Title: Premature birth - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Headings: Premature birth
Premature birth
Overview
Products & Services
Symptoms
Special care
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Risk factors
Complications
Short-term complications
Long-term complications
More Information
Prevention
The Mayo Clinic experience and patient stories
Telemedicine Helps Provide the Right Care at the Right Time During Unexpected Delivery
Thankful for the Gift of Motherhood After a Long and Trying Journey
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Premature birth

Content: Your baby may need extra help feeding, and adapting immediately after delivery. Your health care team can help you understand what is needed and what your baby's care plan will be. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Risk factors
Often, the specific cause of premature birth isn't clear. However, there are known risk factors of premature delivery, including: Having a previous premature birth
Pregnancy with twins, triplets or other multiples
An interval of less than six months between pregnancies
Conceiving through in vitro fertilization
Problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta
Smoking cigarettes or using illicit drugs
Some infections, particularly of the amniotic fluid and lower genital tract
Some chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy
Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one or domestic violence
Multiple miscarriages or abortions
Physical injury or trauma
For unknown reasons, black women are more likely to experience premature birth than are women of other races. But premature birth can happen to anyone. In fact, many women who have a premature birth have no known risk factors. Complications
While not all premature babies experience complications, being born too early can cause short-term and long-term health problems. Generally, the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. Birth weight plays an important role, too.