or maternity unit, call NHS 111 (where available). If you’re in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, use the number on your maternity notes first. Call 999 if you think your baby is coming now and you have a strong urge to push.

Treatments that may be offered

Steroid injections to help your baby’s lungs, which you may be offered if premature labour is planned or unplanned or your waters have broken early. The NHS says they may not be offered after 36 weeks, as the lungs are then likely ready.
Magnesium sulphate through a drip, which the NHS says is offered if you are in premature labour at 24 to 29 weeks (and may be offered at 30 to 33 weeks), to help protect your baby’s brain.
Antibiotics if your waters have broken early, along with tests for infection.
Medicine to slow or stop labour may be offered, though it isn’t suitable for everyone.
Preventive treatment before 24 weeks if you’re at higher risk, such as a vaginal progesterone tablet or a cervical stitch. A vaginal scan at 16 to 24 weeks may be offered, and a cervix shorter than 25mm is linked to a higher risk.

Neonatal care

Babies born very early need care in a neonatal unit. Bliss says over 90,000 babies in the UK each year are born premature or sick and need neonatal care. The NHS says not all hospitals offer this care, so you or your baby may need to be transferred. The maternity team will try to give you time with your baby before a separation, though this isn’t always possible.

Bliss, the charity for babies born premature or sick, offers emotional and practical support for parents, including a video call service and guidance on neonatal care leave and pay. Ask your team about local support too.

The outlook

The NHS says survival is possible from around 24 weeks. Early birth can cause health and development problems, and the earlier the birth, the more support your baby may need. Your neonatal team can talk through what this means for your baby.

Questions people ask

Can premature labour be stopped?

Sometimes. The NHS says medicine to slow or stop labour may be offered, but it isn’t right in every case.

What are steroids for?

The NHS says steroid injections may be offered to help your baby’s lungs.

Can I have skin-to-skin with a premature baby?

The NHS says the team will help you gently touch your baby until they’re well enough for skin-to-skin.

Where can I get support?

Bliss supports parents of premature and sick babies. Ask your unit about local support too.