Causes Behind Premature Births

Studies show each year 15 million babies are born premature. Health experts say 40 weeks is considered a full term pregnancy, but nearly 10 percent of newborns arrive early.

Sheri Campbell, a nurse practitioner with Golisano Children’s Hospital, says if the baby is born before 37 weeks, it’s considered a premature birth. The baby is brought to the neonatal intensive care unit. “One of the most common reasons for mothers to have pre-term labor is a urinary tract infection. We can’t control that. Sometimes people get those and it can cause premature contractions.”

Campbell says there are many things that could cause a mother to deliver the baby early, like infection, problems with placenta, or high blood pressure. “A good many of the babies in the newborn intensive care required emergency C-section deliveries and that’s because either the baby is in fetal distress or the mother’s blood pressure is dangerously high, things like that.”

While some factors that can cause premature births can’t be prevented, like genetics or a weak uterus, Campbell says other factors, like smoking, drinking or taking drugs while pregnant can be prevented.

Mothers who have had one premature birth are at a greater risk for having another baby premature. Campbell says premature babies typically stay in the NICU until their original due date. During that time, health experts monitor the baby’s progress.

“Most of them are free of disabilities and go on to live a happy, healthy life, but certainly we are particular here and we want everyone to have every advantage,” said Campbell.

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

[breannaccarter]

Me and my twin sister were born at 6 months old . 1 lb and 2 lbs and stayed in the nicu for 6 months . Now I’m 28 with my first pregnancy and hopefully my baby girl will go a full term pregnancy ❤️

[Sami-tsfl]

my son was born 28 weeks and he was 1.15oz..he stayed in the hospital 4 months but now he's 3 years old and doing great...❤

[chineruyo]

My mom gave birth to me when I was 6 months and 22 days. I remember her telling me that they had to play the radio for me so my heart could beat by following the music. Thank God I survived given the fact that I'm born in a 3rd world country with a not so advanced technology.

[abdulsalimmaringan]

My little niece born during the 7 months of pregnancy of my older sister. Alhamdulillah she grew up well

[mennehgambia]

I was born 5months n 2weeks, couldnt breathe by myself, couldn't see, and didnt have enough energy to scream when I was hungry/hurt. That was 19 years ago

[anchanakrishnangp]

I was born at 7.5 months thank god you did a great job to my parents as I am their only daughter it has become almost 20 years now

[kimberleylingsvlogs]

My daughter lilly was born at 33 weeks. I'm told I had an infection that's why my daughter was born early. She was in baby special unit for 2 weeks and now she's home and gaining weight too.

[bhavikapatel]

I delivered my baby girl September 3 2020 ..she born in 26 week 4 day ..right now she is in NICU ...i worried..but i read all positive comments i gonn be storng and more positive...thank u all..❤

[kyoza]

My brother was born at 29 weeks old his name is Dylan and he was born on May 8th 2015. Now it is almost his birthday and he is turning 4 years old. He is a brat..


I have a younger brother that was born 14 months after Dylan. He was born at 38 weeks. He had to stay in the hospital for about 2 days. Jasper is 2 years old turning 3 in August.

[PatchworkRose]

I was born prematurely. My ear tubes are small and I had heart problems shortly after being born. Almost 16 years later and I'm healthy and able to hear and everything else just like any other person

[maggiedevery]

I was born 3 months early back in 1966. Was 3lbs.2 oz. And 14 " long. Am now 5'9'.... and weight proportionate.

[josselynnajarro]

BS.... I was born premature... I'm a twin. Born in a 3rd world country. All i could say thank the Lord he gave me life. My mother did all she could of done for a healthy pregnancy.

[fajeralsalem]

My mom gave birth to me at 21 weeks and I'm not healthy I have bad health but I'm still grateful I'm alive today and the doctors said to my mom that they are coming back in an hour to my mums room and when they see me I will be dead but I'm alive I'm still thinking about my health 😳😱😰🤯😩😨😧😦😭😢😞😖😟☹😕😔😓😫😒😥😣 I'm in bad conditions and I'm premeture I stayed in hospital for 8 straight months

[anavrin]

Currently dilated 4cm at 24 weeks, water Broke last night, I keep leaking, just waiting for body to either have major contractions or have an infection to deliver 🥺 keeping my hope high he and I come out of this healthy

[alzarqawi]

I'm almost 17 and I kinda have "small" problems with heart. I get heart beats like, I can see my chest like: blop....blop...blop... and it was quite scary... Every time I get shy, or whatever, my heart starts like a thunder's speed to beat, and sometimes when I don't have air or when I'm not ready, If I don't realize that my heart is going to beat insanely powerful, I get even chest pain and it's horrible, imagine your heart starting filling up with air and explode... When I stand still in front of a scene or a public that looks at me, I'm trying to breath more faster, do some hand movements, because I'm shaking kinda hard like almost Parkinson, and my chest is like a bass booster :| The only thing that I'm afraid, not getting a heart attack by beating too hard or too fast, but I'm trying to avoid it by always taking care of my pulse. I can know my pulse wherever, whenever I want because I feel it everywhere on body, in fingers, in toes, biceps, wherever, and any activity that I'm doing, when I feel a little bit of discomfort in my chest, Instantly I remember my heart and trying to calm down, do more spiritual "rituals", not bad, not good, but need to be careful.

[manuiataufa]

I have 2 sons both gave birth 39 weeks on each 6.05 oz and 7.15 oz both are very healthy.

[lhamchonzom]

My mother gave birth to me in 7th month of me. She said that I was not taking breath at the time. Some how the doctor made me live . Now I am 23 years old, Thank to the nurse auntie and Doctors and my mumma, who didn't give up on me Thanks to God, who made me live..stronger.

[areebasyed]

My grandad was born premature and he has breathing and stuttering problems. I also got breathing problems after I was born!!!

[stJohn.-]

If a baby is delivered at 25 weeks, how long will he need to stay in NICU?

[shacoyalee]

I had my baby last year at 35 weeks and she was 4 pounds and she didn’t have to go to nicu. But when we got discharged three days later she dropped a pound leaving at 3 pounds. we went home together.