How early can a baby be born and live?
There's no set timeline for survival among babies born early. A premature baby is one who arrives before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Premature babies, often called “preemies,” have less time to develop in the womb than babies who arrive on time. This puts them at greater risk of medical and developmental problems. Every extra day in the womb helps the baby develop and mature, and will probably improve his or her health and development later in life. Between 23 and 26 weeks, every extra day in the womb increases a baby's chance of survival by 2-4 percent.
About 9 out of 10 babies born at only 28 weeks survive. But many of them have serious health problems.
Babies born earlier than 23 weeks have a much smaller chance of survival. They simply haven't developed enough to survive on their own.
A full-term birth is best for the baby. To learn more about how the March of Dimes is fighting prematurity, visit our Prematurity Campaign Web site.
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