Title: Premature labour and birth - BabyCenter Australia
Headings: Premature labour and birth
Premature labour and birth
In this article
What does premature birth mean?
How common is premature birth?
Why does premature birth happen?
Why might my baby need to be born early?
What should I do if I go into premature labour?
What will happen at the hospital?
What if my labour really has started?
What will happen when my baby is born?
Where can I get more information on premature labour and birth?
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Content: (Haas 2011, Romero et al 2014)
The timing of your pregnancy and other lifestyle factors have also been linked with an increased risk of premature birth. You're at increased risk if you: have a short gap between pregnancies
(Shacher and Lyell 2012)
have a lack of emotional and financial support during your pregnancy
(Haas 2011)
smoke
(Been et al 2014, Flood and Malone 2012)
or take drugs, particularly cocaine
(Gouin et al 2011)
are underweight
(Dekker et al 2012, Han et al 2011)
or very overweight
(Jeyabalan 2013, Torloni et al 2009a, b)
are pregnant as a result of IVF
(RCOG 2012a)
Why might my baby need to be born early? Your baby may need to be born early for medical reasons. If this is the case, your labour may need to be induced, or you may need an early caesarean section. Nearly three quarters of premature births happen this way
(AIHW 2016b)
. Doctors may advise that your baby needs to be born early if he: isn't growing as well as he should be
has an abnormality
Or if you have: a complication, such as pre-eclampsia or diabetes
a medical condition that means it's safer for your baby to be born early
(Haas 2011, Romero et al 2014)
suffered a trauma to your abdomen
Remember that having one or more of these factors doesn't mean your baby will definitely be born prematurely. It just increases the chances of it happening.