Preterm birth rate rose 12% since 2014, the CDC reports. A doctor shares what to know.

Preterm and early-term births in the U.S. have increased from 2014 to 2022, raising risks to babies, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data released Wednesday from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics shows the preterm birth rate — meaning delivery before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy — rose 12% during that time period, while early-term birth rates, at 37 to 38 completed weeks, rose 20%. 

This is compared to full-term births, which are those delivered at 39 to 40 weeks.