A pregnancy usually lasts for about 40 weeks. However, in some cases labor begins prematurely 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.
The signs of premature labor include regular, painful contractions, fluid or blood leaking from the vagina, dull to severe back pain, and pressure in the pelvic region.
In most cases, the causes of premature labor are unknown. However, certain factors like history of preterm labor, less interval between consecutive pregnancies, being pregnant with more than one baby, smoking and certain medical conditions like urinary tract infections(UTIs), diabetes and high blood pressure can increase the risk of preterm labor.
Growth happens throughout the pregnancy including the final months and weeks. For example, the brain, lungs, and liver need the final weeks of pregnancy to develop completely. Hence, doctors usually try to delay or stop preterm labor to let the pregnancy continue.
Prematurely delivered babies have a higher risk of health complications. While some premature babies do well, others, especially those born many weeks before the due date, need medical intervention and intensive care unit (ICU) care.
