Preterm Labor
Labor beginning before 37 weeks of pregnancy, risking premature birth.
Affects: 10% of pregnancies deliver before 37 weeks
Overview
Preterm labor is labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born prematurely may face health challenges as their organs aren't fully developed. The earlier the birth, the higher the risks.
Not all preterm labor results in preterm birth - it can sometimes be stopped with medications called tocolytics. Women at risk may receive medications to help baby's lungs mature in case early delivery is necessary.
Early detection and treatment of preterm labor can delay delivery, giving baby more time to develop. Even a few extra days in the womb can make a significant difference in outcomes.
🩺 Symptoms
- •Regular contractions (more than 4 in an hour)
- •Menstrual-like cramping
- •Pelvic pressure (baby pushing down)
- •Low, dull backache
- •Change in vaginal discharge (watery, mucus, or bloody)
- •Abdominal cramping with or without diarrhea
- •Water breaking (gush or trickle)
- •Feeling that "something isn't right"
🔍 Causes
- →Often unknown
- →Infection (UTI, kidney infection, vaginal infection)
- →Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
- →Uterine abnormalities
- →Cervical insufficiency
- →Placental problems
- →Too much amniotic fluid
- →Physical stress or trauma
- →Chronic conditions
⚠️ Risk Factors
- •Previous preterm birth (highest risk factor)
- •Short cervix (less than 25mm before 24 weeks)
- •Multiple pregnancy
- •Uterine or cervical abnormalities
- •Certain infections
- •Chronic conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure)
- •Maternal age under 17 or over 35
- •African American ethnicity
- •Short interval between pregnancies (less than 6 months)
- •Low or high BMI
- •Smoking, alcohol, drugs
- •High stress
- •History of multiple abortions or miscarriages
- •Bleeding in second or third trimester
🔬 Diagnosis
- →Regular contractions documented
- →Cervical exam showing dilation or effacement
- →Cervical length ultrasound
- →Fetal fibronectin test (if negative, very unlikely to deliver in next 2 weeks)
- →Monitoring of contractions and baby's heart rate
- →Checking for infections
💊 Treatment
- ✓Bed rest or reduced activity
- ✓Hydration (dehydration can cause contractions)
- ✓Tocolytics (medications to slow/stop contractions)
- ✓Corticosteroids for baby's lung development
- ✓Magnesium sulfate for baby's brain protection
- ✓Progesterone supplementation if short cervix
- ✓Cerclage (cervical stitch) if cervical insufficiency
- ✓Antibiotics if infection present
- ✓Hospitalization for monitoring
- ✓May transfer to hospital with NICU
🛡️ Prevention
- →Weekly progesterone shots if previous preterm birth
- →Cerclage if cervical insufficiency
- →Treating infections promptly
- →Prenatal care starting early
- →Healthy diet and prenatal vitamins
- →Avoid smoking, alcohol, drugs
- →Manage chronic conditions
- →Space pregnancies at least 18 months apart
- →Manage stress
- →Maintain healthy weight
- →Monitor cervical length if high risk
⚠️ Potential Complications
- !Premature birth before organs fully developed
- !Respiratory distress syndrome
- !Brain hemorrhage
- !Temperature regulation problems
- !Feeding difficulties
- !Jaundice
- !Infections
- !Long-term developmental delays
- !Cerebral palsy
- !Vision and hearing problems
- !Risk increases with earlier delivery
🚨 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- ⚠More than 4 contractions in an hour
- ⚠Regular contractions getting stronger/closer
- ⚠Pelvic pressure or cramping
- ⚠Lower back pain
- ⚠Change in vaginal discharge
- ⚠Water breaking
- ⚠Decreased fetal movement
- ⚠Any symptoms before 37 weeks
- ⚠Don't wait - call immediately
Related Conditions
This information is for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.