Around 4,500 babies are born prematurely in Ireland every year and this can be a frightening and worrying experience for all those concerned.

According to the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA), with one in every 10 babies born prematurely worldwide, the risk of giving birth early is probably higher than many people imagine.

It has produced a new guide to help all mothers and fathers to be as prepared as possible in the event that their baby is born prematurely. The guide, 10 things to know about the 1 in 10, provides information from the pre-conception stage right through to caring for a premature baby.

It includes information on how to be your baby's voice, the importance of your baby's milestones, and the importance of self-care and not blaming yourself for your baby's premature birth.

"The INHA is here to support families affected by prematurity, and a part of that is educating and empowering families by encouraging them to be actively involved in the care of their baby from the very start in the neonatal unit. We hope that our 10 things guide will be a helpful start for those who wish to educate themselves, and that our website will be a source of further information for parents who will go on this journey," commented Mandy Daly of the INHA.

Mother of two, Grainne Foley, from Midleton in Cork, advises parents-to-be to inform themselves about prematurity as much as possible.

"My second pregnancy was all very normal and routine up until the 28-week scan when a problem was detected. John, now three years old, was born the following week and we were thrust into the scary situation that is a premature birth.

"For any parents who find themselves in this scenario my advice would be to ask a lot of questions. Trust yourself and trust your instincts. If you are worried about something ask the question and find out the answer," she said.

The INHA is highlighting this issue ahead of World Prematurity Day (November 17). As part of this, it is also focusing on the vital role of family-centred and developmentally supportive care when it comes to looking after premature babies and their families.

"Family-centred care not only assesses the needs of the premature baby but also assesses the family's needs, aiming to provide a nurturing environment where the child is part of his/her family. Family-centered and developmentally supportive care are now recognised as best practice and an essential attribute of high-quality neonatal and family care," explained Dr John Murphy, a consultant neonatologist at the National Materity Hospital, Holles Street.

To mark World Prematurity Day, a number of buildings are set to ‘go purple', including the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, Liberty Hall and Dundrum Town Centre - all in Dublin - and Blackrock Castle in Cork.

The guide, which is supported by AbbVie, is available on the INHA's website here