The number of premature births has risen significantly and the good news is that survival rates for babies born early have also improved.

Research carried out by Edinburgh University found that the risk of babies dying due to being born prematurely more than halved between 1980 and 2005.

Premature births have risen by 16% since 1980 and it’s thought that high blood pressure and diabetes are the main reasons.

Stillbirth associated with early birth also fell by 10%.

Edinburgh University analysed data relating to almost 90,000 births in Scotland between 1980 and 2005. Researchers hope that a greater understanding of the causes behind premature births will help develop better treatment for mums-to-be.