Tommy's PregnancyHub
Your premature baby's time in hospital
If your baby is born prematurely, she may need to spend some time in hospital.
While your baby is in hospital – whether the stay lasts for days, weeks or even months – much of your life is likely to revolve around the baby unit. Precisely how long this goes on for will depend on your baby's gestational age, how developed they are and whether they have health problems.
After the initial shock of seeing your baby in the unit, you will become more familiar with the hospital environment, and will gradually understand how the baby unit works.
You may continue to feel very upset and anxious about your baby, but over time you will gradually adapt to your new circumstances and start to focus on developing your own vital role in supporting your baby's care.
Review dates
Last reviewed: 1 July, 2017
Next review: 1 July, 2020
The baby unit
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Transferring your premature baby
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The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
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Caring for your baby: your role
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Your premature baby: tests and immunisations
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What happens just after your premature baby is born
Caring for your baby
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Going home with colostomy or ileostomy
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Support for you and your premature baby at home
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Taking your baby home FAQs
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Taking your premature baby home
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Helping your baby breathe at home
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Caring for your premature baby at home
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Illnesses in a premature baby
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Feeding your premature baby at home
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Protecting your premature baby from infection at home
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Growth and development after prematurity
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Health problems and disability
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Am I in early labour?