Understanding Premature Birth
Premature birth, also known as preterm birth, is defined as the birth of an infant before 37 weeks of gestation have been completed. A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, so premature babies are born ahead of schedule, often resulting in various health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, and this figure has been rising. Premature birth can arise from several factors, including maternal health issues, multiple pregnancies, infections, and stress. Each of these elements can complicate the gestation period, leading to early labor.
