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From other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Preterm labor is when you go into labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy. If you deliver your baby before 37 weeks, it's a preterm birth. Call your doctor or midwife right away if you have any signs of preterm labor, which include vaginal bleeding, cramping, contractions, and your water breaking. You may be admitted to the hospital and monitored. Though the cause of preterm labor is often unknown, and preterm births happen to women with no risk factors, you may be able to reduce your chance of preterm labor by taking good care of yourself during pregnancy. What is preterm labor?If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open (dilate) after 20 weeks of pregnancy but before you reach 37 weeks, you're in preterm labor. It's also known as premature labor. If you deliver your baby before 37 weeks, it's called a preterm birth and your baby is considered premature. About 10 percent of babies in the United States are born prematurely. Eighty percent are spontaneous preterm births, which means the labor began on its own. You may end up having a spontaneous preterm birth if you go into labor prematurely, if your water breaks early (known as preterm premature rupture of membranes, or PPROM), or if your cervix opens prematurely with no contractions (known as cervical insufficiency). The remaining 20 percent of preterm births are planned for medical reasons. If you or your baby has a complication and isn't doing well, your medical team might decide to induce labor early or perform a c-section before 37 weeks. (This might happen if you have a serious medical condition such as severe or worsening preeclampsia, or if your baby has stopped growing, for example.) But going into preterm labor doesn't mean you'll have a premature baby. Between 30 and 50 percent of women who experience spontaneous preterm labor eventually deliver at 37 weeks or later. Signs and symptoms of preterm laborSigns and symptoms of preterm labor are like those of labor at full term. Call your midwife or doctor right away if you're having any of the following symptoms before 37 weeks:
These symptoms can be confusing because some of them, such as pelvic pressure or low back pain, are common during pregnancy, and sporadic early contractions may just be Braxton Hicks contractions. But it's always better to be safe than sorry, so call your healthcare provider right away if you're experiencing anything unusual at any time during your pregnancy. What causes preterm labor?Although the cause is often unknown, a variety of factors may play a role in preterm labor: InfectionUrinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections (such as chlamydia and gonorrhea), and some vaginal infections (such as trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis) may cause preterm labor. Substances produced by bacteria in the genital tract can weaken the membranes around the amniotic sac and cause it to rupture early. Even when the membranes remain intact, bacteria can cause infection and inflammation in the uterus, which may trigger a chain of events that leads to preterm labor. It's important to identify and treat any infection as soon as possible. Your provider may have checked (and treated you, if necessary) for STIs at your first prenatal visit. If you've had a previous preterm birth, you may also have been screened for bacterial vaginosis (BV). Because you can have a UTI without symptoms, your urine will be checked for bacteria early in pregnancy. Certain non-genital infections, such as a kidney infection, pneumonia, appendicitis, gum disease, food poisoning, and COVID-19, also raise your risk of preterm birth. Placental problemsHaving a problem with the placenta, such as placenta previa, placenta accreta, or placental abruption can cause vaginal bleeding and trigger preterm labor. A large uterusThe stretching of an excessively large uterus – which is sometimes the case when you're pregnant with multiples or have too much amniotic fluid – can lead to uterine contractions and preterm labor. Risk factors for preterm laborThere are a number of these, but keep in mind that most preterm births happen in women with no risk factors. Although it's impossible to say whether you'll go into labor prematurely, it may be more likely if you:
There also appears to be an association between high levels of stress, especially chronic stress, and preterm birth. The theory is that severe stress can lead to the release of hormones that can trigger uterine contractions and preterm labor. This may explain why women who are victims of domestic abuse have a higher risk for spontaneous preterm labor. Those who endure physical violence have the greatest risk, particularly if there's trauma to the abdomen. Preventing preterm laborYou can't control whether you go into labor early, but there are some ways to reduce your risk. Before pregnancy:
During pregnancy:
If you've had preterm labor in the past, your provider may recommend:
What to do if you're having premature laborIf you have any of the signs or symptoms of preterm labor listed above (such as vaginal bleeding, water breaking, cramping, or pelvic pressure) contact your doctor or midwife right away. If you're in preterm labor, you'll be admitted to the hospital and monitored. You may have:
You may also be given medications to help make the outcome safer for your baby:
Read more about how and when steroids are helpful during preterm labor. What will happen to my baby if I have a preterm birth?A baby's brain, lungs, liver, and other organs continue to develop in the final weeks of pregnancy, so babies born prematurely haven't had a chance for these organs to fully develop. They may have difficulty breathing, controlling their temperature, and feeding. They may have vision problems, hearing problems, and problems with their intestines and nervous systems. Preemies may also suffer developmental delays. Babies born before 32 weeks have a higher risk of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preterm birth and low birth weight account for about 17 percent of infant deaths (before one year of age). While preterm birth can cause serious health problems or even be fatal for a baby (particularly if it happens very early), many technological advances have been made to help treat preterm infants. Many preterm babies go on to lead healthy lives. If you have a preterm birth, your baby will have a team of healthcare professionals, including a neonatologist, caring for them. Depending on how early your preemie is born, they may need to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for some time (weeks or months). Traditionally parents are told to expect their baby to be in the NICU until their due date. Some babies are discharged earlier, others later. In the NICU, your baby will be monitored continuously. They'll be weighed at least once a day. It's a good sign once a preemie starts gaining weight at a steady pace. Your baby may also have tests to look for any problems they may have as a result of prematurity. These tests include:
Find out the outlook for a premature baby at 28, 31, 33, or 36 weeks. What causes preterm labor at 23weeks?When a woman has a spontaneous preterm birth at a very early gestational age (between 20 and 32 weeks gestation) the most common reason is infection or inflammation. In some cases, bacteria or viruses can cause an infection in your uterus, vagina, bladder, or some other part of your body. This can cause preterm birth.
What causes contractions at 23 weeks?After 20 weeks of pregnancy, you may have a tight feeling in your womb. These contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions (also known as false contractions) – they are your body preparing for giving birth, not the start of labour.
Can you go into labor at 23 weeks?Premature labor occurs between the 20th and 37th week of pregnancy, when uterine contractions cause the cervix, the mouth of the uterus or womb, to open earlier than normal. This can result in premature birth. Certain factors may increase a woman's chances of having premature labor, such as carrying twins.
How do I know if Im going into preterm labor?If you have any of these signs or symptoms before your 37th week of pregnancy, you may be experiencing preterm labor: Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual. Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down. Constant low, dull backache.
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