What is the earliest gestational week that a premature baby can survive?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Preterm infants, how many weeks can survive, first let's talk about the concept of preterm birth. The concept of preterm birth is more than 28 weeks but less than 37 weeks, this is called premature birth. However, with the improvement of neonatal resuscitation technology, in China, if it’s after 26 weeks, the vast majority of newborns can also survive. But after survival, the cost is quite high. For instance, if it's in a top-tier hospital, the cost for newborns born between 26 and 28 weeks can be around several hundred thousand yuan. So, even after some medical insurance policy reimbursements, you would still have to spend around tens of thousands of yuan on your own.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What should I do if a premature baby has poor gastrointestinal health?

In the process of premature birth, due to the incomplete development of various organs and the nervous system, a series of complications may occur in various systems. If there is currently gastrointestinal discomfort after premature birth, it still needs to be adjusted in many aspects. Firstly, during the feeding process, it is recommended to pay attention to the feeding scale of the formula, and it is also necessary to maintain the cleanliness of bottle feeding. If frequent diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions occur, some probiotics for the intestines can be applied for adjustment, or some antidiarrheal medications can be used for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What does it feel like when the cervix opens prematurely?

Under normal circumstances, if preterm labor is already confirmed and the cervix is fully dilated, it is generally considered inevitable and preparations for the active resuscitation of the newborn should be made. Typically, if the cervix is fully dilated due to preterm labor, regular abdominal pain may first occur along with discomfort in the lower abdomen, indicating strong uterine contractions. After the uterus contracts, this leads to continuous dilation of the cervix until it expands to ten centimeters. Once fully dilated, the next steps in treatment are carried out, closely monitoring the condition of the premature infant after birth and providing symptomatic medication if necessary.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Signs of premature birth

Preterm birth refers to childbirth occurring between 28 and 36 weeks plus six days of pregnancy. The signs of preterm birth include the following aspects. First, regular contractions occur, generally defined as four contractions within 20 minutes or eight contractions within 60 minutes. Second, there may be a small amount of "show," mainly due to minor bleeding caused by the separation of the fetal membrane from the uterine wall. Third, many women experience a significant feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, which is caused by the descent of the fetal head. Fourth, upon examination, it can be found that the cervical canal has shortened and the cervical opening has dilated. When the above symptoms occur, there should be a high suspicion of the risk of preterm birth, and medications should be used promptly as an intervention to try to avoid the occurrence of preterm birth.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Premature birth: Cesarean section or natural delivery?

Whether to opt for cesarean or vaginal delivery for preterm birth needs a comprehensive grasp of the pregnant woman's entire condition before assessing and deciding on the mode of childbirth. First, it's necessary to check if the woman has any complications and the severity of these complications, as well as whether her physical condition allows for vaginal delivery. Additionally, the changes in fetal heart rate must be considered. If the fetal heart rate is particularly poor, and the duration of vaginal delivery is long such that the child cannot endure it, then a cesarean section may be needed. Beyond these conditions, it is also important to evaluate the state of the pelvis, the size of the fetus, and the condition of the cervix. Generally, if vaginal delivery is possible for preterm births, it is still encouraged.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What is the earliest month that premature birth can occur?

Under normal circumstances, the entire childbirth process for a fetus is divided into three stages: early pregnancy, middle pregnancy, and late pregnancy. Generally, fetal development between 28 to 40 weeks is considered a viable period. During this time, if delivery occurs, the baby's chances of survival are very high. However, normally, a fetus between 37 to 40 weeks is considered full-term, so babies born before 37 weeks are referred to as premature. Premature babies need close monitoring of their developmental status after a normal delivery to avoid potential complications.