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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf preterm labor seems likely, your health care provider will check to see if your cervix has begun to dilate and whether the fetal membranes have ruptured. The duration and spacing of your contractions may be closely monitored. In some cases, your health care provider may use ultrasound to monitor the length of your cervix. A swab from the cervical canal may be tested for the presence of fetal fibronectin, a glue-like tissue that's discharged during labor.
If you're in preterm labor, you and your health care provider will discuss the risks and benefits of trying to stop your labor.
- 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.
