Health & Pregnancy

Understanding Preterm Labor and Birth -- the Basics

Who Has Preterm Labor? continued...

However, you are more likely to experience preterm labor or preterm birth if:

• You've had preterm labor or delivered a premature infant in the past (this is a most important risk factor)
• You're carrying more than one baby (twins or triplets)
• Your mother used the medication diethylstilbestrol (DES) while she was pregnant with you
• You have an abnormally shaped uterus or an abnormal cervix
• You've had a cone biopsy of your cervix
• You're younger than age 17 or older than age 35
• You got pregnant while using an IUD, and the IUD was left in place during pregnancy
• You were seriously underweight when you became pregnant
• You smoke or use cocaine or other street drugs
• You've had second-trimester miscarriages during previous pregnancies, or you've had three or more elective abortions
• You have preeclampsia, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, an infection, or other medical condition 
• You're not receiving prenatal care from a qualified health care provider
• You have a cervical infection, such as group B streptococci, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, or gardnerella
• Your job involves extremely strenuous, physical work