How many months constitute a premature birth?
Mar 01, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
Generally, a birth before 37 weeks of gestation is considered premature, meaning delivery occurs between the seventh month and the end of the eighth month of pregnancy. Premature infants have not had sufficient time to develop in the womb, so their organs are still immature and they are prone to complications such as irregular breathing, apnea, hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Most cases of preterm birth are due to a low-lying placenta or placenta previa.
In general, delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered preterm birth, which means giving birth between the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy. A detailed explanation is as follows:
Typically, a pregnancy reaching 37 weeks is regarded as full-term; any birth occurring prior to this is classified as preterm. Premature infants have not had sufficient time to fully develop in the womb, so they tend to have low body weight and immature organs such as the lungs, heart, and nervous system. This makes them prone to irregular breathing, apnea, hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and other complications. Additionally, premature babies have weaker immune systems and lower resistance, making survival more difficult. They often require care in incubators.
Most cases of preterm birth are caused by a low-lying placenta or placenta previa. If prenatal examinations reveal a low placental position, pregnant women should pay extra attention in daily life—avoiding overexertion and strenuous physical activity. If diagnosed with placenta previa, there is a high risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, pregnant women must attend regular prenatal check-ups, closely monitor their health, and ensure adequate nutritional intake throughout pregnancy.
