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Preterm Labor - What Increases Your Risk
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
It is hard to predict who is at risk for preterm labor. Some women with risk factors do not have early labor. Others with no known risk factors do have early labor.
Preterm labor and preterm birth
Most premature births happen after naturally occurring, or spontaneous, preterm labor (as opposed to a medically necessary preterm birth, when the baby must be delivered as quickly as possible to prevent harm to mother or baby).
Experts say that spontaneous preterm labor is often the result of a combination of factors. Some of the most common medical risk factors for a spontaneous preterm birth are:
- Pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more. (Use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or superovulation increases the risk of multiple pregnancy, which carries a high risk of premature birth and resulting medical complications.3)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF), a type of ART. IVF twins may be born earlier than naturally conceived twins.3
- A past preterm delivery.
- Vaginal bleeding in the second trimester.
- Infection in the urinary or reproductive tract, including the vagina.
- Age younger than 18 years.
- Mother's low body weight for height (body mass index).
- Cigarette smoking during pregnancy.
- Frequent contractions.
Other factors that may increase your risk for premature labor include:
- Use of cocaine or methamphetamine.
- Too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).
- A significantly shortened cervix, as seen on ultrasound.
- A cervix that doesn't stay tightly closed until near your due date (incompetent cervix).
- A new pregnancy within 3 months of the end of your last pregnancy.
- Previous surgery on your cervix, such as a cone biopsy. Having a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) also raises preterm labor risk.4
- Low prepregnancy weight or low weight gain during pregnancy.
- Infection of the gums or periodontal disease has also been linked to preterm birth.2
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 10, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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