OBJECTIVES: The ratio for premature births in Hungary is higher compared to other members of the EU. The main objective of the study is to reveal some aspects of multifactorial background factors underlying premature birth, investigate the mental state of mothers before and after delivery and the analysis of the demand for support from the health visitor. METHODS: The target group was comprised of mothers with premature infants born in the last four years (n=150). Convenience sampling was done within the target group. Self-edited and reported, anonymous questionnaires were distributed in February 2015. District health visitors collected 34 paper based questionnaires, 116 of them were received on Internet. SPSS v 13, descriptive statistics, Chi square and Fisher’s Exact test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Planned pregnancy had a beneficial effect (p<0.01), while poor financial situation negatively affected smoking during pregnancy (p=0.034). Gynaecological problems during pregnancy had a negative effect on the gestational weeks (p=0.035). Following premature childbirth, the mental trauma level of the mother belonging to Gypsy nationality showed a lower value (p<0.01) than those who were not members of this nationality. At the end of pregnancy, gestational weeks and the values for maternal stress moved oppositely (p=0.002). The gestational weeks determined the type of support from the health visitor (p=0.004). The younger the mother was at childbirth, the more she claimed for support. At the same time, with the progression of the gestational weeks an increased need for infant care emerged. CONCLUSIONS: The work of health visitors in the prevention of premature birth should be supported, drawing attention on the proper lifestyle during pregnancy and the high ratio in disease risk of premature infants. It would be a relevant task to provide mental support for mothers, prevent and intervene crises.