A premature baby is the term for any baby who is born between 20 and 37 weeks gestation. This translates as a baby born between 20 and 3 weeks earlier than a full term pregnancy of 40 weeks gestation.

The information provided here is current at April, 2008. With ongoing research and medical advances occuring some details may change. 

LMK recommends you seek professional advice for any pregnancy, childbirth or medical concerns and use the following information pages as a general guide only.

Hospitals can be extremly daunting at first, so we have collated a 'beginner's guide' for you in this section. Family and friends are an important part of the premmie journey and can help in many ways. We encourage you to show them our advice page for some ideas on getting involved.

Sadly some babies do not survive their premature birth. Please look at the neonatal loss page for support at this difficult time.