Premature Labor

Premature labor (or pre-term labor) is labor that begins more than three weeks before you are expected to deliver your baby (but after the 20th week of pregnancy). Contractions (tightening of the muscles in the uterus) cause the cervix (lower end of the uterus) to open earlier than normal. It is important for you to learn the signs of premature labor so that you can recognize them and get help to stop it and prevent your baby from being born too early.

Pre-term labor may 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. Premature labor treatments include bed rest, fluids given intravenously (in your vein), and medications to relax the uterus.

If born prematurely after the seventh month, a baby would likely survive, but may need to stay for a short time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the hospital. If the baby is born earlier than the seventh month, he or she may 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 that you can recognize them and 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:

Contractions or tightening of the muscles in the uterus every ten minutes or more.
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 may 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, or diarrhea.
Decreased fetal movements (the baby does not kick as often as it usually does).

What Should I Do If I Have 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, preferably on your left side, 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

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. To time your contractions, at the beginning of one contraction and again at the beginning of the next contraction, write down the time.

If you have contractions every ten minutes or more often that do not go away within an hour after changing your position, relaxing, or drinking 2-3 glasses of water, call your health care provider. Also call your health care provider if the warning signs listed above worsen or if pain is severe and persistent.

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WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic