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Your baby will probably be fine if he or she is born after 32 weeks. But babies born before 32 weeks often have problems breathing. They need special care. In general, the longer your baby stays in your uterus, the better. Ideally your baby should spend at least 37 weeks in your uterus.

Babies born after 32 weeks generally do well. They are usually small and may need to stay in the hospital a little longer than other babies. But in the long run they do as well as babies born on or near their due date.

Babies born before 32 weeks may be very small and are not properly developed.¹ They may need special care, usually in an incubator. Most babies born this early have lungs that are not fully developed and are not yet ready to breathe air. They need help with breathing, and some babies need a life support machine to breathe for them. There is also a risk that premature babies will have some brain damage.

Babies born before 26 weeks are very underdeveloped. Babies born this early often struggle to survive.²

Serious health problems become less likely the longer your baby stays in the uterus. So, if it's safe, doctors may try to delay your delivery. This gives your baby more time to grow. It also gives doctors more time to give you treatments. For example, you may be given steroid shots. These can help to speed up the development of your baby's lungs.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.