What is premature labor?
Premature or pre-term labor is labor that begins more than three weeks before
you are expected to deliver. Contractions (tightening of the muscles in the
uterus) cause the cervix (lower end of the uterus) to open earlier than normal.
Pre-term labor might result in the birth of a premature baby. However, labor
often can be stopped to allow the baby more time to grow and develop in the
uterus. Treatments to stop premature labor include bed rest, fluids given
intravenously (in your vein), and medicines to relax the uterus.
If born prematurely, a baby would be likely to survive after the seventh
month, but might need to stay for a short time in the neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU). If the baby is born earlier than seven months, he or she might be
able to survive with specialized care in the NICU.
What are the signs of premature labor?
It is important for you to learn the signs of premature labor so you can get
help to stop it and prevent your baby from being born too early. Premature labor
is usually not painful, but there are several warning signs, including:
- Four or more contractions or tightening of the muscles in the uterus in one hour.
- Regular tightening or low, dull pain in your back that either comes or
goes or is constant (but is not relieved by changing positions or other comfort measures)
- Lower abdominal cramping that might feel like gas pain (with or without diarrhea)
- Increased pressure in the pelvis or vagina
- Menstrual-like cramps
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Leaking of fluid from the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding
- Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Decreased fetal movements (The baby does not kick as often as it usually does.)
What should I do if I have any signs of premature labor?
Call your health care provider right away if you have:
- Leaking of fluid from the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding
- Sudden increase of vaginal discharge
Lie down and check for contractions if you have any of the following signs of premature labor:
- Menstrual-like cramps or abdominal cramps
- Low, dull backache
- Pelvic or vaginal pressure
- Changes in vaginal discharge
To check for contractions, place your fingertips on your abdomen. If you can
feel your uterus tightening and softening, you can then record how often the
contractions are happening. (See "Tightening of the Uterus.)
If you have four or more contractions in one hour that do not go away after
changing your position or relaxing, call your health care provider. Also, call
your health care provider if the symptoms noted here do not go away in one hour,
or if the pain is severe and persistent.
Timing your contractions
Write down the time at the beginning of one contraction and again at the
beginning of the next contraction.
What are false labor pains?
The muscles in your uterus will contract from about the fourth month of
pregnancy. Irregular, infrequent contractions are called Braxton-Hicks
contractions (also known as "false labor pains").
Sharp, shooting pains on either side of your abdomen (called round ligament
pain) that travel into the groin might result from the stretching ligaments that
support your growing uterus.
To ease your discomfort:
- Try changing your position or activity.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids (at least 6 to 8 glasses of water, juice, or milk per day).
- Try to rest.
What happens if your health care provider instructs you to go the hospital?
After talking to your health care provider about your signs of premature
labor, he or she might tell you to go to the hospital. Once you arrive:
- You will be asked to wear a hospital gown.
- Your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature will be checked.
- A monitor will be placed on your abdomen to check the baby’s heart rate
and evaluate uterine contractions.
- Your cervix will be checked to see if it is opening.
If you are in premature labor, you might receive medicine to stop labor so
your baby has more time to develop in the uterus. If the labor has progressed
and cannot be stopped, you might need to deliver your baby. If you are not in
premature labor, you will be able to go home.
References
- American Pregnancy Association.
www.americanpregnancy.org/. Accessed 8/3/2011.
- National Institutes of Health. Pregnancy: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
health.nih.gov/. Accessed 8/3/2011.
© Copyright 1995-2011 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 8/22/2011...#4498
