How many weeks early can a premature baby survive?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Preterm birth refers to births that occur after 28 weeks of pregnancy but before 37 weeks. Preterm infants have lower resistance compared to full-term infants and generally require special care to survive. The survival rate varies with the gestational age: at 32 to 33 weeks, the survival rate can reach 95%; at 28 to 31 weeks, it is between 90% and 95%; at 26 weeks, it is around 80%; and at 27 weeks, it is about 90%. After 34 weeks of pregnancy, the survival rate of the baby is very high, almost the same as that of a full-term baby.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can premature birth be natural delivery?

Whether a vaginal delivery is possible in the case of preterm labor depends on the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus, including the woman's birth canal, labor strength, the size and position of the fetus, among other factors. Generally, during a medical visit, a doctor will measure the woman's pelvis to roughly determine whether vaginal delivery is feasible. Women who experience preterm labor should go to the hospital for timely medical care and choose a hospital equipped for emergency services. If preterm delivery occurs, the baby's respiratory function may be relatively weak, necessitating the use of special equipment to assist breathing.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Can premature birth be natural birth?

First, let's discuss the concept of preterm birth, which is defined as births occurring between less than 37 weeks and more than 28 weeks of gestation. There are many reasons for preterm birth, such as genetic factors, premature rupture of membranes, or complications during pregnancy. If the pelvic size is adequate and the child can tolerate delivery, then vaginal delivery is preferred; however, if the fetus is too small or there are complications during pregnancy such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, or if the mother's health status is not good, it is recommended to opt for a cesarean section to ensure a timely delivery.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How to care for premature infants

The care of premature babies is very important. Since the physical resistance of premature babies is weaker than that of full-term infants, premature babies generally need to be placed in incubators to maintain body temperature. If an incubator is not available, methods such as using a hot water bottle for warmth can be employed, or putting cotton hats on the babies. During feeding, breastfeeding is an option. For very small babies who have poor sucking ability or uncoordinated swallowing functions, or for babies who are ill, the mother can express her milk, which can then be fed to the baby via a tube through the nose. Artificial feeding is also an option.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do if a premature baby spits up milk?

For premature babies who experience spitting up, first pay attention to the feeding position. During feeding, make sure to hold the baby up with their head higher than their buttocks, which facilitates the smooth passage of milk through the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, if the baby vomits, first pick the baby up and gently pat their back to help release some of the residual gas in the stomach, which can reduce spitting up and vomiting. Also, during feeding, be mindful not to feed too much at once; feeding small amounts more frequently can also help prevent spitting up.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Does premature birth hypoxia affect intelligence?

Under normal circumstances, if a preterm infant suffers from hypoxia, severe cases may have an impact on future intelligence. However, if preterm infants experience hypoxia after childbirth, they generally receive oxygen therapy, which also affects their intelligence to some extent. Therefore, in daily life, it is still necessary to strengthen the care of preterm infants, adjust their diet, and after oxygenation, appropriately supplement DHA and other substances that can promote brain development and effectively improve issues such as delayed brain development in infants and toddlers.