How is preterm birth defined?

Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
Updated on February 25, 2025
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Premature birth means that the gestational period is not yet complete, and the baby is born before reaching full term, which is called preterm birth. Specifically, this ranges from more than 28 weeks but less than 37 weeks of gestation. Due to the incomplete development of premature infants, their organ functions are relatively poor. Therefore, caring for premature infants can be more challenging, often requiring pediatric care and enhanced nursing. Moreover, there are more complications, so it is important to try to prevent premature births as much as possible.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature birth is what it means.

Preterm birth refers to giving birth before full-term pregnancy, defined as delivery occurring between 28 and 36 weeks plus 6 days of gestation. Corresponding conditions are miscarriage and full-term delivery: before 28 weeks is termed a miscarriage, while delivery after 37 weeks is termed full-term birth. Because preterm infants already possess certain vital functions, most can survive with appropriate emergency intervention and treatment. However, the risks associated with preterm birth are relatively high and depend on the specific causes of prematurity. Some premature births are due to premature rupture of membranes, while others are medically induced, for example in cases of abruptio placentae or severe preeclampsia. Therefore, it is crucial in clinical practice to provide rational treatment for preterm labor, aiming to extend the duration of pregnancy as much as possible to avoid neonatal death.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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How to induce lactation in premature births

The lactation induction for premature births is actually the same as for full-term births. First and foremost, it starts with the individual. Through diet, the amount of breast milk can be increased, for example, by consuming more soups, such as rice porridge, noodle soup, milk, and soy milk. Since 90% of breast milk is water, replenishing water is essential for sufficient milk supply. Additionally, it is important to keep a pleasant mood. The mother should be happy and have enough sleep, as these factors can help increase milk production. Moreover, it is important to let the baby nurse more frequently and intensively, because the act of breastfeeding stimulates the breasts as a reflex. The more frequently and the more the baby nurses, the more milk is produced through this reflex. What should one do if the baby is premature and in pediatrics? In such cases, it's necessary to pump milk every 3 hours. Pumping itself also creates stimulation that promotes milk secretion.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What are the signs of premature birth?

Under normal circumstances, during preterm labor, there may first be regular uterine contractions accompanied by continuous cervical dilation. This situation should be considered a possible onset of preterm labor. Generally, the period from after 28 weeks to before 37 weeks of gestation is considered the possible range for preterm labor to occur. Therefore, if there are symptoms like regular abdominal pain, backache, or a feeling of heaviness, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly. When needed, local physical therapy, symptomatic treatment, or administration of medications to sustain the pregnancy can effectively alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Preterm birth refers to how many weeks?

Premature birth refers to a baby born after the pregnancy has reached 28 weeks but before completing 37 weeks. Most of these babies weigh less than 2500 grams at birth and have poorer adaptive abilities compared to full-term babies. They require special care. Feeding premature infants can be challenging. They generally need to be fed breast milk or formula every two to four hours. Start by feeding once or twice; if there is no vomiting for six to eight hours, continue feeding some milk. Also, position the baby's head to one side to prevent inhalation of vomit.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What are the signs of premature birth?

Preterm birth refers to delivery occurring between the 28th and 36th week +6 days of pregnancy. Firstly, it is advised to prioritize prevention and identify the symptoms of preterm labor as early as possible to allow for early treatment. Signs of preterm labor include the following aspects: First, the occurrence of regular contractions, such as 4 contractions within 20 minutes or 8 contractions within 60 minutes, with each contraction lasting more than a minute; second, the appearance of a small amount of bloody show, which is a sign of imminent labor; third, many times pregnant women will experience a significant feeling of heaviness. Upon examination, cervical dilation and a shortening of the cervical canal may be found. When these symptoms appear, it is important to rest in bed promptly and undergo treatment with medications.