Understanding Preterm Labor

Going into labor before your 37th week of pregnancy is called preterm labor. Preterm labor can cause your baby to be born too soon. This can lead to a number of health problems that may affect your baby.

Symptoms of preterm labor

If you believe you are having preterm labor, get medical help right away. Contractions alone don’t mean you’re in preterm labor. Your healthcare provider will evaluate you for changes in your cervix (the lower end of the uterus). Symptoms of preterm labor include:

• Four or more contractions per hour

• Strong contractions

• Constant menstrual-like cramping

• Low-back pain

• Mucous or bloody vaginal discharge

• Bleeding or spotting in the second or third trimester

Evaluating preterm labor

Your healthcare provider will try to find out whether you’re in preterm labor or whether you’re just having contractions. He or she may watch you for a few hours. The following tests may be done:

• Pelvic exam to see if your cervix has effaced (thinned) and dilated (opened)

• Urine test to check for a urinary tract infection

• Uterine activity monitoring to detect contractions

• Fetal monitoring to check the health of your baby

• Ultrasound to check your baby’s size and position

Caring for yourself at home

If you have preterm contractions, but your cervix is still thick and closed, your healthcare provider may ask you to do the following at home:

• Drink plenty of water.

• Do fewer activities.

• Rest in bed on your side.

• Avoid intercourse and nipple stimulation.

If you need hospital care

Preterm labor often requires that you have hospital care and complete bed rest. You may have an IV (intravenous) line to get fluids. You may be given pills or injections to help prevent contractions. Finally, you may receive medicine (corticosteroids) that helps your baby’s lungs mature more rapidly.

Are you at risk?

Any pregnant woman can have preterm labor. It may start for no reason. But these risk factors can increase your chances:

• Past preterm labor or past early birth

• Smoking, drug, or alcohol use during pregnancy

• Multiple fetuses (twins or more)

• Problems with the shape of the uterus

• Bleeding during the pregnancy

The dangers of preterm birth

A baby born too soon may have health problems. This is because the baby didn’t have enough time to mature. Some of the risks for your baby include:

• Not breastfeeding or feeding well

• Having immature lungs

• Bleeding in the brain

• Dying

Reaching term

Your goal is to get as close to term as you can before giving birth. The closer you get to term, the higher your chance of having a healthy baby. Work with your healthcare provider. Together, you can take steps that may keep you from giving birth too early.