Preterm labor

[Dave Paprocki]

Labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered preterm.

Babies born prematurely can have serious health problems.
The diagnosis of preterm labor is usually obvious.
Measures such as rest and sometimes drugs may be used to delay labor.
Antibiotics or corticosteroids may also be needed.

What causes preterm labor is not well understood. However, certain conditions may make it more likely:

Premature rupture of membranes
Previous preterm deliveries
Genital infections, including some sexually transmitted diseases
Infections of the kidneys or the membranes containing the fetus (intra-amniotic infection)
Structural weakness of the cervix (cervical insufficiency)
Pregnancy with more than one fetus
Abnormalities in the placenta, uterus, or fetus

A healthy lifestyle during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of preterm labor, as can regular visits to the doctor or midwife, who can then identify potential problems early.
Babies born prematurely can have serious health problems, such as bleeding in the brain. When there is bleeding in the brain, the brain may not develop normally, causing problems such as cerebral palsy. Thus, doctors try to prevent or stop labor that begins before the 34th week of pregnancy. Preterm labor is difficult to stop.