Pregnancy is a time filled with happiness, anticipation, and sometimes, uncertainty. As your due date inches closer, you might start thinking about the possibility of going into labor early. About 10% of babies in the U.S. are born prematurely, meaning they’re delivered before 37 weeks.
Risk Factors
In some cases, the cause of preterm labor is unknown. However, certain factors like infection, cervical problems, substance use, and some medical conditions are associated with a higher risk. Knowing the risk factors can give you an idea of how likely you are to experience premature labor.
- Pregnant with multiples: Preterm birth is also more common with multiples. In fact, it happens more often than not. On average, twins are born at 36.5 weeks, triplets are born at 33 weeks, and quadruplets are born at 31 weeks.
- Previous premature birth: If you’ve delivered a child prematurely before, you’re more likely to have another preterm birth, even if the initial cause was unknown.
- Infections: Infection is one of the most common causes of very early preterm birth (between 20 and 32 weeks). This can include uterine, vaginal, and bladder infections, as well as infections in the mouth.
- High blood pressure: Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) and preeclampsia can cause pregnancy complications, including preterm birth.
- Being underweight or overweight: Being underweight or overweight throughout pregnancy can increase a person’s chances of premature labor.
- Substance use: There are many dangers of smoking/vaping, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy, including an increase in the risk of preterm labor.
- Shortened cervix: As your body prepares for childbirth, your cervix (the opening of your uterus) shortens. When this happens earlier in pregnancy, the chances of delivering a premature baby are higher.
What to look for
There’s no surefire way to tell when you’ll deliver your baby, but it’s good to know the signs of preterm labor.
- Increased vaginal discharge: If you notice discharge that’s thick and mucousy, watery, or bloody, it could be a warning sign of premature labor.
- Backache: You may also notice a low, dull backache. The sensation might come and go or be more constant.
- Pelvic pressure: A feeling of pressure on your lower belly, like your baby is pushing down on your pelvis, can be a sign of preterm labor.
- Cramps: If you experience severe cramping in your lower abdomen — similar to menstrual cramps but more intense — it could actually be early contractions.
- Regular contractions: The most obvious sign of premature labor is regular contractions. If you’re contracting as often as every ten minutes, you should contact your healthcare provider right away.
Identifying preterm labor contractions
Because early intervention can help delay preterm labor, if you experience even one sign or symptom, contact your health care provider right away.
Your doctor may do a pelvic exam or a transvaginal ultrasound to see if your cervix has started to become thinner and open for labor. If you’re having contractions, your provider will monitor how strong they are and how far apart they occur. They may run some other tests to determine if you are really in labor or not.
Your provider may be able to recommend some treatment options to help stop preterm labor or improve your baby’s health before birth.
Reviewed by the Ovia Clinical Health Team
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Sources
- “Preterm Birth.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC. October 30, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm.
- “Preterm Labor: What Are the Causes and Symptoms?” University of Utah Hospital and Clinics. University of Utah Health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/womenshealth/pregnancy-birth/preterm-birth/preterm-labor-causes-symptoms.php.
- Michigan Medicine Healthwise Staff. “Premature Delivery in Multiple Pregnancy.” University of Michigan. University of Michigan. October 8, 2020. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa100355.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Preterm labor.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. December 24, 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preterm-labor/symptoms-causes/syc-20376842.
- “Recognizing Premature Labor.” UCSF Health. University of California San Francisco. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/recognizing-premature-labor.
- “Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor.” March of Dimes. March of Dimes. December 2020. https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/signs-and-symptoms-of-preterm-labor.aspx.
