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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffPrompt recognition of preterm labor may help you prevent premature birth. Even months before your due date, be on the lookout for:
- Contractions that occur more than eight times each hour — you'll feel a tightening sensation in your abdomen, often reminiscent of menstrual cramps
- Low, dull backache
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Diarrhea
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Watery vaginal discharge — this may be amniotic fluid, which surrounds your baby in the uterus
When to see a doctor
If you develop any signs or symptoms of preterm labor — such as a watery vaginal discharge or regular contractions that occur more than eight times an hour — contact your health care provider or hospital right away. It's a good idea to keep phone numbers for these handy so that you can find them quickly.
If you're at risk of preterm labor or premature birth, your health care provider may recommend more-frequent visits.
- Lockwood CJ. Overview of preterm labor and delivery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2009.
- Behrman RE, et al. Preterm Birth: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press; 2007.
- Robinson JN, et al. Risk factors for preterm labor and delivery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2009.
- Preterm labor. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_1080.asp. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Management of preterm labor. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2003;82:127.
- Preterm labor. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp087.cfm. Accessed Oct. 7, 2009.
- Torpy JM, et al. Premature infants. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005;294:390.
- Hass DM, et al. Tocolytic therapy: A meta-analysis and decision analysis. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;113:585.
- Hovi P, et al. Glucose regulation in young adults with very low birth weight. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:2053.
- Stephens BE, et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome of the premature infant. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:631.
- Johnson JR, et al. Cervical insufficiency. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Rotteveel J, et al. Infant and childhood growth patterns, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure in prematurely born young adults. Pediatrics. 2008;122:313.
- McLenan D. Care of the high-risk neonate. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/165165325-12/0/2159/511.html?tocnode=58019811&fromURL=511.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-5974-5..00259-8_4198. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Pregnancy: Frequently asked questions. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/pregnancy_faq.asp. Accessed Oct. 7, 2009.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Premature infants. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Preemie_GoingHome.htm. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Parenting in the NICU: Becoming an informed parent. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/21295_6084.asp. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Coping with the NICU experience: The NICU roller coaster. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/21292_11191.asp. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Parenting in the NICU: Feeding your baby. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/21295_6091.asp. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
