Premature births

There are many reasons why babies are born prematurely. The most common is when labor happens too early for some reason. It may be caused by contractions starting for no obvious reason or due to the mother’s water breaking, which may initiate childbirth. Premature birth is more common when the mother is carrying twins or triplets. It may also be caused by complications such as preeclampsia in the mother, in which case doctors decide to deliver the baby early.

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Babies born in week 35 or 36 are most commonly cared for in standard maternity wards and are often discharged from the hospital just a few days after birth. However, babies born earlier than week 34 need care in a neonatal intensive care unit, a unit where premature and ill babies receive specialized care. Babies born between week 22+0 and 27+6 are referred to as extremely preterm babies who immediately need some type of intensive care.

According to statistics from The National Board of Health and Welfare (Sw. Socialstyrelsen), about four percent of all babies are born prematurely and weigh under 2.5 kilos (5.5 pounds). 70-80 percent of babies born before week 29 survive and more than 90 percent of babies born between week 29 and 32. 99 percent of babies born between weeks 33 and 37 survive.

Being a parent of a premature baby can be a highly stressful experience, but support is available. Premature babies are monitored in neonatal intensive care units and they get emergency care when needed while parents are supported so they can be close to their baby. The care of premature babies is modified according to the baby’s needs and the parents take part in the care and nurture of their baby.