What is preterm labour?

Going into labour before your 37th week of pregnancy is called preterm labour. Preterm labour 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 labour

If you believe you are having preterm labour, get medical help right away. If in doubt, get checked early. Once labour is established it is very difficult to stop. Contractions alone do not mean you are in preterm labour, however. What matters more are the changes in your cervix (the lower end of your uterus). Symptoms of preterm labour include:

• four or more contractions per hour
• strong contractions
• constant menstrual-like cramping
• low back pain
• mucous or bloody vaginal discharge
• bleeding or blood spotting after three months into your pregnancy.

Evaluating preterm labour

Your lead maternity carer will try to find out whether you are in preterm labour or whether you are just having contractions. They may keep watch on you for a few hours. The following tests may be done:

• pelvic exam to see if your cervix has effaced (thinned) and dilated (opened)
• uterine activity monitoring to detect contractions
• fetal monitoring to check the health of your baby.

Caring for yourself at home

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

• do fewer activities
• rest in bed, lying on your side.

When to call your lead maternity carer

Call your lead maternity carer if you notice any of these:

• four or more contractions per hour
• your water breaks
• bleeding or spotting.

If you need hospital care

Preterm labour often requires hospital care and complete bed rest. You may need an intravenous line through which fluids are given. You may also be given pills or an injection to help prevent contractions.

Are you at risk?

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

• previous preterm labour or early birth
• smoking and drug or alcohol use during pregnancy
• multiple fetuses (twins or more).

The dangers of preterm birth

A baby born too soon may have health problems. This is because the baby did not have enough time to mature. The baby is then at risk of:

• not breastfeeding well
• having immature lungs
• bleeding in the brain
• dying.

Reaching term

Your goal is to get as close to term (40 weeks) as you can before giving birth. The closer you get to term, the greater your chances of having a healthy baby. Work with your lead maternity carer. Together you can take steps to keep you from giving birth too early.

© 2001 The StayWell Company, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA USA 94066-3030 www.staywell.com (0800) 333-3032. All rights reserved. Original material reviewed by the Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, National Women’s Hospital, Auckland.