Word: Premature Baby
Definition:
A "premature baby" is a noun that refers to a baby who is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Normally, a full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Premature babies may need special care because they are not fully developed when they are born.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "premature baby" to talk about babies who are born early. It is often used in medical contexts or when discussing health issues related to childbirth.
Example Sentence:
"The doctor said that the premature baby would need to stay in the hospital for a few weeks to gain weight and grow stronger."
Advanced Usage:
In medical discussions, you might hear terms like "preterm birth" or "neonatal care," which relate to premature babies. For example, "The neonatal unit specializes in caring for premature babies."
Word Variants:
- Prematurity (noun): The state of being premature.
Example: "Prematurity can lead to various health challenges for the baby."
- Prematurely (adverb): In a way that happens too soon.
Example: "He was born prematurely, which is why he is smaller than other babies."
Different Meaning:
While "premature" generally means happening too soon or too early, it can also refer to something that is not fully prepared or developed in other contexts. For example, "premature conclusions" means conclusions that are drawn without enough evidence.
Synonyms:
- Preterm baby - Early baby - Untimely infant
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically for "premature baby," you might use phrases like "born too soon" or "arrived early" to convey a similar meaning.
Example of Idiomatic Usage:
"She was worried because her baby was born too soon, but the doctors assured her that they would take good care of him."
Understanding the term "premature baby" helps in conversations about childbirth, healthcare, and parenting.