Many complications can occur during childbirth, one being premature birth. A premature birth is a birth before 37 weeks of development. Every year, more than 543,000 babies are born prematurely (Science Daily, 02/2010). Although there are many possible causes and complications of premature birth, there are also preventative measures that can reduce the risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preterm birth has several known risk factors or causes; However, even if these known risk factors are not present, a woman can still have a premature baby. Some of these risk factors for prematurity include: carrying more than one baby, having previously given birth prematurely, problems with the cervix or uterus, chronic health problems in the mother, certain infections during pregnancy, alcohol consumption or smoking. When a woman has chronic health conditions (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or bleeding disorders), the baby is also physically affected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009). Along with these chronic health issues, a woman must consider her environment and how it becomes the baby's environment as well. If a woman smokes or drinks alcohol, the baby receives all the toxins that are fatal to the developing fetus and have no nutritional quality. Complications can occur even in a full-term newborn. However, the risks of complications increase and are likely to be more serious the earlier the baby is born. Premature complications that can occur include: breathing and breathing problems, feeding and digestive problems, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and vision and hearing loss, to name a few ([CDC], 200...... middle of article .....s. Most women are lucky and have a healthy, full-term baby. However, some women are not so lucky. and give birth prematurely That said, all women, when considering pregnancy, should be aware of all the possible risks and complications that can arise as well as the preventive measures that can be taken Works CitedPetraglia, F., Strauss, JF. (III), Gabbe, SG and Weiss, G. (2007): mechanisms, mediators, prediction, prevention and interventions United Kingdom: London. Prematurity (2009) Accessed July 10, 2010 from the Centers for Disease website. Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/. Features/prematurebirth/Prevention is a key research goal for premature babies, scientists say (2010, accessed July 10, 2010 at http://ww.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100210172220.htm).