Premature Labor

Premature labor (preterm labor) is when symptoms of labor occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy. (This is 3 weeks before your due date.) Premature labor can lead to premature delivery. This means giving birth to your baby early. Babies need at least 37 weeks of pregnancy for all the organs to develop normally. The earlier the delivery, the greater the risks to the baby.

In most cases, the cause of premature labor is unknown. But certain factors may make the problem more likely. These include:

• History of premature labor with other pregnancies

• Smoking

• Alcohol or substance abuse

• Low prepregnancy weight or weight gain during pregnancy

• Short time period between pregnancies

• Being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more

• History of certain types of surgery on the cervix or uterus

• Having a short cervix

• Certain infections

There are a number of other risk factors. Ask your healthcare provider to help you understand the risk factors specific to your case. Then find out what you can do to control or reduce them.

Contractions are one of the main signs of premature labor. A contraction is different from cramping. It may feel painful, and the belly (abdomen) may get hard. It can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Some women may feel only a sense of pressure in the belly, thighs, rectum, or vagina. Some may feel only the hardening of the uterus without pain or pressure. Or there may be a constant pain in the lower back, which spreads forward toward the belly. Premature labor is often treated with medicines. A hospital stay may be needed. If labor doesn't progress and you and your baby are both healthy, you may be discharged to continue care at home.