Preterm labor

• Preterm labor and birth can happen to any pregnant woman.
• Women can take steps to reduce the risk of preterm labor.
• Learn the signs of preterm labor and what to do about them.

We all want a healthy nine months of pregnancy. But sometimes, things may not go as planned. One out of every eight babies in the United States is born too early (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy). Premature birth can lead to serious health problems for the baby.

Preterm labor and delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. But some women are at greater risk than others. You can take steps to lower your chance of preterm labor. Know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what to do if they happen to you.

If you do go into labor early, you’ll need special care. For instance, some women may need a cerclage to help avoid preterm labor. Others may need special medicines when labor starts too soon.

Inducing labor or having a c-section too soon can lead to premature birth. Try to get as close to 39 weeks of pregnancy as possible. Those last weeks of pregnancy are important for your baby.

If you’ve had a premature baby before, you may be thinking about getting pregnant again. A promising new treatment that uses a drug called progesterone might be right for you. Talk to your health care provider.

It’s best if babies are born full term. So work with your health care provider to stay healthy. This will help lower your chance of having a premature birth.

See also: Thinking about pregnancy after premature birth, Progesterone treatment to prevent preterm birth, Why at least 39 weeks is best for your baby, Fetal fibronectin, Preterm labor: What dads can do