Preterm Labor

What You Should Know About Preterm Labor

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) provides complete prenatal care for pregnant moms and babies. This includes care for preterm labor, which can lead to premature birth.

Preterm labor occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This includes regular contractions that result in cervical change, such as dilation (opening of the cervix) or effacement (thinning of the cervix) in preparation for birth. In general, doctors work to avoid preterm labor because babies born preterm have an increased risk of these and other medical complications:

• Underdeveloped lungs
• Low birth weight

Risk Factors for Preterm Birth

Factors that can increase your risk for preterm birth include these and others:

Preterm Labor Prevention

If you have an increased risk for preterm labor, working to prevent it is the most important part of your prenatal care. Central to preventing early labor is your provider’s commitment to educating you and maintaining close contact.

It is critical that you understand what you can do to keep yourself healthy. Your care team will also educate you on how to know — as early as possible — if you are experiencing early labor. Your provider will recommend frequent visits and maintain communication by phone.

Signs & Symptoms of Premature Labor

If you’re at an increased risk for preterm labor, be aware of the signs and symptoms. In addition, your provider can teach you how to feel your uterus to know if you’re having contractions. Here are the most common signs and symptoms of early labor:

If you notice any of these signs, contact your prenatal provider right away or go to the closest emergency department.

Preterm Labor Treatment

If your provider has diagnosed you with preterm labor, your treatment may involve these steps:

If you’re in preterm labor, we may admit you to the antepartum unit in the hospital for close observation. If you experience PPROM, you are at risk of premature birth. We may admit you to the hospital for close monitoring.

It’s important to know that not all expecting moms who experience preterm contractions will have a preterm delivery.

World-Class NICU Care

If your baby is born too early, BIDMC’s newborn intensive care unit (NICU) offers the highest level of specialized care available. You can rest assured that your baby will receive the very best care for any health issues that may arise.