As Love Island's Malin Andersson reveals her heartbreak at month-old daughter's death, why are some babies born prematurely?

Love Island star Malin Andersson has opened up about losing her newborn daughter at just a month old.

The baby girl, which the reality TV star named Consy, was born seven weeks prematurely in January.

She weighed just 5lbs and needed resuscitating straight after birth.

Just a few weeks later her mum revealed in an Instagram post that she had lost her first child after the little girl picked up a virus she was too weak to fight off.

Alongside a picture of Consy in hospital with tubes being fed into her body, she wrote: “My angel. Rest in peace.”

The 26-year-old has bravely spoken about the heartbreak experience in a new interview released today, and revealed that her newborn’s death had caused her to contemplate suicide.

“It was a few days after she died when it sunk in and I didn’t leave my bed, racking my brain to come up with reasons why I should carry on living,” she told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine.

“My mind was going crazy, but I just had to use every bit of strength I had left. I knew I didn’t want to waste Consy’s precious life.”

READ MORE: Malin Andersson marks first Mother’s Day since death of baby daughter

What is a premature birth?

A baby is ‘premature’ or ‘preterm’ if they are born before 37 weeks, according to charity Tommy’s.

Each year in the UK an estimated 60,000 babies – or around seven to eight per cent of newborns – are born early.

Malin’s baby was ‘very preterm’ because she was born between 28 and 32 weeks.

Those who arrive before 28 weeks are classed as ‘extremely pre-term’, while those who are delivered after 32 weeks are considered ‘moderate to late preterm’.

If a baby is born early, they may not be fully developed and therefore may require extra care.

READ MORE: Malin Andersson creates self-help app after daughter’s death

What are the symptoms of a premature birth?

If you are pregnant, there are certain signs that could indicate you are about to go into labour early.

According to Tommy’s, these are…

• An increase in pelvic pressure within the vagina or rectum.

• An increase in discharge and/or a gush/repeat trickling of fluid, which could mean your waters have broken (preterm premature rupture of membranes).

• Bleeding or losing your mucus plug.

• Period type pains in your abdomen or lower back. These may have a rhythm or be constant.

READ MORE: These are seven things you should know about having a premature baby

Why are some babies born early?

The reason for a premature birth is often unknown or unclear, say Tommy’s.

However, doctors do know that having an infection or cervical incompetence – a medical condition where the cervix begins to widen and thin – can increase the risk.

Carrying twins, triplets or more can also increase the likelihood of going into labour early.

A quarter of pre-term births are planned because doctors have identified that the mother or baby is suffering a life-threatening condition such as pre-eclampsia, kidney disease or growth restriction.

READ MORE: This is the heart-warming moment identical twins meet after a month apart

Will a premature baby survive?

Medical advances mean that many pre-term babies will now survive, according to Tommy’s.

But whether a baby will make it through depends on the point at which they were born – and complications that come from a premature birth are the leading cause of neonatal death in the UK.

These are the chances of survival for a pre-term birth depending on the point at which a baby is born…

• Less than 22 weeks is close to zero chance of survival

• 22 weeks is around 10%

• 24 weeks is around 60%

• 27 weeks is around 89%

• 31 weeks is around 95%

• 34 weeks is equivalent to a baby born at full term.

For more information or advice on premature births visit tommys.org

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