Mississippi exceeds the national average in premature births.

• A baby's birth is considered premature when it occurs 3 weeks early or sooner.
• Last year about 500,000 mothers in the United States delivered premature babies — about 12% of all deliveries.
• Mississippi's rate of premature births is about 18% — over 7,000 a year.

  Premature birth can cause disabilities or death in newborns.

• Premature birth is the leading cause of deaths of newborns in the first month of life.
• Nearly 2,000 newborns die each year in Mississippi following premature birth.
• Premature birth is also a major cause of lifelong disabilities, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, blindness and chronic lung problems.

  Survival rates are improving.

• 75 percent of premature babies born at least 25 weeks old survive, but have long-term complications that are very costly.
• Initial hospital costs for a baby born prematurely are about $58,000, compared to $1,300 for babies carried for their full 40 weeks.

  Some women are more likely to give birth prematurely.

• The greatest risk factor for premature birth is having given birth to a baby prematurely before.
• Carrying more than one baby raises your risk for premature birth.
• Certain sexually-transmitted diseases can increase your risk as well.
• African-American women, and women over 40 or under 15 have a higher rate of premature delivery.

  Premature births cannot be predicted.

• Premature birth can happen without warning and for no known reason. Any mother can be affected.
• Early prenatal care and adequate spacing between pregnancies are both important.
• Talk to your doctor or health care provider about signs to watch for, and steps you can take to help avoid early delivery.