The length of a human pregnancy is measured in weeks. A birth between 37 and 40 weeks is considered full-term, and births occurring at less than 37 weeks are deemed premature. A baby’s body continues developing throughout the entire pregnancy, and premature birth can result in multiple health issues due to underdeveloped organs and systems. Physicians may be able to delay a birth to give the baby more time in the womb.
What if my doctor did nothing to prevent premature birth? What kinds of health issues do premature babies experience? A knowledgeable Chicago, IL birth injury lawyer from Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can assess your situation and help you explore your legal options.
Preterm Birth Rates and Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10.4 percent of babies born in the U.S. in 2022 were premature, representing a 1 percent decrease from 2021. The instances of Black women experiencing premature birth in 2022 were around 50 percent higher than Hispanic or White women: