Preterm labor and birth occur when a baby is born too early, specifically before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This can pose significant health risks to the baby, as the earlier a baby is born, the less developed their organs and systems are, which can lead to complications.
Preterm Labor
Preterm labor happens when a woman begins experiencing regular contractions that lead to cervical changes (thinning or dilation) before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Signs of Preterm Labor:
- Regular or frequent contractions (more than 4-6 per hour).
- Low, dull backache.
- Pelvic pressure or a feeling that the baby is pressing down.
- Mild abdominal cramps, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea.
- A change in vaginal discharge (watery, mucus-like, or bloody).
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
- Sudden gush or slow trickle of fluid, indicating water breaking prematurely.