Monday, September 16, 2013

Day 14: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Preterm Labor

  • Preterm labor can happen to any pregnant woman. 
  • Some women have a higher risk than others.
  • Learn the signs of preterm labor.

When your baby arrives too early

Even if you do everything right during pregnancy, you can still have preterm labor. Preterm labor is labor that starts too early, before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Babies born too early may have more health problems or need to stay in the hospital longer than babies born on time.
No one knows for sure what causes preterm labor. Some women are more likely than others to have it.

Signs of preterm labor

  • Contractions every 10 minutes or more often
  • Change in vaginal discharge
  • Pelvic pressure
  • Low, dull backache
  • Cramps that feel like your period
  • Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

Reduce your risk of preterm labor and birth

Preterm birth is birth that happens before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. This is too soon, and your baby could be born with serious health problems. Preterm labor is labor that happens before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. If untreated, it can lead to preterm birth.
Preterm birth can happen to any pregnant woman. But it happens more often to some women than others, especially if they make certain lifestyle choices that may not be healthy for mom and baby during pregnancy.

How can you reduce your chances of having preterm labor and preterm birth? 

 

You may be able to reduce your risk of preterm labor and early birth. Here’s what you can do:

source: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/preterm-labor.aspx

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