NHS Suffolk and North East Essex - Labour and Birth Booklet

16 If you have triplets or more, planned caesarean birth would be recommended for you as the safest way to deliver your babies. For more information visit: • NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/giving-birth-to-twins/ • The Multiple Birth Foundation www.multiplebirths.org.uk/ • Twin and Multiple Births Association www.tamba.org.uk Premature labour and birth A baby that is born before 37 weeks gestation is considered to be ‘premature’ or ‘preterm’.There are different categories of prematurity; • extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks) • very preterm (between 28 and 32 weeks) • moderate to late preterm (between 32 and 37 weeks). In the UK, roughly one in every 13 babies will be born prematurely. Call your midwife or maternity unit if you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and you have: • regular period type pains or contractions • constant abdominal pain • a “show” – the mucous plug that sits inside the cervix during pregnancy. This can be clear or blood stained • fresh red bleeding from the vagina • a gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina – this could be your waters breaking • backache that’s not usual for you, or pressure in the vagina or rectum.