Very preterm birth

A baby is preterm if born before 37 completed weeks; very preterm often means before 32 weeks, and extremely preterm means before 28 weeks. Regular contractions, pressure, bleeding or leaking amniotic fluid before full term requires immediate contact with the maternity team, because prompt treatment and transfer if needed can improve the baby's chances.

• Regular or increasingly painful contractions, period-like cramps or the abdomen tightening in a recurring pattern.
• Pressure low in the pelvis or vagina, a feeling that the baby is pushing down or new persistent lower back pain.
• For possible contractions, fluid leakage or bleeding before 37 weeks, call the maternity team immediately rather than waiting hours at home first.
• Use a pad to show the colour and amount of fluid, but insert nothing into the vagina if the waters may have broken.
• Before 37 weeks, call the midwife or maternity ward immediately for regular cramps, pressure, back pain, bleeding or possible amniotic fluid leakage.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.
• Heavy bleeding, a seizure, collapse, severe breathlessness or being unrousable during pregnancy indicates an immediate threat to life.